Showing the World! TAD Student - Matt Simmons

At first, rowing intimidated me. I’d never heard of a blind rower before, and I wasn’t sure how I’d adapt. But college is about pushing yourself, so I joined the team my freshman year.”

Adjusting took time. “Learning the technique was harder, and I used headphones to track my speed and distance,” Matt explains. “But unlike basketball, rowing put me on a more level playing field.”

His coaches were initially unsure but gave him the same opportunities as everyone else. “They never treated me differently, and I really respect that.”

The best part? “The community,” Matt says. “Most of my closest friends from college are rowers.”

For now, he’s taking a break—but his sights are set on the future. “I’d love to represent the U.S. Para Rowing team at the World Championships or Paralympics."

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TAD students are showing the world that they are brilliant, capable, and independent.