Roger Crawford had everything he needed to play tennis — except two hands and a leg. When he was born, he didn't have palms but only a thumb-like projection (突起物) extended directly out of his right forearm and a thumb and one finger stuck out of his left forearm. He had only three toes on his shrunken right foot and an undeveloped left leg which was later cut off.
The doctor said Roger suffered from a rare disease affecting only one out of 90,000 children born in the United States and he would probably never walk or care for himself. Fortunately, Roger's parents didn't believe him. "My parents always taught me that I was only as disabled as I wanted to be," said Roger. "They never allowed me to feel sorry for myself or take advantage of people because of my disability.
Roger could swing a tennis racket (球拍). Unfortunately, when he swung it hard, his weak hold usually launched it into space. By luck, Roger found an odd-looking tennis racket and accidentally put his finger between its double-barred handle when he picked it up. The close fit made it possible for Roger to swing, serve and volley (截击) like an able bodied player. He practiced every day and was soon playing — and losing — matches.
But Roger never gave up. He practiced hard and the surgery on the two fingers of his left hand enabled Roger to hold his special racket better, greatly improving his game. Although he had no role models to guide him, Roger became crazy about tennis and in time he started to win.
Roger went on to play college tennis, finishing his tennis career with 22 wins and 11 losses. He later became the first physically disabled tennis player to be certified as a teaching professional by the United States Professional Tennis Association. Roger now tours the country, speaking to groups about what it takes to be a winner, no matter who you are.
