Head Athletic Trainer Parry Finds Perks, Joy in His Career

For head athletic trainer Carlos Parry, hard work has definitely has paid off with an incredible reward. His journey began right here in the District of Columbia. At a young age, Parry’s love for sports set him up for the career he would grow to love.

“Growing up I wanted to be a doctor and major in radiology, but I couldn’t find any schools. So I decided to become a trainer due to my love of sports” Parry stated.

Although Parry didn’t go into the field he intended upon, he chose one in which he could do what he ultimately wanted to do, help people. So Parry searched and found California University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in exercise science with a concentration in performance enhancement and injury prevention. It was here that he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. But like everything worth having, getting his degrees didn’t come without complications.

Parry’s collegiate career was filled with challenges that at times were a deterrent. Just like any other college student, the workload can sometimes become stressful. For many students the adjustment can be an overwhelming task.

“There are a lot of long days and lots of studying to do. There are days where you feel like giving up. It is easy to get off track” says Parry with a serious face.

With that type of adversity, it is easy to falter. But Parry didn’t’ crack under the pressure. Instead he offered some advise on how to make it through the rough times. He encourages students to strive to be better and to stay away from having “tunnel vision.” He also offers special advise for those striving to become athletic trainers.

That last statement is one that transcends well with Parry. The joy in his eyes when he speaks about his job as an athletic trainer is unprecedented. When a student athlete becomes injured, he work began. During this time, he is able to gain a one on one relationship with his patients. This is one of the best perks in his opinion. Not only is he able to meet different people, he is able to watch them progress and return to the player they were before their injury occurred. Who wouldn’t want to see their hard work has done.

But with all that hard work, one must have a little time for play. This proves true for Carlos. Being that he is from the D.C. area, he is able to spend lots of time with his family and friends. Family is a very important part of his life. In addition to that, he enjoys his free time riding his motorcycle, bowling and traveling. Though those activities are fun, Parry’s dedication still remains to his job at Howard.

According to Parry, the future of athletic training is promising. He has many ideas to enhance the program at Howard University.

“I would like to get a graduate level athletic program and a bigger facility. Also I want to change the stigma of trainers. The trainer and athlete relationship will be better. Possibly I could change the staff wardrobe and hire more trainers. And of course this is going to take a lot of money; so I plan on getting a couple fundraisers started” Parry says excitedly.

Thinking outside the box like that has allowed Parry to become the man his is today. With ideas and determination like that, Howard University and Carlos Parry only have the best to look forward too.

“Always study hard. Gain positive relationships with different people. Be a good communicator. Don’t be afraid to apply for a position you may not think you can get. Don’t get discouraged. And most of all, just love what you do.

Comatose Dreams

As I view your eyes I want to look deeper
And capture your soul
Escape to ecstasy and find your true goal
Because to the physical eye you are beauty in true human form
But to the abstract eye the idea of beauty is torn

As the days go by I feel my two eyes coming to a common ground
But the shackles of the physical eye are keeping me bound
And now I’m scared because I see the shadows of your soul
And like all shadows they are distorted and can’t be released into the physical’s hold

Now every time I close my eyes and dream it is you I see
Honey brown skin, olive-green almond eyes, chiseled physique
Peerless, sublime divine, you are Zeus
Ravishing waves, fire desire, immaculate dream
My heart cries, on you I rely, for your excellence beams

Chocolate love, honey-suckle soul, enter me
Deceived, trapped, I want to be free
Strapping, statuesque, my strong tower
Lust, blissful nirvana, endless touch
Molest me to ecstasy, I fiend for your touch

Entering REM sleep, it is you I feel
Smooth hands, suave caress, I love your poise
Cool breeze, summer rain, you aim to soothe
Melodic groove, riveting chills, tantalize my spine
Rush me, diffuse your grace, spirit divine

Dreamy eyes, I’m hypnotized from your stare
Intoxicate, look inside, strip me bare
Tease me, please me, leave me dazed
Ignite my soul, make this feeling not just a faze

Licorice lips, I overdose on your kiss
Comatose, kiss me, revive me to bliss
Capture my lips, hold them captive, never let go
Drown me in your passion, allow your purity to flow

S.T.D. (Stop The Drugs)

