Wearing four gold medals from the Rio Paralympics around her neck, wheelchair athlete Tatyana McFadden helped get students rolling at PS 333 on the Upper West Side on Sept. 20. McFadden, who is also the first athlete to win four of the world’s major marathons (Boston, Chicago, London and New York City) in the same year, visited PS 333 as an ambassador for the New York Road Runners’ Team for Kids. Team for Kids athletes raise money for free health and fitness programs in New York City schools sponsored by the New York Road Runners. Mighty Milers, one of the organization’s programs, is new to PS 333 this year. “It’s wonderful for children to see that they can do whatever they hope and dream to do,” said Jamie Diamond, a speech teacher at PS 333. “Just being in a wheelchair doesn’t keep them from accomplishing great things.” In the school’s gymnasium, McFadden spoke to a rapt audience of students with physical disabilities, telling them, “I was about your age when I tried sports for the first time, and I fell in love with wheelchair racing… . Other people doubted me, but I never doubted myself.” After McFadden spoke, students had the opportunity to test out racing wheelchairs that will be used in the New York Road Runners’ new wheelchair training program for children. Outfitted with special gloves and helmets, 8-year-old Grace and 12-year-old Maren could hardly contain their excitement. “It will take practice, but it’s cool!” said Maren, triumphantly pumping her fist as she and McFadden wheeled a victory lap around the gym. Special education teacher Samantha Friedman said the event was representative of the school’s mission. “Our school prides itself on being inclusive, and this is another way to get everybody involved,” she said. “It makes me feel really proud to work here.”
