During the day, Scott Cole is a part-time math teacher at East Kentwood High School
GRANDVILLE, Mich. (WZZM) -- During the day, Scott Cole is a part time math teacher at East Kentwood High School.
But after the final bell rings, he trades the classroom for the tennis court. This weekend, he competed in the Adult Doubles Tennis Tournament.
"I've been paralyzed for seven years, and four or five years ago I came out for the tennis team, and just went from there," said Scott Cole.
Cole battles against the best of them, but unlike many of the professional players, he's crossing the court on wheels. Cole took up tennis as a form of rehabilitation, after a rare infection ravaged his body.
"On December 10, 2004, I was a college student at Grand Valley [State University], and I had a condition called Transverse Miolitis, which attacked my own immune system and attacked my spinal cord," said Cole. "I walked into the hospital, and eight hours later, I was paralyzed."
It was family support that propelled Cole to the path he is on today. For his parents, the pride is evident with every swing of the racket.
"I was in the hospital in rehabilitation for two months, but I had a really strong family and a really big group of friends," said Cole.
The need for a wheelchair does not stop Cole from competing against able-bodied players.
"Just knowing that I was able to come here and win an able-bodied tournament is going to make me feel pretty good," said Cole.
Cole's hobby is also helping other athletes with disabilities. Proceeds from this tennis tournament will pay for special sports wheelchairs, which cost $2,500 each.
This is the eighth year for the Adult Doubles Tennis Tournament, which is organized by the Grand Rapids Wheelchair Sports Association and Ramblewood Tennis and Health Club.