BY DANIEL CASTAÑEDA

Kirk Wint is an exemplary athlete who is motivated by his love of sports and an active lifestyle. When people describe Kirk, the first words that pop up in their heads are determined and active. Kirk's active lifestyle creates a perspective that lets him view the world as his playground. Growing up, Kirk wanted to be a pilot; he still holds this dream today.

His aspirations may not seem so distant after his success at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games. Abject poverty stood between him and his desire for inclusion, but it did not break him; his strong will prevailed. Growing up, Kirk had limited function of his legs, but his parents could not afford to buy him a brace that would help him walk. Without the brace, Kirk's condition could not be rectified, and as such, he is not able to walk on his legs. Instead of giving up, Kirk learned how to walk and run using his arms and knees. He successfully ran in his own way at the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019. The 2019 World Games was not his first time representing Jamaica; he has previously competed with Special Olympics before. Kirk, a 17-year-old Special Olympics Jamaican athlete, was born with both intellectual and physical disabilities, yet he does not allow them to define who he is.

When he arrived in Dubai for the first time, where his competitions were taking place, he couldn't keep himself from looking up at the sky in awe. He was astonished by the buildings and the lights there, the image of a city that he could have never imagined, right in front of his very eyes.

Kirk has spent years training as a Special Olympics athlete and when he earned a chance to represent Jamaica on the world stage, he didn't take it for granted. Working hard and not giving up, Kirk ran and crossed the finish line of his 50m dash race. He kneeled down, resting his hands on the ground in front of his body. He then slowly dragged his feet towards his arms. He started running, gnashing his teeth and using his arms to support himself. He felt as if his knees were being pierced by sharp arrows. He closed his eyes, he told himself that he could do it and kept moving forward.

He opened his eyes and suddenly people were clapping and cheering for him. When he finished, a silver medal was resting on his chest and he wore it proudly. At age 17, he made it.

Kirk winning a silver medal in the 50m dash and a bronze medal in the softball throw were not the only achievements he went home with that day. He had received a shout- out from his idol, Usain Bolt, a fellow Jamaican. Bolt congratulated Kirk on his success; he wrote on Facebook "Kirk Wint Jamaican Special Olympic Athlete won Silver medal in 50m dash at the Special Olympic World Games in Dubai. Respect goes out to all Special Olympians #AnythingIsPossible #DontThinkLimit." Kirk admires Bolt "Kirk was so excited that he could not at the time and still cannot stop talking about Usain Bolt congratulating him." his mother stated, "That's all he talks about." Kirk shares a very special bond with his mother, in fact, they are so close that after he ran 50 meters in 15.06 seconds his first words were "I love you, mommy." Kirk's coach, Andre Johnstone, told the International Sports Press Association that his mom is the person he leans on when he is tired, who holds his hand when he is laughing. Not only is Kirk a devoted loving son, but he is also a twin! Kirk and his twin sister share a bond that cannot compare to others and, as twins, they are supportive of each other.

BLAZING HIS OWN PATH: (Opposite page) Kirk runs at the Special Olympics World Games Abu Dhabi 2019; (Above, left to right) Kirk trains for a softball competition; Kirk with the Hon. Prime Minister and the Hon. Minister of Sports; and Kirk with Lorna Bell (left) and Timothy Shriver (middle).

When Kirk is not racing and being paid tribute by his idol, he attends school at the Lyssons Centre of Excellence. At school, Kirk is a bright student who strives to do his best. His teacher describes him as "amiable, easy to teach, fits in very well," and that "there's nothing that he thinks he cannot do."

Kirk's achievements have now opened doors for a wave of new runners to participate in sports they never thought they could be part of. Few people believed in Kirk's ability to achieve this due to his disability, but Kirk, the hard-working person he is, showed the world that there is no definitive way to do something you love. Set the goals you want and have a drive for success, and you can achieve any thing your heart desires. Kirk is an inspiration to athletes all around the world showing that determination and being passionate are keys to success. Fans will continue to root for Kirk Wint and look forward to hearing more of his success in the future. •

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Daniel Castañeda is a Special Olympics intern and rising sophomore at The George Washington University in Washington, DC.