Three Words with Esther Vergeer

In the beginning, I was confronted with all the things that I couldn’t do anymore. I couldn’t run anymore, I couldn’t play outside anymore and that frustrated me.

But it was my parents’ choice not to let me sit in a corner and be moody and sad. Instead their approach was, “This is Esther. This is the situation. We are still a family, so let’s make the best out of it.”

I started playing sports in my rehabilitation center and I focused on the things that I could do and that I had fun with. I played tennis and basketball and as I progressed I saw that sport was making me strong physically but also strong mentally.

I started to re-find myself. I got more confident and became more independent from my parents. I liked the fact that I was able to help myself and work hard for myself.

I made small steps with everyday things. I was so positive about the fact that if I worked hard I would get better every single day. I believe that approach is what kept me one step ahead of my competitors. I always wanted to see what I could improve, whether that was mentally or physically or in materials for my wheelchair. I guess all those small steps kept me in front.

We all need to be more open. That’s really diversity. It sounds so simple and I know it’s the hardest thing to do. Every day I walk into walls, literally, of people seeing me differently to who I am. That frustrates me because sometimes you have no influence over those people.

That’s why I tell younger athletes to stay close to themselves. If society did that we would appreciate each other more and have greater respect for each other.

I’m a big promoter of more integration of Paralympic and Olympic sports. Now the two events are separated but it’s my dream to get those two worlds of disabled and able-bodied athletes together. I have a tennis tournament where I’ve started this integration of wheelchair tennis and able-bodied tennis.

I like showing the world who I am. I’m not a disabled person. I am not a hero athlete. I am just Esther.