Heart of a True Champion: The Inspirational Story of Nomad
By Jason | Published: May 11, 2007 10:10pm EST
| One wonderful thing about gaming is it opens doors for people of all races, ethnicities, religions and creeds to come together to enjoy a common endeavor. If one were to take a casual stroll through a Major League Gaming event, one would see men and woman, children, teenagers and adults, preps, geeks, jocks and so many other distinct personalities and unique people all facing off to be named professional gamers and having an incredible amount of fun in the process. Gaming is one of modern life’s great equalizers. It cuts through boundaries like income level and birthplace and allows players from all over the world to meet and compete. Randy Fitzgerald, an inspirational young man who attended MLG Charlotte, is probably one of the best examples of how gaming can allow anyone to rise above circumstance and become a true champion. Playing under the moniker Nomad, he competes in MLG's Rainbow Six Vegas events with friends he met on Xbox Live. In that manner he is just like anyone else who sits down to play their favorite games online or at an MLG event. In fact, by just watching his screen, no one could probably ever tell Nomad is a unique and interesting competitor.
Nomad was born with a rare muscle and joint disorder called Arthrogryposis that has confined him to a wheelchair and left him without the use of his arms or legs. While this disorder might have kept many others in similar positions away from the heated atmosphere of the professional gaming world, Nomad came to Charlotte and proved that he could compete with the top players on the circuit. He truly inspired the players around him, not only by being a talented member of his team, but also through his upbeat personality and friendly nature. |
