On target: Disability doesn’t keep archer from her sport

NEW MADRID, Mo. — Rachael Ross rolls her wheelchair next to her arrows. She takes one from the quiver, placing it on her bow. After adjusting her body in her chair, she carefully takes aim, then lets the arrow fly.

Thump, it hits the target.

Thump, thump, thump, arrow after arrow hits the target until the quiver is empty.

Rachael’s skill in archery earned her a spot on the New Madrid County Central Middle School’s archery team.

More recently she was honored with one of the National Archery in Schools Program’s On Target for Life Awards — the Courage Award. The award goes to a student who has overcome a major life event or disability and serves as an inspiration for others through their participation in archery.

Rachael Ross, a member of the New Madrid County Central Middle School’s archery team, was recently honored by the National Archery in Schools Program at Louisville, Ky.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

Rachael Ross, a member of the New Madrid County Central Middle School’s archery team, was recently honored by the National Archery in Schools Program at Louisville, Ky.Jill Bock/Standard Democrat

Courage, said those who nominated her, is what Rachael is all about.

Melanie Crow, her archery coach and physical education teacher, explained Rachael was born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Through the years she has courageously endured multiple surgeries and hospital stays.

In addition, the eighth grader who will become a high school freshman next fall, has lived in a series of foster homes. After the death of her parents and another major surgery which resulted in a three-month hospital stay, Rachael moved in with another foster family before meeting and moving in with her legal guardians, Jamie and Steven Elder of Matthews.

“Rarely is Rachael found without a smile on her face,” Crow said. “She faces each of her daily challenges with the most positive and upbeat personality and demeanor; she is courageous every day.”

The educator also noted despite the many obstacles Rachael has faced, she maintains good grades and great citizenship.

When Crow introduced her students to archery, Rachael admits she wasn’t sure she could do it.

“I was not hitting the target,” she recalled. “I was about to give up and coach Crow lifted me up. She told me not to give up and we kept trying and I got better.”

Crow still laughs, calling the look on Rachael’s face when she first hit the target and again when she hit the bull’s-eye “priceless.” According to Crow by the time the school’s archers headed to the state tournament, Rachael was consistently hitting the bull’s-eye.

“Her ability to shoot a bow makes her just one of the team. It doesn’t separate her from someone who can run and jump,” the coach said. “This year she shoots with confidence and precision. Coaching Rachael is one of the most rewarding jobs I have ever done.”

Crow said the archery program has improved Rachael’s self-esteem.

Rachael added it has made her stronger and improved her balance and concentration. But what she really likes is just being with her friends on the team.

Teammate Ethan Moore was impressed by Rachael’s determination to tackle the sport. Now, he continued, she helps others with their shooting.

“Rachael is an inspiration because some kids wouldn’t even try to shoot if they were in a wheelchair, would say they couldn’t because of that but not Rachael,” he said. “Rachael says because she is in a wheelchair she is going to be the first to do something.

“Rachael never complains about anything, just deals with problems and gets her job done,” he continued. “She always shows courage, every day she is courageous.”

Middle School Principal Thomas Drummond said he has enjoyed watching Ethan, Rachael and the other archers interact. Although she is disabled, Drummond said her team mates don’t treat her any differently; they laugh, joke and encourage one another.

He, too, used the word courageous to describe her, adding she is an inspiration to everyone around her.

“Rachael has shown others that even if you are disabled you can do many things,” he added.

Her guardian, Jamie Elder, agreed. She explained just because society says Rachael can’t do something or shouldn’t do something, Rachael is always willing to try new things.

For Rachael, that is what archery — and life — are really all about.

“Not to give up,” she advises. “Just keep trying and you will get better.”