Growing up, my mom was always protective of me and my sisters. She feared the idea of us being athletic or participating in sports. As a child of the 50s, she likely had her reasons for this protective instinct. However, I found creative solutions to stay active and discovered my love for badminton. I joined my high school’s team and we were quite successful, even competing against schools that served as feeders for the US Olympic team.
As a ninth grader, I dreamed of wearing a team uniform and feeling validated as a member of the team. To this day, I still have the mesh uniform shorts tucked away in a box, a nostalgic reminder of my athletic achievements from twenty years ago. Despite the challenges and limitations I face in playing badminton now, the memories and sense of accomplishment from my high school days continue to bring me joy.