Rowing Through

            Maddison Mattey, a freshman at Ohio University has a story unlike most. Avid kayaker and prospective doctor, Mattey has accomplished a wide range of activities, and one of them is rowing. She has times competitive with other college rowers, and she does it all with one leg.

            Mattey began rowing her first quarter at Ohio University after finding out that her roommate was a member. She attended the first practice, and hasn't looked back since. Every day has brought with it a new experience.

            She said that at first “there was a long awkward period. I remember looking up to the varsity and thinking damn, how are they going that fast? I didn't understand the mechanics of rowing enough to understand that it was attainable to have lower that a 2:50 split. I had to slowly work my way up. And now, I'm fast!”

            Although she likes to joke with people and tell them an alligator bit her leg off, Mattey has an entirely different story. She has Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency, or PFFD, which means that her femur is short. It causes everything else in her leg to move up including her knee, shin, and foot. Mattey uses a prosthetic leg to make up the difference in length, and to add a knee joint.

            “All of my muscles, nerves and joints work. It's all there, just smaller,” said Mattey. “I've never had any surgeries or corrective procedures. My case is actually one of the best documented that doctors have seen.”

            Most may think that rowing is completely different for Mattey with only one leg, but in fact it's quite similar. It is just a matter of adapting. Mattey says that obviously her leg has to do double the work, but it's the only way that she has ever learned, so “it's just how it is. It's just always about how to make it work better.”

            Adaptation is key. On the erg, Mattey's leg doesn't bend, so she can't strap her left foot in. Rather, her left leg is used for balance. In the boat, she carries it down to the water with her leg on, but once in her seat, takes it off and straps in her right leg. To manage the uneven pressure, Mattey focuses on core, strength and balance. Although Mattey is unique to Ohio University Women's crew in that way, there are many others that have learned to adapt to rowing in the same way. According to Mattey, however, they aren't an inspiration.

            “They settle for mediocraty. They all seem to consider their disability, well, a disability. A hinderance. I don't think that way. I have become adaptively certified, but more for fun. I consider myself a competitor against two-legged rowers,” says Mattey.

            To Mattey, rowing is the ultimate sport. The people, the team unity and the opportunity to get in shape are just a few of the aspects that make it special. “You can tell people, I rowed 12,000 meters today. That's like seven miles. It's just exotic enough where everyone is like 'ooh!' It's well respected. It's not like I'm a world ping pong champion. It's fun to tell people about,” says Mattey. Nothing will stop Mattey in her endeavors. She holds her expectations for both herself and her team very high. It is expected that the team has fast boats, and that, personally, nothing gets in her way, as every member holds their own.

            “Maddison pushes herself in practices and gives 100% every day and always has a smile on her face. She's a great asset to the team because she faces adversity every day but looks it in the face and accepts the challenge. I think it's awesome too because I feel that there are people out there that say she can't do this, she can't do other things because she only has one leg. She proves them wrong everyday,” says teammate Megan Dean.

            Although Mattey's story is unique, she doesn't play it off in that way. To her, as she said, she is a competitor amongst the rest of the two-legged rowers. She is just another member on the team. She has a smile on her face because she doesn't agree with the adversity.

            “I don't feel that way at all. I think it's funny when people say that. I have one leg, but I don't know, everyone has something to deal with. Mine's physical. Some people are crazy. I could be off a lot worse than I am. It's fun to make people realize I'm not that different. It's fun to mess with people,” says Mattey.

            As time progresses, Mattey will only add more to her rowing story.  Not only is rowing an outlet for her competitive spirit, it also serves as a means of physical therapy, something that other rowers can also relate to.

            “I tore three major tendons in my leg and my physical therapist recommended crew. I had no idea what a full body workout it would be. The rest of my body got stronger and it was nice to get a good workout in without risking injuring my leg again in a contact sport. With crew, you go out with your teammates and want nothing more than to get a medal,” high school rower Meghan Foreman said.

            Mattey's story came with a similar occurrence. She has to work harder to achieve things that seem to come quite easily to her teammates, but she does not give up. Her last 2,000 meter test was her biggest success, with a personal record of a 2:10 split, something that is an accomplishment for all rowers. She was recently contacted by someone that relates to her personal experiences.
            “I got e-mailed by the paralympic coach, that was pretty cool.”
            Mattey is still learning when it comes to rowing, but as a Freshman she has time to accomplish even more than she already has.

            Crew teammate Sara Fisher explains that everyone is important on the team at Ohio University and that it's all how you view yourself.

            “You have to feel like a major asset and that you're part of something knowing you have an impact.”

            From not even understanding the mechanics of rowing less than a year ago to having rowed a personal best on her erg test just days ago, Mattey is a major asset to the crew team at Ohio University.