Acorn

Issue date: 2/27/06 Section: Sports

Shaking the hand of freshman fencer Mike Heumann can be an awkward affair � though he doesn�t see it to be. �It�s funny,� he said, �I think other people are made a lot more awkward than I am, because I�m used to it. There are a lot of people who come up to me and go, �Oh shit! What do I do now?��

Heumann was born without a full right arm, which extends only to his elbow.

When asked what happens when someone goes in for a handshake, Heumann, with a smirk on his face, stretches and retracts both of his arms in mock imitation of the awkwardness others experience. Heumann�s motions are natural and fluid, making it easy to both forget about his visible disability and realize Heumann�s point: That there is nothing awkward about him, but rather only with the people who only see him simply as �disabled.�

Heumann doesn�t see himself as disabled � at least not in the condescending sense that is often associated with the word. He sees his condition as a benefit. �It�s actually pretty helpful,� Heumann said, regarding the disability pensions he receives. �I mean, I get special scholarships. It�s a win-win.�

Heumann�s general attitude towards life isn�t morbid, nor is it saccharinely optimistic. Rather, it�s rooted in pragmatism � and with a healthy dose of humor.

�There�s a lot of funny stuff [in my life],� he said. �I just laugh at it.�

Heumann�s sense of humor was not immediately noticed by his head coach, Dayn DeRose, when the two met during his visit to Drew as a prospective student two years ago.

�When I first met Mike, he was quiet,� DeRose said. �I had no idea he had a unique sense of humor. [It�s] amusingly dry and sarcastic. It fits with the rest of his [fencing] style.

�He has a very idiosyncratic style,� DeRose explained. �It�s hard for opponents to find out.� He also complimented Heumann�s admirable work ethic. �He�s completely, utterly devoted to fencing. He puts in the extra time,� DeRose said.

Heumann�s stringent work ethic was divided between many activities before he found fencing. While growing up with his parents and younger brother and sister in Calabasas, CA, Heumann was active on the soccer field and the baseball diamond. How does one play baseball with only one hand? �I had the mitt on one [arm], and the ball in my [left hand],� he explained. �It worked out alright, but it just wasn�t that fun.�

When chance had it that his mother forgot to sign him up for the upcoming soccer season in sixth grade, Heumann turned to fencing, which was offered at his middle school.

Enjoying the mental prowess that the sport required, fencing quickly became his passion. �I was going to weekend meets for USFA [United States Fencing Association] and also school tournaments for our division. It was really fun,� he said.

As Heumann continued his fencing career throughout his high school years at Chaminade College Prepatory, he began his college search with two criteria in mind: a school with strong academics and a prominent fencing program. After visiting Drew, Heumann found a school that matched his prerequisites. �I was also impressed with meeting our coach,� he said.

Coach DeRose, who has previously worked with disabled athletes, notices a similarity in work ethic and attitude between Heumann and the late Karen Greenberg, whom he coached two years ago at Drew before her death. �With Karen, she was always good natured, very popular, always telling jokes, making people smile,� he said. �You never knew she was born with one arm and one leg. You couldn�t tell, you couldn�t see it.�

�With Mike, it�s [also] what you don�t notice,� DeRose said. �If you know Mike, and watch him fence, you quickly forget about his arm.�

Heumann is pleased about his first year fencing foil for Drew. �Epee�s probably our strongest weapon, and foil�s probably our weakest,� he said. �So it was just a natural decision to [do foil].� With only three other fencers on the men�s foil squad, Heumann sees �a lot of strip time as a freshman� and developed a close relationship with his teammates. �They�re cool people,� he said. �For some reason, fencing in general attracts a lot of really annoying people, but our team happens to not be like that. We hang out and get together and support each other while fencing, which a lot of other teams have problems with.�

Heumann looks forward to continuing fencing for Drew and working on improving his foil skills. He also plans on continuing to pursue an as-yet-undetermined major in the social sciences.

Heumann�s disability is no obstacle to him in his every day life and won�t be in his future. �I can do everything I want now,� he said. Though his parents at one time did seek to purchase him a prosthetic arm, Heumann rejected the idea early on. �They�re a real pain,� he said. �They�re either real heavy, real weak, or expensive. They�re not really worth it.�

Heumann acknowledges that throughout his life, and at Drew, he has noticed the curious stares of onlookers, who at some point have probably wondered what aspect of Heumann�s life is most challenging. The answer? �Getting started on work,� he said. �I love procrastinating.�

And then what�s the most rewarding aspect of Heumann�s life?

According to Heumann, there are two things. First, there�s his love for backpacking.

�Completing the hike� is one of his favorite highs in life. �It�s interesting because you go out there and you suffer in the dirt and mud, and after you get back you feel miserable, but at the same time there�s something really fun about it,� he explained.

And there�s the other joy in his life � fencing. �After you�ve worked really hard and you�ve done something amazing like beating a really hard person,� he said, �or even if you lose, but you know you�ve done your best, and had a great day � then that�s great.�

 

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