Half the Reach, Twice the Heart

Under the lights of Genesee Park, the crowd roars in excitement as the Fighting Irish enter the field. The team is pumped up, and is incredibly excited to prove themselves against their opponents. However, one player in particular stands out above the rest: Senior defensive midfielder Shan Ramos. With one arm and a dream, he has made massive strides in his lacrosse career. However, it wasn't always like this.

Born in Shantou, China, Ramos was raised in an orphanage due to having an underdeveloped left arm.

"I was adopted when I was 18 months old, [and] I don't remember anything from China," said Ramos.

He was taken to Texas, where he would live for most of his early life with his family. This came with its challenges, as he had to adapt to life back in the states and live life missing a limb.

"Sometimes the I feel like I didn't fit in because my parents didn't look like me."

Otherwise, he grew up like most other kids did in the US: Enjoying sports, playing games, and hanging out with friends. And although he only had one arm, it didn't stop him from doing activities that other kids his age were doing.

(Ramos playing basketball)

In 6th grade, he moved to Washington State and took up lacrosse for the first time. Here, with the support of his family and friends, he learned valuable life lessons that he has carried throughout his career.

"There's nothing that [people] can't do. They just may have to do it differently… There's no wrong way to do something as long as you can get it done."

Ramos was starting to overcome adversity and hardships in his personal life. He felt more comfortable and settled in his life after having to deal with being a transfer student multiple times and having a disability like having one arm since he was born. While everything seemed to now be going great for Ramos since it looked like he had everything figured out, having one arm still affected him when he played his favorite sport, Lacrosse. While Ramos never expected less out of himself because of his disability, others thought differently. 

“Coaches normally put me to a lower standard. They don’t expect me to be as good as people who have both of their arms. I have to work harder than everybody else. I put in more time to be just as good or even better then other people.”

While Ramos always heard the doubters, it never stopped him from doing what he loved. He knew he had to work harder and put the time in if he wanted to play high level lacrosse, and he didn’t let some disability hold him back. While Ramos had to work harder and do more work than everybody else, that took up a lot of his time, but this shaped him into who he is and helped him grow into the person and athlete he is today. 

“It has made me a stronger athlete. It showed me I need to practice more and longer than everybody else. It teaches me that just because I have one less arm doesn’t mean I can’t compete with them.”

Ramos has morally embraced being different and only having one arm. 

“I have always not had my arms, so I have always been used to it. I have learned to embrace it; I don’t see it as a disability like some other people do.” 

Ramos does not care what people say or think about him because he knows he is doing something most people wouldn’t be able to do. It keeps him motivated and going because he wants to keep inspiring people with his story. 

“What keeps me going is how much I inspire people. It’s just really fun to play and prove people who don’t believe in me wrong.

From this, he would go on to play for CitySide Lacrosse and O'Dea. Although he was at a natural disadvantage when it came to playing, he consistently proved others wrong and became a formidable player on the field.

"It taught me that I have to work harder than other people to get better, and that nothing comes easy, and that hard work pays off.

Right now, he is continuing to pursue his lacrosse dreams and win the state title.

Staring down his opponents on the field, Ramos steals the ball away and dashes towards the net. Ducking multiple defenders, he swings, and makes the goal! His effort had paid off, and the crowd cheers in celebration. Victory was in the palm of his hand, and he after he put his heart and soul into it, Ramos wasn't willing to let go.

Watch him on Friday, April 11 for his match against Seattle Prep at Lower Woodland Park Ballfield.