All The Answers You Didn't Know You Needed
Questions around life with a disability and as a para athlete are always surrounded with taboos. People are never sure if a question is appropriate to ask or how to, so they often don’t ask and just wonder. Some questions are hard to ask and some are even harder to answer. But I think one of the ways I can give back is to be able to use my personal experiences, vulnerability and honesty to answer some of these. So, last week, I put out the call on social media to ask me any questions, anonymously even, and I got quite a few.
Disclaimer: Some of these questions are more sensitive and personal in nature. May not be appropriate for all audiences. I debated heavily whether or not to answer them publicly at all, but I ultimately decided that being 100% honest with the inquirers about these more difficult questions was the best course of action. I understand how tough it can be to ask those sorts of questions especially when don’t have anywhere to turn for answers.
So, without further adieu, here we go.
Training and Para Sport
Q: What do you bench?
A: At the moment, my maximum bench is 70kgs. This fluctuates throughout the year depending on what phase of training I’m currently in.
Q: Do you still use kettlebells?
A: I do! Because of my limited hand function I quite often replace dumbbells for kettlebells. Being able to loop my hands through the handle means I can lift and control the weight far more safely.
Q: How fast do you do a 100m in?
A: My personal best time in a race is 17.30 seconds. I’ve managed to do some quicker times in time trials this year so I’m hoping I can replicate them when I race next.
Q: What type of gloves do you use?
A: Harness gloves, they are a soft leather/ rubber mitt that wraps your whole hand up in a pushing position. (see photo)
Q: What’s your favourite racing moment?
A: My first Paralympics. Coming back from a second broken neck in 9 months to line up to race is something I’ll always be proud of and a moment I’ll never forget. Hearing my name called out on the start line, racing my heart out, and crossing the finish line was one of those moments you only get a few times in a lifetime, if that. Proud, buzzing, exhausted and in disbelief in what I had just done.
My Gloves
Q: What’s your top speed in that thing?
A: My current top speed on the athletics track is just over 28kph. Out on the road going down hills I’ve hit 60kph… I could for sure go faster but its 100% terrifying and I’m in no hurry to lose all my skin or break my neck a third time.
Q: How light are they?
A: My current race chair weighs in at 8.3 kgs.
Q: How's the body and what age do you see retirement?
A: Right now, my body is still constantly changing and improving. I’ve been incredibly lucky not to have had any serious injuries during my sporting career and, “touch wood”, it’ll stay that way. As far as retirement goes, I’m not sure. My major goal right now is Tokyo next year. I'll have to reassess my future after that to see how and if I can fit it in around work and study commitments.
Health and Body
Q: How's your iron levels going?
A: At the moment my iron levels are tracking okay, I keep an eye on them regularly to make sure they stay within a healthy range.
Q: How big is the infamous Mac Snozz?
A: Not sure how one measures a Snozz but I’d say a 9/10.
Q: What shade of blue are your eyes?
A: They’re mostly blue or maybe grey-blue… or… some combination of #557190, #4F5B7F, #313E43, #2D393E…ish.
Q: What’s your wingspan?
A: Last time I checked it was roughly 184cm.
Family and Home Life
Q: What moisturizer do you use?
A: Currently, I’m using a Korres Body Milk, and Kiehl's Facial Fuel Energizing Moisturizer.
Q: Is Daisy still mad at me?
A: Daisy (the family Labrador) never stays mad at anyone, give her a quick scratch behind the ear and she’ll be sure to forgive all souls.
How could she stay mad at anyone!? Look at that face!
Q: Is your sister secretly a superhero?
A: Without a doubt she is a superhero, she has always been one of my biggest supporters, whether it’s throwing me over her shoulder to carry me up a staircase or cheering me on from the grandstands all around the world. Even running onto the track jumping barriers and running past security to come check on me when my chair got flipped in Rio 2016.
Rio 2016. Post-flip. Look, I’m okay!
Q: Does Adam McIntosh actually exist?
A: This is a long running debate… The answer might shock you. But yes, my brother does in fact exist. Makes a mean lamb roast, too.
Music
Q: Favourite Ke$ha song?
A: TiK Tok, for sure.
Q: Elvis or the Beatles?
A: Beatles for the music, Elvis for the films.
Q: What song best represents your teen years?
A: All Time Low… the whole So Wrong, It’s Right album. 2007, eat your heart out.
Disability
Q: Do you have feeling in your lower body (legs / feet)?
A: I do yes, although it is limited and quite dull, you can read more about my injury and quadriplegia facts in my SCIs in the media blog post.
Personal Questions
Q: Why is your hair so long?
A: My regular hairdresser moved to another state, so out of nothing but panic over finding a new regular I managed to put off getting it cut for entirely too long. I've given in and got it cut now for three main reasons:
It was starting to really long and block my vision while I was training in my race chair.
I was starting to give myself whiplash from frequently flicking it out of my eyes.
Seeing myself reverting back to my 17 year old self.. Nobody needs that.
