Congratulations to Shawn Beam, 36, the Burleson, Texas, man who bowled a perfect game during league play on May 18. Twelve strikes in a row is a feat seldom accomplished by even the best bowlers in the world, and many kingpin enthusiasts go their entire lives without coming close. But what makes Beam’s accomplishment even more special is that he is the first freehand wheelchair bowler ever to reach the hallowed score of 300.
Beam’s score has been certified by both the American Wheelchair Bowling Association (AWBA) and the United States Bowling Congress (USBC). In this press release put out by the USBC, Beam talks about how he developed a passion for bowling and over time developed a knack for the game, as evidenced by his 190 league average.
For Beam, whose had to use a wheelchair all his life, bowling is a way to satisfy his competitive juices; but he also realizes the aspect of inclusion the sport affords people with disabilities. In the press release, he says:
The best thing about wheelchair bowling is you have that sense of camaraderie you have in sports. You don’t have to be good, because anyone can bowl and it’s fun for anyone no matter what your average is. But people can’t get discouraged because I’m a testament to how you can start with a low average and make it to the top with hard work and perseverance.
Fortunately, someone at the lane captured Beam’s triumphant moment on video, and it has been made available along with some words of wisdom from the man himself:
As we’ve noted before, people with disabilities are less likely to get regular exercise than others. But there is a growing number of programs provided in communities to help these people stay active. Likewise, programs like Unified Sports that pair young people with disabilities and other students in athletics provide a valuable lesson in inclusion for everyone who participates.
But Beam’s accomplishment demonstrates a different level of inclusion for people with disabilities, and how it can make life matter. As does this great story from the Detroit Free Press, which reports that the state of Michigan’s governing body for high school athletics is amending its rule against students ages 19 and over from playing on varsity sports teams.
Michigan joins 23 other states that provide a waiver for students with disabilities who are 19 years old to play high school sports. As Free Press reporter Mike McCabe notes, the change is thanks in large part to Dean Dompierre and his son Eric, who is a placekicker on the Ishpeming football team and guard on its basketball team.
The Dompierre family’s work to change the state rule was also the subject of a recent report by Jeremy Schaap for ESPN’s newsmagazine program, E:60. The video contains great footage of Eric’s exploits on the gridiron and hardwood.
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Image by Sam Howzit, used under its Creative Commons license.