Maggie Redden '99: Paralympian
When Maggie Redden was admitted to Kindergarten at Mustard Seed School, she faced a huge challenge: the mountain of stairs between the first floor where her classroom was and the second floor, where the school came together for community worship. Her legs were weakened from polio four years before and she was just learning to go from her walker to crutches. Her Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Johnson, issued her a challenge: climb the stairs 100 times and the class would throw her a party. In the interview below, Maggie talks about how an early lesson in perseverance has impacted her life. In September 2008, she competed in Beijing in the Paralympics.
What was it like to climb the stairs?
To any Kindergarten student, 100 seems like a really big number and moreover, climbing the stairs just one time was challenging, yet alone 100. I was slow and got tired. As one time up turned into 50 and then 60, I got stronger which in turn led me to be faster. I no longer felt as if people were waiting for me. When the 100th time came around, I was a pro! From the challenge early on in life, I have learned the “stick with it” mentality and to not give up when the going gets tough. It will make you better and more prepared for what’s to come in the long run.
How did the school community support you as you met the challenge?
My classmates and the entire Lower School was supportive and each day one of my classmates would travel up the stairs with me. My partner that day would also help me update my climbing chart. It was definitely a joint effort. Many of them even wanted to climb the stairs [with crutches] like me.
Do you remember the party with your class when you achieved your goal?
I remember the entire lower school came to celebrate with me. There were cupcakes and balloons. My class gave me the poster that we had been updating that showed that I made it up the stairs 100 times.
How were the Paralympics?
Oh my, the Paralympics were absolutely amazing, I can’t even begin to describe it. It had been a dream of mine to compete in the Paralympics since I was about 14 or 15. When I received that phone call that I had made the team, it was surreal. Traveling was long but I was prepared. The track and field team actually went to a training camp held on Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan for 10 days prior to going to Beijing. We were treated like royalty there—getting flown in on a military chartered flight, having service men and women “sponsor us”, site seeing, and getting tours of the jets and Okinawa.
China was something that I will never forget: from competing in the packed Bird’s Nest (which is probably the most nervous I have ever been) to touring Beijing with my family. I have full intentions of trying to make the London 2012 Paralympics. For me competition in China was good starting place, but I want to come back in four years as a true medal contender.
What other hopes and dreams do you have?
Right now I am working in the sports information department at Penn State. After I graduated Penn State in May 2007, I knew that I wanted to try and make the Beijing Paralympic team. I stayed her to continue my training. In the future I would absolutely love to shift the area I work in and move back to the NYC area. I am a city girl at heart and have always dreamed of working for a fashion magazine.