Jamal Allen instructs his student athletes from a wheelchair, continuing to make a difference in the lives of his kids, writes Nick Iadonisi for 6abc.
Allen, also known as “Coach Shake” coaches Chester High track and the Chester Cheetahs track club, a program for track athletes from age 4 to 18
“I ran track since I was six years old,” he said, starting with the Chester Blazers.
He went on to college, to Lincoln University, before the accident in 2007. The only survivor, he lost his sister and cousin.
“My journey changed,” he said.
One of his teammates told him that even though he was in a wheelchair he still had the athletic knowledge and encouraged him to spread that knowledge.
“And that’s what got me going.”
He turned his expertise and his motivation toward guiding the young track teams.
“I’m in a wheelchair and I can’t physically show the kids, but I have a bond with them. It’s just like they automatically know what I’m talking about.”
“I told them I could have been negative about my accident, but I wasn’t. And I’m still out here…I’m here literally until the wheels fall off,” he said.
Read more about Jamal Allen at 6abc.