Hey come close can I whisper in your ear?
Let you know my life, my love, even my fears
Enter my world penetrate my mind
Dig deep until you find
Find what makes me laugh, what makes me cry
Listen close to the flashbacks that caused my insides to die

Boom-Boom, Boom- Boom, two heartbeats sound
Screams, cries, ring the alarm, I’m free no longer bound
Look down here I am hello to you all
Welcome to the ups, the downs, the slips and the falls

Hush little baby don’t say a word
You can quiet my cries but my voice will be heard
Snake like my bite is venom and my moves are swift
So don’t try me or you will get bit

Type A, Type B, I’m type A at its worst
Blessed with creativity stress is my curse
I’m ADHD constantly on the go
Focus I can’t my mind’s constantly on the go

1-2-3 months damn time flies
1-2-3 men in that time go bye
No baby it’s not you it’s me is what I say
I may love you tomorrow just not today

So yea I can’t fathom monogamy does that make me bad?
If it does 2 words, so sad
Yea I have anger issues what do you want me to do?
I fight, I scream, I yell, the hell with the boo-who

Hate it or love it I often erupt in anger for no reason
But like a bipolar individual it comes and goes quicker than a season
And when change comes love is there
I love harder that anyone could ever dare

Problem child, Problem child, feed me drugs make me a statistic

Take your medicine before you go ballistic

Blasphemy release these restraints from me at once

Let my creativity explore and let me hunt

Hush little baby don’t say a word
No fuck that my voice will be heard
Snake like my bite is venom and my moves are swift
So don’t try me or you will get bit

Facing the Reality of Steroids in Professional Sports

It was a beautiful evening on Aug. 7, 2007, at San Francisco’s AT&T Park when the crowd cheered as Barry Bonds stepped up to the plate. After a full count, the crowd quieted. From the thousands in the stands to the thousands around the world watching from home, there was one question at hand. Is tonight the night he breaks the record? With a pitch from Washington Nationals pitcher Mike Bacsik, Bonds sent the ball to center field and over the wall. He’s done it, were the words echoing around the world from announcers. What record did he break?, you ask. Bonds had broken the record held by Hank Aaron for the most career home runs. Despite all the criticism, Bonds had finally made history and was on top of the world

On Nov. 15, just two months after hitting 756 home runs and breaking the record, Bonds was indicted on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. For many years, rumors about Bonds using steroids were everywhere. After his trainer, Greg Anderson, admitted to supplying steroids to some of the individuals he trained, Bonds immediately came under scrutiny. In December 2003, Bonds had denied stories of his trainer supplying him steroids in front of a federal grand jury. Almost four years later, many believe he lied under oath.

But in the case of steroid use, Bonds is not the only person being looked at. Athletes from baseball, track and field, and even football are coming up with positive tests for HGH (human growth hormone) and other steroids. So the question is: Has steroids taken over the sports world?

Coming off of three gold and two bronze medal wins in the Sydney Olympics, track and field star Marion Jones admitted her use of steroids after being indicted. On Oct. 5, 2007, Jones plead guilty to two counts of lying to a federal agent about her steroid use. After Jones’ last court appearance on Jan. 11, she was sentenced to six months in prison for lying about steroid use and taking part in a check-fraud scam. Questions surrounding steroid use began after investigations of her boyfriend, Tim Montgomery, and former husband and shot-putter, C.J. Hunter, became big news. Accusations followed by Victor Conte, founder and president of the notorious BALCO (Bay Area Laboratory Co-operative), which has been investigated for providing steroids to athletes. Everyone knew Jones was a great track and field star. But was she good enough to win five Olympic medals and beat her closest competitor in one race by a clear second? A second may not seem like a lot of time, but in track, wins come by more like tenths of a second.

After two of the biggest names in the sports world have been prosecuted for lying about their steroid use, and one being convicted, it begs the question if there are any athletes today who are not using steroids. Almost every week, there is a new story on an athlete testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. One of the big sports taking a hit from this is baseball. After a book written by former baseball star Jose Canseco, who admitted to steroid use, told stories about several baseball players on steroids, investigations of other players followed. In Canseco’s book, he accuses Marc McGwire of steroid use. Recently, the big name of New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens has come to the forefront. Leaks about his steroid use are beginning to hit the fan. With the league becoming more competitive each year, many players feel as though they have to perform at a higher level.

