
Compared to sports in history, the Paralympics are fairly recent. The idea that disabled people could play sports was unheard of until the Paralympics. The Paralympics changed the lives of disabled in ways no one thought possible. These people were now able to do things that their peers could do. They were given the opportunity to connect with the rest of the world. In this image of Esther Vergeer taken by Elizabeth Hudson, the emotion from the first glance, perspective, and focus show that through hard-work and determination, this stellar, but paralyzed athlete, is able play tennis just as well as normal athletes. 

From first glance, the viewer's eyes are drawn directly to Vergeer. Her stance is very aggressive. She is in mid-swing during what looks like an intense game. To anyone who knows the history behind the Paralympics, this image speaks loud and clear at first glance. A player in a wheelchair has to work ten times harder than a player who is not handicapped, and the opportunities were not always as great as they are today. Vergeer had to teach herself how to rely only on her arms, as she is paralyzed from the waist down. This aggressive stance shows her life-long struggle to be the best that she can be. One also notices her facial expression at first glance. She has a very focused and determine look on her face, and her tongue is out just a little. This face shows her determination and hard-work to get to the place she was at when this photo was taken four years ago. It shows how she has defeated odds and is now a successful tennis player in the Paralympics. 

The perspective in this photo is below the player so the viewer is looking up at Vergeer. This could translate into a literal sense. As anyone who knows who she is and what she has done looks up to her, especially athletes in a similar situation. As an athlete myself, seeing this picture shows me what hard-work and dedication can do in an athletic career. The angle in which this photo is taken shows how people look up to and admire her determination to become a high-class Paralympic tennis player who has won several championships. The photo is also taken facing her, so the viewer can see her facial expression, stance, and muscular body. If the picture was from behind, the viewer would not see these key components which show the determination of this athlete. Upon seeing her facial expression, muscular physique, and aggressive stance, the viewer takes on the emotional appeal in the sense of admiration of Vergeer. 

The focus of this photo is solely on Esther Vergeer. Everything else is not blurry, but the viewer does not notice it until awhile of closely looking at the picture. When studying this photo, the viewer spends the majority studying her. This shows that the true focus is her as a successful Paralympic athlete. Her entire journey as an athlete is shown through this photo. Her failures, successes, and wins through her determination are all shown through this focus on her. The photo focuses on her athletic physique and harsh facial expression which shows her journey throughout her life. 

When looking at this photo, the viewer sees a hard-working and determined athlete who is obviously successful. The viewer sees the aggressive stance and muscular physique of an athlete who cannot use her legs. The viewer can feel this admiration without ever knowing her back story or how successful she really is. What the viewer does not know is that Esther Vergeer has been in a wheelchair since age eight after discovering that she had a blood vessel defect around her spinal cord. She has taught herself to play basketball and tennis while in a wheelchair. Vergeer has seven Paralympic titles and went on a four hundred and seventy game winning streak from 2003 until she retired. She has also won seventeen Grand Slam titles in her career. The viewer can tell she is an inspiration and admirable to all, but once one obtains the knowledge of her accomplishments, the picture definitely means a great deal more. 

