Ruth Broemmer
1981
Ruth was born in 1944 to Walter and Catrine Broemmer, the third of three girls. At just five months old, she contracted polio, which left her significantly paralyzed. Many years of therapy using the Sister Kenny methods, along with leg surgery at Saint Charles Hospital in Port Jefferson, New York—then dedicated to polio victims—gave her limited use of her arms.
Although Ruth used a wheelchair her entire life, that never hindered her zest for life and adventure. She attended Plandome Road School, participating through an intercom system and receiving home visits from teachers after school. Ruth later attended Garden City High School, where she used the elevator to attend classes.
Ruth went on to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, where she was introduced to wheelchair sports. She continued her education at Hofstra University, earning graduate degrees in Psychology and English. Professionally, Ruth worked as an Assistant Vice President at Chase Manhattan Bank.
Ruth competed in seven Paralympic Games, first in track and field, and later in table tennis. She was a key member of Team USA at:
The 1972 Paralympic Games in Heidelberg, Germany
The 1976 Paralympics in Toronto, Canada
The 1980 Games in Arnhem, Netherlands
The 1984 competition in New York and Stoke Mandeville
The 1988 Games in Seoul, South Korea
The 1992 Paralympics in Barcelona, Spain
The 1996 Games in Atlanta, Georgia
In total, Ruth earned three gold medals, six silver medals, and one bronze medal. She notably won the first gold medal in wheelchair slalom for the United States at the 1972 Games.
Beyond the Paralympics, Ruth competed internationally in Australia, China, England, France, Italy, and Korea, as well as in national competitions held in New York City, Atlanta, Georgia, and San Jose, California.
Ruth’s exceptional athletic ability, enduring spirit, and longevity in competition served as an inspiration to all who knew her.