by Madeline Puckett
This past weekend, I traveled with friends to Green Bay, Wisconsin, to visit my best friend. After a long six-hour car ride, we surprised her and made plans to go out to dinner—we decided on sushi.
At this particular restaurant, they had a few TVs scattered on the walls. In perfect view of our table was a large TV airing a professional Cornhole tournament. My friends and I LOVE Cornhole. We often play it during our annual camping trip.
If you live in the Midwest, you’re probably familiar with this game. And if calling it “Bags” feels more natural to you, I understand.
As we were watching and waiting for our sushi, a new tournament started. A player from Maryland was introduced—Dayton Webber—a quadruple amputee missing both of his forearms and legs.
Dayton’s limbs were amputated when he was just 11 months old due to a life-threatening bacterial infection.
However, this didn’t stop Dayton from joining a plethora of sports teams at a young age. In fact, when team members would ask how having this disability affected him, he’d simply respond—“it’s no big deal.”
In a recent sport’s article titled “The Most Awesome Kid In The World,” Dayton said,
“I just like to do sports, I feel like I can play sports and kind of show people what I can do, that I can do sports just as good as them. I feel like I can do anything if I just put my mind to it.”
I was in complete awe watching Dayton play. Not because of his disability, but because he was absolutely fantastic—getting almost every bag in the hole on each throw. I can only dream of being that good. He’s on TV for a reason!
I couldn’t stop telling my friends how destined this moment felt—“I need to write about this.”
Why? July is Disability Pride Month!
Historically, people with disabilities have been marginalized or misunderstood. The treatment and support for people with disabilities was met with segregation and discrimination.
Having a disability is only one quality and doesn’t define who a person is.
Being able to share one’s gifts and abilities makes our community a stronger, more vibrant place to live.
On that afternoon in Green Bay, I couldn’t keep my eyes off Dayton and his incredible ability.
A quick rundown on some history:
In July of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was formally passed into law—this law prohibits the discrimination against people with disabilities in several areas like:
And more– (like national Cornhole tournaments!)
Now every July, community events and festivals are held all over the country to celebrate every gift and every ability—in all capacities.
For me, I was mesmerized by Dayton’s gift and ability as a Cornhole professional.
So from Family Hope Foundation to you—Happy Disability Pride Month! We hope you experience and witness the vast gifts of ability this month and every month.
Madeline Puckett
Program Coordinator
p.s. July is just one special month where we can celebrate gifts and abilities. At Family Hope Foundation, we strive to celebrate all year round. If you want to learn more, check out these resources to read about Dayton and Disability Pride Month!
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