Paralyzed on one side and basically breathing with one lung, Jason Draper is a fencing hero
Jason Draper is the very first youth
wheelchair (WC) fencer in the U.S and the youngest WC fencer ever to compete in a North American Cup. One year ago his Mother signed him up for a class and he’s never looked back.
Though Draper fences both foil and epee, he enjoys foil more “because I’m better at it” he says.
A chess fan, Jason says he enjoys the sport because it’s more mentally challenging than others he’s tried. His goal: is to compete at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.
"....With a sudden burst of energy, fourteen-year-old Jason Draper lunges toward his older, more accomplished opponent and brings his sword crashing down. There are two minutes left in the match, and the five-foot four-inch, hazel-eyed teen faces an almost insurmountable challenge. He's down fourteen to eight.
A mere arm's length apart, the pair locks swords in midair. They duel for domination, each trying to calculate and anticipate the other's next move. Any nervousness Jason might feel is hidden by a stainless-steel mesh mask that covers his face and neck.
With hawklike precision, Jason spots an undefended gap, swoops past a gloved hand, and scores by jabbing the tip of his two-pound épée into his opponent's white suit...."By JOANNE GEEN
Published on July 03, 2007
Click to read Kris' Story in her own words
http://www.gloriacrider.com/KrisPage3.html
