Josiah Johnson is not your average 13-year-old. He was born without legs, but that didn’t stop him from pursuing his passion for basketball. He made the middle school team at Marion C. Moore School in Louisville, Kentucky, and has become a star player and an inspiration to many.
Johnson started playing basketball in kindergarten, and never let his disability get in the way of his dreams. He said he wanted to challenge himself and prove that he could do anything he set his mind to. He also wanted to show others that disability is not an inability.
He impressed his coaches and teammates with his skills, determination and positive attitude. He can dribble, pass, shoot and steal the ball from his opponents. He can also make long shots from beyond the three-point line, as he did in a recent game that made the crowd go wild.
Johnson’s story has attracted national attention and admiration. He has been featured on CBS News, Face2Face Africa, News18 and Outkick. He has also received messages of support from celebrities like NBA star Steph Curry, who invited him to a game.
Johnson is not alone in his achievements. According to a 2009 report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, over half of people with a sight, hearing or speech disability participated in sport (53% or 1.1 million). The participation rate was slightly lower for people with a physical disability (48% or 2.0 million) or a psychological disability (46% or 365,500). The participation rate for those with an intellectual disability was 42% (149,700). These statistics show that people with disabilities can excel in sports and physical activities, despite the barriers they may face.
Some of the common barriers that people with disabilities face in sports are:
- Psychological barriers: such as low self-esteem, lack of confidence, fear of failure or injury, negative stereotypes or discrimination from others.
- Accessibility barriers: such as inadequate facilities, equipment or transport, lack of ramps, doors or lifts, or poor communication or signage.
- Knowledge and awareness barriers: such as lack of information, guidance or support, lack of trained coaches or staff, lack of role models or media coverage.
- Cost barriers: such as high fees for membership, equipment or transport, lack of funding or subsidies.
To overcome these barriers and promote inclusion of people with disabilities in sports, various initiatives and strategies have been developed at local, national and international levels. These include:
- Providing adapted sports and activities that suit the needs and abilities of different groups of people with disabilities.
- Improving the accessibility and quality of facilities, equipment and transport for people with disabilities.
- Raising awareness and education among the general public, sports providers and people with disabilities about the benefits and opportunities of sports participation.
- Providing training and support for coaches, staff and volunteers who work with people with disabilities.
- Offering financial assistance or incentives for people with disabilities to join sports clubs or programmes.
- Creating more opportunities for people with disabilities to compete at different levels, from grassroots to elite.
Johnson said he hopes to inspire other people with disabilities to pursue their passions and overcome their challenges. He said he doesn’t see himself as different from anyone else, and he doesn’t let anything hold him back.
He said his motto is “Just do it”, and he lives by it every day.
We want to celebrate Josiah today. You are an incredible and brave young man. You are truly a Rising African and an able role model for the new African. Rising Africa is a dynamic platform that highlights the remarkable achievements of Africans worldwide and provides up-to-date information on scholarships and sponsorships available to African youth. Our vision is to inspire and empower the next generation of African leaders by showcasing the diverse accomplishments and talents of Africans across different fields, including technology, business, arts and culture, and social activism.
Through our Success Stories portal, we celebrate Rising Africans of all ages and sectors who have risen above challenges and made impactful innovations. Our Wonder Kids section features young achievers aged 1-12, while the Super Teens category highlights those aged 13-19, and Young Achievers profiles those aged 20-30. We also have dedicated portals for Women in Africa and persons living with disabilities.
In addition to celebrating African achievement, our Opportunities portal connects African youth to the latest sponsorship, scholarship, awards, and other life-changing opportunities. By providing access to these opportunities, we aim to empower African youth to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact in their communities.
At Rising Africa, we believe in the limitless potential of Africans to create a prosperous future for the continent. Join us in celebrating African excellence and building a brighter future for Africa.
References:
- Teen born without legs inspires on the basketball court – CBS News
- “You would have thought Steph Curry was in the gym”: Teen born without legs makes basketball team – CBS News
- Josiah Johnson Makes Basketball Team | Face2Face Africa
- This Middle School Basketball Player Has No Legs And Yet…
- 13-Year-Old Born Without Legs Shines On Middle School Basketball Team
- Participation in Sport by People with a Disability – Australian Bureau of Statistics
- Disability, barriers and encouraging inclusion in sports – BBC Bitesize
- What Are the Main Barriers People with Disabilities Face in Sports? – Verv
- People with disability | Australian Sports Commission
- Disability and sport – Sportscotland
- Overcoming barriers to exercise with a disability – Fitness Enhancement
