Sermon Central
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Your Disability
Contributed by Shawn Drake on Oct 8, 2022 (message contributor)
I was asked, “What is Tharon’s greatest accomplishment”? That question really made me think hard. Tharon lost his memory at 14 years old. Every day when he woke up, he was like a 2 year old kid. I went with him to School every day and by the time we made it to Swim practice, he was 14. By the time a doctor figured things out, he started losing his sight. The daily amnesia stopped; but it wasn’t long, and he was completely blind.
He continued to swim and began to swim at an international level. He swam in numerous National Championships, Pan American Championships, World Championships, and the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio. He won 2 Silver Medals in Rio, 2 Gold Medals and 1 Silver Medal in 2017 World Championships; and many other medals at every level of competition. He has 11 standing National Records. Is this his greatest accomplishments? No.
Tharon lived at the US Olympic Training Center for over 5 years where he became good friends with people like Michael Phelps, Katie Ledecky, and many other well- known athletes. While living in Colorado Springs, Tharon and Paula worked with youth, (many who were homeless) at a small Church. He was a part of the Worship Ministry of the Church. Is this his greatest accomplishments? No.
3 days after Tharon and Paula’s wedding in Colorado Springs, Karen and I moved them to North Carolina where Tharon became the 1st blind NCAA coach in the history of the NCAA. Tharon was on CBS Evening News and won an ESPY award. Tharon was on the USA Swimming National Disability committee and created qualifying times for disabled swimmers at able bodied Swimming Meets. Tharon has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and a Master’s in Business Administration. Is this his greatest accomplishments? No.
There are many other accomplishments in his life, so what is his greatest accomplishment? Tharon has taught me and many other people about disabilities. His most well-known quote is what has guided him to all of his accomplishments- “Everyone has a disability- Mine is just more noticeable than most people’s. God can use any person’s disability for God’s glory if you will allow Him to do so.”
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