Second Place, Sports Picture Story - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, “Garrett’s Big Lift”SUMMARY: Garrett Ford, a 20-year-old person with autism, is a powerlifter, and is pound-for-pound one of the best lifters in the United States. His personal best deadlift is 505 pounds, almost three times his 175-pound body weight. He started lifting at 16, when he was a scrawny 115 pounds, Other kids at school bullied him for his size and disability. “I did not like being small,” he said. “I was a wimp.” Now, he’s preparing for his biggest competition yet: The Special Olympics World Games in Abu Dhabi.Garrett Ford knocks out a round of dumbbell curls while training in his basement gym on Monday, February 11, 2019 at his home in Pataskala, Ohio.
Second Place, Sports Picture Story - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, “Garrett’s Big Lift”After getting into a brief argument with his stepsister, Grace, left, Garrett Ford embraces her and his mother, Leah, right, to apologize while at the Arnold Sports Festival on Sunday, March 3, 2019 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. "Family is hugely important to Garrett," Leah Yost said. "He's definitely a peacemaker."
Second Place, Sports Picture Story - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, “Garrett’s Big Lift”After loading twenty 50-pound bags of horse feed, Garrett Ford navigates the 1,000-pound cart through aisles while working at Rural King on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 in Heath, Ohio. Garrett works part-time at the store as a loader.
Second Place, Sports Picture Story - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, “Garrett’s Big Lift”Garrett Ford listens to music as his grandfather, Bill Lane, drives him to Old School Gym for an early-morning lifting session on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 in Pataskala, Ohio. Driving and other independent activities for young adults are difficult for Garrett as a result of his autism, and he has to rely on family members and other social service agencies to get around.
Second Place, Sports Picture Story - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, “Garrett’s Big Lift”Trainer Thomas Covert checks the positioning of Garrett’s shoulders while spotting him as he back squats on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at Old School Gym in Pataskala, Ohio.
Second Place, Sports Picture Story - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, “Garrett’s Big Lift”After finishing their lifting session, Garrett, right, does bodybuilding poses with his trainer, Thomas Covert, left, as Dustin Myers takes a picture of the pair on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at Old School Gym in Pataskala, Ohio. It was Garrett's last session with Thomas before heading to Abu Dhabi for the Special Olympics World Games.
Second Place, Sports Picture Story - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, “Garrett’s Big Lift”Garrett Ford chats with from left, Andrew Fuss, Thomas Fuss and Jesse Batarseh, who he met while training at Old School Gym, while walking around at the Arnold Fitness Expo on Sunday, March 3, 2019 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. Before getting into powerlifting, Garrett was shy and didn't have many friends, but lifting has grown his social circle and his confidence when interacting with others.
Second Place, Sports Picture Story - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, “Garrett’s Big Lift”Garrett Ford gives participation medals to competitors following the deadlift competition at the Arnold Sports Festival on Sunday, March 3, 2019 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. Before leaving for the Special Olympics World Games, Garrett was invited to present awards at the event and to be recognized as a member of Team USA.
Second Place, Sports Picture Story - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, “Garrett’s Big Lift”After packing Garrett's protein powder in a reusable bag for him as she prepares for his upcoming trip to the Special Olympics World Games, Leah shows Garrett how to seal the bag closed on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at his home in Pataskala, Ohio. Garrett struggles to remember things like small, repetitive tasks because of his autism, so Leah makes it a point to teach and remind him how to do things.
Second Place, Sports Picture Story - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, “Garrett’s Big Lift”Garrett Ford sits with little brother, Connor, as the pair watch videos while Leah finishes packing Garrett's luggage the night before his trip to Abu Dhabi for the Special Olympics World Games on Tuesday, March 5, 2019 at his home in Pataskala, Ohio.
Second Place, Sports Picture Story - Joshua A. Bickel / The Columbus Dispatch, “Garrett’s Big Lift”Garrett's grandmother Jackie Mossman says goodbye as he leaves to board his flight to Newark en route to Abu Dhabi for the Special Olympics World Games on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at John Glenn International Airport in Columbus, Ohio. During the competition, Garrett swept his events, winning gold in the deadlift, squat, bench press and the overall competition. Following this performance, Garrett plans to compete among his able-bodied peers.
