The archer with no arms by Aaron Tanner

Recently, I was watching one of my favorite game shows called To Tell The Truth. The format involves three contestants and a celebrity panel determining which contestant is telling the truth about their story while avoiding picking the other two imposters that are lying.

One of the contestants was a world-class archer from Iowa named Matt Stutzman. What sets him apart from other athletes is that he can shoot a bow and arrow without any arms.

Stutzman was born without both arms and adopted by a family that loved hunting. Early on, Stutzman’s family did not want him to use his disability as an excuse not to make something of his life.

After high school, he had issues with being hired by regular employers. Although he was qualified to do many of the jobs required of the position, those in charge of hiring took one look at Stutzman and his lack of arms and refused to hire him.

During the Great Recession of 2008-2009, Stutzman was desperate to find a way to support his family. He went back to his hunting roots and found a bow and arrow and practiced shooting correctly.

Eventually, he entered into archery competitions in hopes of winning cash prizes. What inspired him to train harder was the disappointing feeling when a sporting company sponsored him not because he excelled at the sport but because he had no arms.

After competing in various competitions, Stutzman qualified for the Paralympic Games at the 2012 summer Olympics in London, where he won silver in archery. He also competed in the 2015 Paralympic Game in Toronto, where he took home silver and a gold medal at the World Archery Para Championships that same year. Stutzman received an invitation to the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo before the Covid-19 pandemic postponed the event.

On December 9, 2015, Stutzman set a world record for the longest accurately hit target from 310 feet away. The secret to his world-renowned talent is he shoots the arrow with his feet while holding a strap that allows him to position the bow close to his face, pull back and release the bow using the outside of his jaw.

Today, Stutzman supports himself and his family through the sport of archery. Despite the obstacles, he does not consider himself disabled. Best of all, he has competed against non-disabled archers and beaten them at their own game.

Back to the other two imposters on To Tell The Truth, they also have unique talents despite their disability. One of them was an actress while another was a blind opera singer.

I cannot emphasize enough for parents to encourage and push their child with a disability from an early age and encourage them not to feel sorry for themselves. Perhaps success for them is different from the mainstream’s version of having a successful life. After all, whoever thought that a bow and arrow could lead to a successful career?

Is there anyone with a disability that inspires you? Comment in the section below. To see the episode of To Tell The Truth with Matt Stutzman, click here.