A member of the American Paralympics gold medal rugby team wants to change the way people think of those with disabilities.

To celebrate Disability Awareness week, Mark Zupan will speak on "Smashing Stereotypes One Hit at a Time" at UVU, Friday at 1 p.m.

While a college student, Zupan became paralyzed following a car accident. Despite his challenges, he went on to graduate from Georgia Tech University, where he also learned to play rugby.

"Like many other student athletes, he had to balance his education and a sport," said Ed Martinelli, director of the accessibility services department at UVU.

Zupan's rugby team went on to win a bronze medal in Athens and a gold medal in the Beijing Paralympics.

Michael Brooks, director of BYU's accessibility center, watched "Murderball," a film in which Zupan stars. After watching the film, Brooks suggested Zupan to be a motivational speaker for the Association of Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) in Utah.

Brooks said they have never had a person with a disability speak and said Zupan has an assertive approach of meeting the challenges of life head on. Brooks said he could not think of anyone who would not benefit from going.

"I hope they'll take the message that no matter what your disability is, you can make anything you want out of your life," Brooks said.

He also said he hopes people will be inspired to put more effort into their lives after seeing what Zupan has done with his.

Zupan is meeting with President Bush this week to be honored for his accomplishments and will fly straight from Washington to give his speech at UVU, said Carolyn Johnson, assistant director of UVU accessibility services.

Johnson said she wants more awareness of what the abilities of people with disabilities are. One of her favorite quotes from Zupan is, "It's cool to actually show people that just because you're in an accident or something in life goes wrong, it doesn't mean you have to pack up and say 'I'm done.'"

Martinelli said he is looking forward to Zupan giving a "no nonsense" report on what it is like to have a disability. He said sometimes people go to this type of speech and come away feeling pity for those with disabilities, but this speech will be different. Zupan will encourage people to see the person, not the disability, Martinelli said.

"I think most students with disabilities don't want to be pitied," Martinelli said. "They want the opportunity to show what they can do along with everyone else."



Copyright Brigham Young University 8 Oct 2008