Story of Indiana Powerlifter is More Than Inspiring, It’s Uplifting

By Janelle Guthrie

July 2, 2018

When Special Olympics coach W.L. Newby first met athlete David Paul six years ago, David was in a wheelchair. This week, David’s not only walking, he’s representing the state of Indiana as a powerlifter in the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games in Seattle.

David, who’s now 22, was born four months premature and has faced a lot of challenges growing up. Along the way, he has met and overcome each one – a truly inspiring example of the Games’ theme of “Rise with Us.”

Over the years, coach and athlete have set goals and worked diligently to achieve them. According to David’s father, Tim Paul, two were very specific: to walk up the double set of steps at David’s school without holding onto the railings and to be able to walk across the stage to accept his diploma at his high school graduation.

After achieving his initial goals, David and his coach set the bar even higher: to become an athlete who competes in the 2018 Special Olympics USA Games. After a lot of hard work and training, David realized his goal and was able to travel for the first time in his life – to the Emerald City of Seattle.

Newby says David’s story should be a source of inspiration for us all.

“A lot of times, people will just say okay, so sorry, and push you aside,” Newby said. “David shows us what can happen if you work hard and believe.”

For more about David’s incredible journey, read A Golden Age, featured in Electric Consumer, the Indiana electric cooperative community’s award-winning publication.