Linden High School Senior Turns Disability into Success
digitalsportsnews
| January 12, 2015
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Ever since his premature birth in 1996, Matthew Tohon has had a challenging life. Despite his physical disabilities, he doesn’t make “I can’t” a part of his vocabulary. The Linden High School senior exemplifies courage, strength, and academic and athletic excellence in his community. After only six months of life, Tohon became paralyzed from the waist down after a spinal hemorrhage. He was unable to walk for the first three years of his life. With the assistance of a Physical therapist, leg braces, and forearm crutches, he was able to learn how to walk, starting with areas around the house.
"From the second grade up, I was able to attend public city district schools, but not without some complications concerning the wheelchair accessibility of the schools I went to," said Matthew, who recalled attending a school for children with special needs from preschool to first grade. "But, all was well with the support of my parents, therapists, and school social workers." Tohon’s courage and desire to stay involved in athletics put him in the spotlight for organizations that cater special needs athletes. Six years ago, Matthew joined the North Jersey Navigators Paralympic Sports Club, which introduced him to wheelchair track and field, archery, and swimming. "I've participated in multiple national and international competitions as well as local marathons," said Matthew, who competed in July in his fourth National Junior Disability Championships in Iowa. There, he earned first place in 19 of his events. "In August, I represented the United States in my second IWAS (International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports Federation) Junior World Championships games in Stoke Mandeville, England, in which I received a bronze medal for the 1500-meter wheelchair race."
Just this past September, Matthew participated in his second Westchester Paratriathlon, in Rye, New York. Matthew never stops challenging himself, and in doing so, must be diligent when it comes to training. "I go to training three times a week, with swimming on Wednesday, track on Fridays and archery on Saturdays," he said. "I also train every day on racing chair simulation except for Sundays. Two upcoming competitions this summer – the National Junior Disability Championships (scheduled to take place in New Jersey) and the next IWAS Junior World Championship games in the Netherlands – will test the extent of his rigorous training. And, he never fails to top his previous records. "Every year, time wise, has to be an improvement against the year before," he added about what motivates him to push harder with every competition.
This superstar doesn’t just stop at athletic achievement; he pushes himself academically as well. Matthew has participated in the Ivy baccalaureate program, and continues to excel in all of his honors classes. "I just received the Principal's Honors Award for students earning straight scores over 90," he said, a scholastic honor bestowed upon him since 2008.Linden High School Principal, Yelena Horre feels that Matthew is a very positive role model and represents the school well. “He shows what hard work and perseverance can accomplish. I am confident that he can accomplish anything he puts his mind to,” says Horre.
Matthew doesn’t see his disability as a limitation, rather, a challenge to push further and do better than he previously has. As he reflects on what being a part of the Linden High School community has meant to him, Matthew says, "I will remember how the staff tried really hard to congratulate me during the last couple of years and it's surprising because they always take the time despite all they juggle that they still take the time out to recognize that." Leaving us with a piece of this inspiring young man’s word, Matthew adds, “You don't have to be the millionaire of the future or have a top-paying job to be happy in life. Just set goals for yourself and don't pay attention to what others are doing because that will only slow you down.”