Young Sam. The fringe though.
Long Hair, Avoiding Getting a Haircut Look
Post-Haircut Sam!
Q: How’d you get so pretty?
A: I’m not…thanks, though *blush*
Q: Who is this ever elusive ‘Q’ you so fondly speak of?
A: Q is adorable as she is elusive. Ever so charismatic and incredibly warm-hearted, she's always my biggest fan. I’d fill you in more but it would ruin the mystique! ;)
Q: What advice would ‘old Sam’ give to ‘young Sam’ if you could travel back in time?
A: Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Don’t be scared by taking a chance and following your heart. Most of all be kind and compassionate to everyone around you… also invest in Apple.
Q: Do you like traveling?
A: One of my favorite things to do is to travel and explore. As a kid I was fortunate to be able to see quite a bit of this amazing country during family road trips on school holidays. It instilled a real passion to explore and see as much of this incredible blue ball we live on. I’ve been really fortunate during my sporting career to have had the opportunity to race in all sorts of countries, too. It's a privilege that I never take for granted.
Q: Did you study? What?
A: I’ve studied personal training and small business in the past. I enjoy sport and love the benefits from being active and keeping fit. I am planning on going back to school to study in the next year, and, as much as I love sport, I’ll need to grow up, join adulthood, and start working proper hours at some stage!
Miscellaneous Questions
Q: Is global warming a hoax?
A: No. Read a book and open up a news paper. T h e A m a z o n w a s o n F i r e, P e o p l e.
Q: Comment ça va?
A: Je vais bien merci de demander :)
Q: Is it Disneyland or Disney world that’s in LA?
A: Disneyland is in Anaheim, in the state of California, just south of LA. I’ve only been once with Q and I can't wait to get back again… to the point we have talked about traveling the world to visit every park. Please and thank you.
Q: Do you think your accident changed your life for the better or worse since racing has taken you around the world?
A: Having not lived the life I would have as ‘able-bodied Sam’, it's impossible to say. However, what I can say is that the injury has allowed me to experience a whole new and exciting chapter of my life. Being an elite athlete is one of those ‘for the better’ scenarios, traveling around the world and representing my country is something rebellious teenage me would not have imagined. Another massive positive from my injury is being able to take my experiences and inspire others. Hopefully, I’m instilling a sense of confidence and understanding in the younger generation to make the world a better place for everyone.
Sensitive Questions
Q: Did you have, do you have, psychological issues because of your injury?
A: Have I got psychological issues because of my injury now? No, I don't believe I do. Did I have them when I first had my injury? Yes, absolutely I did. When something as big and immense as this happens, you have to rethink and relearn how you approach and live your life. This comes with massive psychological stress and fatigue. I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by incredibly supportive and positive people the whole way through my post-injury recovery which, without a doubt, helped me move on and be confident in this new chapter of my life.
Q: Do you feel equal to a walking man?
A: Interesting question...Having been an able-bodied person for more than half my life and now experiencing life as someone with a disability, I’d have to say that this answer is more complex than a simple yes or no. As far as my self-worth, self-confidence, outlook on life and aspirations, I, of course, see the world differently, but I see no reason to label it unequal. As for the fact that this world, buildings, and infrastructures weren’t designed with people like me in mind, sometimes that can be very off-putting and then I’m reminded that there is a lot of work that still needs to be done for true equality.
Q: How do you go in a relationship talking about sex?
A: For me personally, I’ve always found that being upfront and honest about my functions when the topic comes up is the best way to go. You can’t change what you have to work with and sooner or later it's going to be pretty obvious what does and doesn't work!
Q: Gay athletes in your field, is there many?
A: There certainly are gay para athletes. Of course, having a disability in no way changes your sexuality.
Q: How do you feel about Devotees and Pretenders?
A: For those of you unaware of these terms, “Devotees” are people who are attracted in a sexual manner towards people with disabilities and “Pretenders” are people who identify as disabled, although they have never been diagnosed with a disability, and mimic certain aspects of a disability and disabled life. As a person with a disability on social media I can assure you devotees are out there. Quite a few time now I’ve been messaged inappropriate things, have had my photos posted on fetish pages and have had fake profiles made with my image. While I’m sure these are just the outliers of a group of people with a particular fetish who take these extreme actions, it does make me a little more apprehensive about my digital presence. As far as pretenders go, I have no personal experience with people with that identity. While it seems odd to me that someone would elect to identify as disabled, I acknowledge that I’m unfamiliar with the thoughts and feelings behind this identity.
Hopefully you’ve continued to read down to this point in the questions, because I’ve found them really interesting to read and answer. I appreciate all the questions: the silly, the thought-provoking, and the personal. I hope that my honest answers give you all a glimpse into my life and have quelled some of your curiosities about many subjects. Thank you so much to everyone who submitted. I’ll do another Q&A in the future so if you missed out on asking a question or have more you’d like to know, you’ll get your chance soon. Catch you all next week, I’m off now to watch an Elvis movie and moisturize…