My Valentine

It's been one year since I wrote a CP Optimist Column and I couldn't ask for a better time to get back in the groove than to reflect on my own valentine. Her name is Shannon McCarthy a girl whose heart of gold has completely stolen my own. Today and every day we've been together, she has shown me what it truly means to care for someone.

 

Throughout my long life of 23 years, I've spent much time worrying about finding the girl who would accept me for not only my strengths, but also my weaknesses. This includes my Cerebral Palsy.  For those who know me, I've never considered my Cerebral Palsy a weakness. However, for those who have Cerebral Palsy, it's hard to explain to those who don't have it the struggles one can go through on a daily basis.

At times I've shied away from relationships because I was scared to explain why I had trouble cutting my food at dinner, the pain I feel on a daily basis, and yes I've had experiences with girls who were embarrassed to be with me because of the way I walked.  Although these people are not worth my time, it can leave scars knowing that world can be so cruel as to make you feel that you're no worth anyone's time.

Yet when I'm with Shannon, the physical pain I feel throughout my body subsides and it's as if time is standing still. Every day when she asks me how I'm feeling, helps me when I have trouble cutting my food, or tells me that I'm perfect just the way I am, makes me beyond excited for what the future holds for us.

Babe I'm not perfect. In fact, nobody is. But I do think we're perfect for each other and our flaws make us who we are.  Throughout life we will experience issues that can make life difficult at times. However, just know that no matter what those difficulties may be, I will always be there for you and I love you.  You're my hero, my soul mate, my love. Happy Valentine's Day!

Simko to compete for the World Arm Wrestling Championship in Brazil

Back in August of 1984 Tom Simko of Harding found himself at Bentley’s Irish Pub located on Drinker Street in Dunmore. Simko who was 23-years-old at the time went to Bentley’s every Saturday to play pool and make cash bets with different customers. According to Simko, pool was his niche and he was always looking for the next big challenge. 

On that night  in August of ’84 however, Simko was presented with a new challenge that would change his life forever. Simko was playing pool and as usual, he was the man to beat. As the night went on a man approached him challenging him to an arm wrestling match on the bar counter. Simko said, it was quite the sight to see.

"Imagine Al Pacino arm wrestling Arnold Schwarzeneggar, that's the scenario I was in," Simko said.

Simko standing 5-feet-7-inches and weighing only 143 pounds was going against what he called "a mountain of muscle," standing well over 6 feet and weighing more than 250 pounds.

But Simko never backed down from a challenge no matter how big or small, and this was no different. Simko gripped the other man's hand having to use three telephone books just to reach it. As the crowd laughed and cheered for for who they thought would be the winner, Simko's face was stern but relaxed.

"I competed and trained for in martial arts for years which taught me how to focus my mind past my limits," Simko said. "It's what you do when you go to break a board for example."

 As the crowd continued to snicker and jeer Simko noticed there was one man in the back who had his eyes glued on the match with a certain intensity in his face. When the bartender said go Simko pinned the giant in about a half of a second and the bar just went silent.

“Nobody in the bar could believe it I had to beat the guy three more times just to show them it wasn’t a fluke,” Simko said.

 However, the man who looked on silently was not shocked at all. After the match he introduced himself as Val Mykarlo a former two time national champion back in the early 1970’s. Mykarlo said Simko was a natural.

"Tom was a quick learner and a good listener," Mykarlo said. "I remember telling him that night you got you way at arm wrestling, now I'll show you the right way to arm wrestle."

 For the next week Mykarlo taught Simko different techniques such as the “hook” and the “top roll.” According to Mykarlo, “A top roll is when you come over your opponents hand and rotate your wrist just as if you were going to check your watch. A hook is when you twist your wrist inside and press into the other person’s wrist.”

Now 28-years-later Simko will be competing in the World Arm Wrestling Tournament on September 9 in Brazil. The tournament is a double elimination stand up style competition featuring 60 different countries with over 200 competitors in Simko's weight class.

"I've been training hard climbing trees to increase my grip and getting plenty of practice time with Val to practice my technique," Simko said.

Over the years Simko competed in 12 states and three countries beating anyone that came across his path. He also took the two techniques that Mykarlo taught him and developed his own technique which he calls the cobra. Simko said he is the only arm wrestling competitor to use this technique.

"I grab the meat of the opponents' hand blocking their fingers from rotating, then I suck their arm back into my power like a vacuum," Simko said.

Although Simko is no stranger to traveling, this his first time competing in the World Arm Wrestling Tournament which Simko calls the Olympics of arm wrestling. Simko will be facing a rival American named "Stormin" Norman who beat Simko last March at the national competition in the finals. The top three in each weight class at nationals are the competitors who qualified for the world tournament. Simko and Norman have been competing for years and at age 70, Simko still has yet to beat Norman.

"I'm predicting we'll meet up in the top three of our weight class and whether I beat him or not, I'll be sure to give him a run for his money," Simko said.

Simko also has help from competitors he trains every Saturday at Diane's Deli located on main street in Pittston. One of those students Matt Degilio qualified in the amateur division at nationals and we'll be competing for the world amateur championship. Degilio says Simko is a legend in the sport of arm wrestling.

"It's cool when I hear other competitors yell there's Simko's boy walking up to the table," Degilio said.

Simko and Degilio practice for about five hours straight on the table practicing maneuvers until they can't feel their arms any longer.

"If you're not tired after practice you're not doing it right," Simko said. "Not only do I practice on the table but I also climb trees to increase my grip."

However, even though Simko has been training hard to win he admits that in the end, it's all about fun. "I'm going to give it my all but I don't have a lot of years in the sport so I'm going to make sure I have fun," Simko said.

Simko took third place on September 9 in his weight class and was featured on Arm TV.