Another sport that has been hit with the steroid bug lately is football. In 2004, Superbowl contenders the Carolina Panthers were involved in a huge steroid scandal. Dr. James Shortt was found to have written prescriptions for steroids for several Panthers: Kevin Donnalley, John Milem, Jeff Mitchell, Todd Sauerbrun, Todd Steussie, Wesley Walls, and practice squad player Louis Williams. Since that point, the NFL has made progress in not letting that happen again. At the same time, more and more football players every year are testing positive for steroids, but many feel their punishment is lenient. So what kind of message is this sending to young athletes today – that cheating has become acceptable?

In a society in which the strong seem to thrive, many athletes are doing things to make sure they are the strongest. But this just isn’t in the professional sports world; high school and college athletes are testing the waters as well. It seems like athletes are getting better as time progresses. Many try to get the edge and become the best. In the world of high school and college-level sports, steroid use is on the rise.

Barry University sophomore starting pitcher Robbie Conver says, “Everyone in the professional leagues uses them. You do what you have to do to get to the top.”

When asked if he thinks that steroids will soon reach the realm of basketball, Barry University junior guard, Uli de la Vega says, “I don’t think it will affect the basketball world as bad as the other sports, such as baseball and football. Sports like football and baseball require power; but basketball is more a finesse sport. So since steroids are for power, I don’t think basketball players would take a chance and ending up hurting themselves.”

Though many may try to deny it, getting injected with HGH is as easy as going to the doctor and having it done right in the office. Clearly this is an issue. In March 2004, the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) estimated that at least a half-million eighth and tenth graders had taken steroids. In light of that, precautions have been taken to discourage steroid use at such a young age. According to an article published in USA Today on Dec. 21, 2005, student athletes in the state of New Jersey were to face steroid testing in the fall of 2006. Since testing went forward, a reported two percent of the 500 student athletes tested positive for steroids. Also in the article, a high school coach, Greg Toal, who began coaching at Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey, N.J., in 1999, said, “Kids at 17 and 18 think they're invincible. If testing is what helps stop them from using steroids, then do it.”

A different study conducted the same year indicated that nearly 1.1 million Americans said they had used anabolic steroids. Since that time, the numbers have steadily increased. It seems as though steroid use has become too common. But over the last couple of months, facts have shown that frequent drug use can lead to death.

In the world of professional wrestling, the deaths of Chris Benoit, who killed his wife and 7-year-old son and then committed suicide earlier this year, and Eddie Guerreo in 2005 were attributed to continued steroid use. This should be a sign to many that steroids are dangerous. But as time progresses, steroid use gets worse. So I pose a few questions to those reading this: What can be done to halt this? Or has steroid use become so big that it can’t be stopped until competitive sports as we know it radically change or cease to exist?

Outdoor Lounge

Bring the comforts of the beach to your
backyard with the new outdoor lounge



DESCRIPTION

This lightweight weatherproof lounge is perfect for use whether hanging out on the beach with friends or barbequing in the backyard with family. Equip with an adjustable head flap that clicks securing its position, comfort is never far. The tightly bind plastic going horizontal and vertical on the lounge makes relaxing simple. Metal legs allow the lounge to stand firm and withstand over 250 pounds. With a splendid white finish, the lounge fits perfectly with other outdoor lounge pieces.

FEATURES

Dimensions (LxWxH)
Ø 72" x 22" x 10.5"
10.5 lbs
Ø Easy to assemble
Ø White finish
Ø Adjustable head flaps
Ø Requires little space for storage

Outdoor Lounge
(User’s Guide)

IMPORTANT READ:
FOR SAFE USE PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY

Step 1:
Set the lounge on its side with the legs facing you. Use one hand to keep lounge in place

Step 2:
With the other hand, pull both legs, one at a time, towards your body until they are fully extended, insuring that they are secure.

Step 3:
Lift the chair and the place it down so that the legs are on the ground.

Step 4:
Pull the flaps away from each other towards the ground until fully extended. Once they reached as low as they can go one flap should click. That is the head.

Step 5:
Now adjust the head until your desired angle is met. With each level a click should be heard insuring that it is secure.






CAUTION: This lounge is designed the seating of one person at a time. Do not sit on head or foot flaps because it may topple over.