From the Football Field to the Goalball Court: My Journey Into Adaptive Sports and Accessibility

Written by: Jeff Palmer

Founder of the Carolina Reaper Goalball Team

Some stories follow a straight line—mine never has. My path has paused, restarted, tripped, grown, and pushed forward again. What I’ve learned is that resilience isn’t about perfection. It’s about continuing to show up, even when the world isn’t sure what to do with someone who has a disability.

My name is Jeff Palmer, and this is my story—told through the lens of the sports that shaped me, especially goalball, the game that helped me understand who I am and who I want to be.

Growing Up in a Tiny Town with Big Support

I grew up in Paden City, West Virginia—a one‑stoplight kind of town where everyone knows everyone. I was born with Aniridia, a condition that affects eye development and significantly limits vision. But inside my home, disability wasn’t something that set me apart.

My hero—my mom—made sure of that.

She called me “Bumper” because I’d run into things and bounce right back off. She never coddled me, never lowered expectations, and never let me believe I couldn’t do something just because I was visually impaired. That mindset shaped my attitude long before I understood the word “disability.”

Falling in Love With Football

Football wasn’t just a sport for me—it was a connection to family.

I spent hours listening to games on the radio with my grandfather, watching replays on a black‑and‑white TV, and cheering for West Virginia University. WVU football was tradition, identity, and belonging.

But as my vision declined in middle school, I struggled.

I didn’t want to accept that I was losing sight. I wanted to be “normal.” So I hid my cane. Threw it in bushes. Anything to avoid standing out.

A Teacher Who Changed My Future

Everything shifted thanks to a teacher named James Joyce.

He wanted me integrated—not separated.

He encouraged me, challenged me, and pushed me out of my comfort zone. He held school‑wide events where everyone participated equally, and it helped me feel like I belonged.

One day, I had a thought that felt impossible:

If I love football this much, why not try playing it?

So I walked to the high‑school coach’s office.

I asked for one chance.

He hesitated… but he said yes.

And that yes changed everything.

My Season on the Football Field

My first practice was a disaster. I ran the wrong way, missed cues, and tried to keep up while teammates explained drills to me on the fly.

But by the second practice, something happened:

Everyone accepted me.

I played defensive tackle—lining up over the ball so I could see the snap. My coach told me, “Hit whatever hits you, but hit it harder.”

I made one tackle all season. One single tackle. But it was real, and the coach paused the film to celebrate it. A referee even wrote a letter later about seeing players guide me to the line of scrimmage.

That moment taught me something I’ll never forget:

I am capable of doing hard things.

Discovering the Sport That Truly Fit: Goalball

Transferring to the state school for the blind changed my life again—because that’s where I discovered goalball.

Goalball wasn’t just a sport.

It was my sport.

Fast. Physical. Aggressive.

A game built entirely around sound, spatial awareness, and strategy—skills I’d been sharpening my whole life without even realizing it.

Goalball gave me back something I thought I’d lost after football:

The ability to compete on equal ground. The ability to push myself. The ability to be part of a team.

Goalball didn’t just accept me—it fit me.

Finding My Career Through Persistence

Like many visually impaired professionals, I bounced around jobs that didn’t fulfill me. Then I discovered the world of digital accessibility. I didn’t know much at first, but the more I learned, the more it clicked.

Accessibility wasn’t just technical—it was personal.

It was human.

People had fought for these rights, and now I could help expand them.

Breaking into the field wasn’t easy. I heard “no” far more than “yes.”

But then one day, sitting in a Target parking lot, I got the call offering me an internship at Pegasystems.

I cried. Because I finally felt seen.

That opportunity led to contract work, deeper training, and a passion for helping technology become more accessible for people like me.

What I’d Tell My Younger Self

If I could talk to eighth‑grade Jeff—the kid who hid his cane—I’d say:

“It’s OK to be visually impaired. It’s OK to use your cane. And it’s more than OK to try. Just keep pushing. You’re going to find your place.”

Giving Back Through Goalball

Today, one of my proudest accomplishments is founding a goalball team in Raleigh, North Carolina.

I created the team because goalball changed my life—and I want to give that same opportunity to other visually impaired athletes. Whether they’re kids discovering confidence for the first time, adults looking to reconnect with sport, or families trying to find community, goalball can open doors.

My mission is simple:

Build a place where visually impaired athletes can grow, compete, and belong—just like I did.

If you want to learn goalball, volunteer, or support the team, I would love to connect.

Let’s Build Something Together

Jeff Palmer 614‑753‑1772 jjpwvu@gmail.com