Blogmas 2016 – December 3rd!

Hey y’all! So today’s topic was Jesus Helped Others to See and So Can You.  I don’t really have anything super vision related that I could do… but there was a story on mormon.org of a paralympic man. So I thought I would share his story.. This is what he has written:

Hi I’m Jason Smyth

I’m Irish, I’m a 4 time Paralympic gold medalist, a world recorder holder, a husband and I’m a Mormon.

I was born and grew up in Ireland. I was diagnosed with an eye disease at 9 years old which has reduced my vision to under 10%. In spite of this I have been blessed to have achieved some fantastic things in my life thus far. I won gold medals in both the 100m and 200m In Beijing 2008 at the Paralympic Games whilst breaking both world records. At the Paralympic Games in London 2012 I repeated my achievements and won gold in both the 100m and 200m, again setting new world records and becoming the fastest Paralympic athlete ever. I narrowly missed out on making the 2012 Olympics by 0.04s. This was my first attempt in my quest to be the first visually impaired athlete to make both Games in the same Olympiad which I hope to achieve in Rio 2016. More importantly I am very fortunate to have recently got married for time and all eternity to my wonderful wife who is the greatest blessing in my life.

Hi I’m Jason Smyth

I’m Irish, I’m a 4 time Paralympic gold medalist, a world recorder holder, a husband and I’m a Mormon.

ABOUT ME

I was born and grew up in Ireland. I was diagnosed with an eye disease at 9 years old which has reduced my vision to under 10%. In spite of this I have been blessed to have achieved some fantastic things in my life thus far. I won gold medals in both the 100m and 200m In Beijing 2008 at the Paralympic Games whilst breaking both world records. At the Paralympic Games in London 2012 I repeated my achievements and won gold in both the 100m and 200m, again setting new world records and becoming the fastest Paralympic athlete ever. I narrowly missed out on making the 2012 Olympics by 0.04s. This was my first attempt in my quest to be the first visually impaired athlete to make both Games in the same Olympiad which I hope to achieve in Rio 2016. More importantly I am very fortunate to have recently got married for time and all eternity to my wonderful wife who is the greatest blessing in my life.

WHY I AM A MORMON

I have come to know that the teachings of the church are true, and that in living them I am a happier person. By following the teachings of the church I believe I am always striving to be a better person. It brings me great joy and comfort in my life to know where I was before I came to earth, why I am on this earth, and where I am going when I die. Perhaps one of the greatest comforts the church brings me is the knowledge that families are forever. My family is the most important thing in my life, and knowing that even after we die I will be with them gives me more happiness than I can express. Living the teachings of the church does not mean life is always easy, as we all experience difficulties in life, but I have learned as I trust in our Father in Heaven I will be better able to cope with them.

HOW I LIVE MY FAITH

My eyesight affects everything I do, even how I am able to live my faith. Sharing the gospel with others is valued in the church, because we want everyone to feel the joy of having the knowledge of our Heavenly Father and his plan for everyone on earth. I was not able to serve a traditional LDS mission as a young man because of my visual impairment. Instead I have been blessed with a talent that takes me all over the world and allows me to meet many different people. I try to use these opportunities to share some of the things I know through interviews, public speaking events, and by sharing my beliefs with the people I meet. An athlete’s life is a lifestyle choice, much the same as a lifestyle taught to live by the church. I do not drink alcohol, smoke, or do drugs of any kind. These things are some of the ways I live both my religion and my career. I have come to know and understand that the choices I make daily lead me to do better now, and will benefit me in the future.

 

I loved reading this story! No matter how cheesy they sound, hearing real life stories of people overcoming their infirmities is always a good thing. I hope you all liked reading this story!

Love y’all! – Aspen AKA The Author

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