Casey Martin Verdict
All athletes are not born on a level playing field and some athletes have disadvantages. Is everyone made to be an athlete? How far would you go to become a professional athlete? Would you take your case to the Supreme Court? Would you spend three years in and out of the court system arguing a case that is so clear to you but not to others? On May 29, 2001, the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that the federal disability rights law entitles Casey Martin, a 28 year old golfer, to ride in a cart between shots while competing in PGA Tour events. Martin suffers from a rare incurable circulatory disease called Klippel Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome or KLS. His right leg is so weak that for the last 10 years he has been unable to walk a full eighteen holes of golf. Martin was awarded a scholarship to play golf for Stanford University and while he played in the college ranks the NCAA allowed him to use a golf cart. This was a very special privilege because after college the PGA Tour would not be so supportive of his needs. The Americans with Disabilities Act or ADA came to Martin's rescue throughout the court cases. Casey Martin has served as an inspiration to other athletes with disabilities.
The Supreme Court in the Casey Martin case and the ADA secures for all Disabled American Athletes the right to a level playing field. Third, professional golfers preferred and chose to walk if permitted, so they could experience terrain and weather conditions and remain warmed up. What would happen if Barry Bonds all of a sudden can't keep his strength up due to some unique disease and he stops hitting home runs? Is Major League Baseball going to move the fences up for him and only him? Professional or amateur sports can not be making exceptions to their rules for individuals. The Supreme Court found six reasons why Casey Martin should be able to use a cart. Fourth, the purported fatigue factor of walking was generally minimal. Finchem believed that the findings of this case should have stayed within the PGA and should not have gone to the Supreme Court. How will the courts decide future cases? Casey Martin and KLS are so unique that he can't be used as a precedent. There are way too many other factors to consider with different circumstances. The following is an exert from Tim Finchem's speech to the press after hearing the Supreme Court's verdict. The only treatments available are elastic garments that protect from future damage and pumps to keep the blood moving through the limb. Complications may include excessive bleeding, gigantism of toes, hand and feet anomalies, lymphedema, and many others. Both Jack Nickalus and Arnold Palmer, two of the game's all time best, disagreed with the Supreme Court, thinking that riding in a cart takes all of the integrity out of the game and shouldn't be allowed. His stance is that not everyone can become a professional golfer. (EMedicine) The Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, state and local governments, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications.
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Acceptance Essays
