OKLAHOMA CITY -- In the midst of an epic and grueling encounter at the 2004 Paralympics, Susan Gilmore's face never showed anything but calmness and discipline.

Gilmore was tied 13-13 in a first-to-15 direct elimination bout with one of the top fencers in the world. The bout had already gone nearly twice as long as a normal fencing bout when she realized she had achieved a level inside of her that she had never reached before.

"There's a commitment and a focus that people at the elite level have to achieve," Gilmore said. "You see your opponent, but you really don't. It's all about what's going on inside of you."

Although Gilmore lost the bout by two points, she has no regrets.

"I had learned about a complete focus and a commitment to that moment," Gilmore said. "That's the moment you see the best of the human spirit."

Gilmore, 49, is a professor of speech pathology in the College of Allied Health at the OU Health Sciences Center.

For the extraordinary example she has set for people with disabilities, Gilmore received the Don Davis Award from the Oklahoma City Mayor's Committee on Disability Concerns Tuesday.

The award was presented to her at the committee's annual awards luncheon.

Kevin Ogle of KFOR TV, the master of ceremonies for the luncheon, said the Don Davis Award is the highest honor given by the committee and is awarded for extraordinary public service that has "advanced opportunities for people with disabilities, by the removal of social, attitudinal and environmental barriers."

Ogle said Gilmore was nominated for awards in four different categories.

Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett said Gilmore has been an inspiration to many people, including himself. He said one of the most inspirational things about her is her incredible belief in herself and her abilities.

"She illustrates the human spirit and getting the most out of life's opportunities," Cornett said.

Gilmore was paralyzed from the waist down in 1973 after being run over by a pickup truck at a drive-in movie theater. Rendered paraplegic, she has been in a wheelchair ever since.

Gilmore said her many achievements and activities in her life, including fencing, teaching and raising a family, helped her to become a good role model. She said through these activities she is showing that people with disabilities aren't really disabled at all, they just have to approach life with a different strategy.

"It's a doable thing," Gilmore said. "People shouldn't let the idea that they are disabled and need help stop them from attempting things."

Fencing

Gilmore said she discovered fencing in 1999 through a friend. At the time, she was told by a fencing coach that she had the talent to compete at a very high level, but she would have to work extremely hard and change her life to be able to compete at that level. Gilmore liked the idea immediately.

"I loved it," Gilmore said. "The idea of changing yourself as a person was intriguing."

Gilmore said one major appeal of fencing was the reliance on using both her mind and body to compete effectively.

"I always like a new challenge. It's such a nice combination of the mental and physical," Gilmore said.

It didn't take her very long to excel at it.

"I just hit the ground running," Gilmore said.

One of Gilmore's first forays into international competition was the 2000 Paralympics in Sydney, Australia. Gilmore said the Paralympics, held two weeks after the Olympics, opened her eyes to the new world she had entered. Gilmore said she was amazed at meeting people from all over the world who had come to compete. She said it was interesting to see how people from different backgrounds dealt with their disabilities..

"They all had a commitment to achieving the highest level they could, no matter the circumstances," Gilmore said.

Despite the limited time spent in the sport, she placed in the top 15 in Sydney, said Jerry Benson, Gilmore's fencing coach and owner of the Redlands Fencing Club in Oklahoma City. Benson said her top-15 finish allowed the entire U.S. team to go to the 2004 Paralympics in Athens, Greece.

"Susan is an elite athlete," Benson said. "She did all the work she needed to do. She had discipline, focus and determination to keep going. It takes a lot of courage to do what she did."

She has taken this year off, but she plans on competing nationally in 2006.

Teaching and Family

Benson said one reason Gilmore's success at fencing is amazing is her continued dedication to teaching and her family. Because of these factors, she often was only able to practice and train three to four hours per week. Gilmore said many of her opponents train up to six hours a day.

Along with being a professor in the College of Allied Health, Gilmore is the director of the John W. Keys Pre-Kindergarten Integrated Language Program, and she has led the Helping Our Parents Succeed program for toddlers the last three years. The programs are for children with language delays. The main goal of the programs is to let children have a preschool to develop their skills in a supportive environment.

"I see myself as a model for the children with disabilities," Gilmore said.

Gilmore raised two college-aged children, Paul and Jenna. She said they have been supportive of her and her activities. They have traveled with her overseas and are proud to have a mom who is so active.

"She's been a real role-model to me," said Jenna, a freshman at Oklahoma State University. "I really respect that she has taken time for herself. She's shown me the importance of... not letting life pass you by."

Gilmore said time is valuable and should never be wasted.

"I don't believe in waiting. I don't believe in putting things off," Gilmore said. "I believe in taking the risk, taking the chance. You have everything to give and nothing to lose."

She said because she has gone through so much, problems along the way don't really bother her anymore. She said the excitement of new challenges keeps her active and involved.

"It really is about the journey," Gilmore said. "I don't worry about failing anymore. It's what changes a person in the process that matters."
hello there & you too