I have been writing this dignity blog since July 2020. I started posting my thoughts online in June of 2021. I never knew I would have so much to write about. The stories I share and the thoughts I type on this blog are the stories of a man who spent much of his life living in silence. I cannot believe how many people tell me they look forward to reading my message every Friday. It is the reason I continue to write. My hope is that my stories will help someone along the way who is struggling or just needs a message of hope. What a blessing I have been given because for much of my life I had trouble with writing and speaking. It is why I was always quiet. I was made fun of because of the way I wrote and spelled or the way I stumbled and mumbled trying to put my thoughts together. It made me feel less than so I would just remain silent. It was something that took me years to overcome.
Having an intellectual disability and not realizing you have it can make you feel many things about yourself. None of those thoughts were ever positive. But when I realized it had nothing to do with me, not being smart enough. My brain was just wired differently so I had to train it to learn differently. It took me well into my twenties to figure it out, but when I did a whole new world opened for me and I had this sense of belonging and believing I have something to offer, and that I can make a difference. I think it is why I enjoy coaching the students on the Wahconah Unified Track team. They are my inspiration like my son who has been able to overcome his learning challenges by the time he was sixteen and because of this he wants to teach kids with disabilities.
Anyone who has a challenge in their lives or is struggling if you want to find some hope you will find it in the students that participate in unified sports. They don’t allow their physical or intellectual disabilities to stop them from reaching their goals. Whether they are running or throwing the shot put their goal is to do their best and never give up. Even when running a race and they are too tired to run any more, the other athletes will cheer them on and even run alongside them until they cross the finish line even if they are not on their team. Unified sports are more than just a battle to win, it is the opportunity to go above and beyond what anyone thought you could do, and it is the greatest sight to see.
Dignity lives in unified sports. No matter who you are or where you come from, it is a place of belonging. These students teach me about leadership, teamwork, and compassion for others. When I am at a track meet it is 2 hours of true joy. I cannot tell you what it means when I hear the kids call me coach. They inspire me to be better and do better. It was unified sports that turned my son into a leader. It is a place where I feel like I am somebody. I am Coach Redd and they are my teammates. I hope I give them back what they give to me and that is hope.
To the Wahconah Unified Track Team, thank you for welcoming me as your coach. You are truly what I inspire to be, and that is someone who honors dignity, when the world gets hard to never give up, and always help and inspire those in need.
You are Dignity warriors
Charles Redd RN
Dignity Freedom Fighter
Dignity Freedom Fighter 