Name
Pauly Montgomery
Pronouns/Gender
He/They
What type(s) of disability do you have or identify with?
Autism, ADHD
High School in Illinois that you Attended
Maine South High School
City of Where You Went to High School
Park Ridge, IL
Sports that You Played in High School
Football
Describe your experience playing high school sports.
Coaches treated me like everyone else. They were amazing. A little bullying but I was used to it so it didn’t bother me, I just crossed them off my list as people I wanted to hang out with. I had some strong connections with my teammates, I knew a lot of them already and we got closer because I wasn’t given special treatment. I really didn’t need any. I liked going every day and seeing my friends. I don’t think there was a special moment, it was all fun. Senior year I went to the state championship as a fan, and we won, which was fun. When a family member died, my teammate and friend told the social worker he wanted to cheer me up so we got to take a picture together with the trophy. I learned that I’m tough. Not everyone makes the team, and not every stays the whole time. I never gave up. The only reasons I didn’t play after freshman year was because I went to boarding school sophomore year and junior year because I was not supported academically at all. I came back senior year but I didn’t want to try out because that coach was too loud and intense. I had fun as a fan.
How can coaches, high schools, school districts, and the IHSA include more student-athletes with disabilities to participate and excel in sports?
Have a Varsity C, for people who just want to have fun. We could have practices and then go to the games as a group. We don’t have to play games with other teams, although it would be nice if eventually all high schools had a Varsity C.
Which changes would you like to see from the IHSA, when it comes to coaching student-athletes with disabilities and providing sports for student-athletes with disabilities?
Varsity C in all sports.
What adaptive or unified sports would you like to see offered in the IHSA?
Rowing. I rowed in middle school with the Chicago Rowing Foundation. It was a blast! We learned that I did best when no one was in the seat in front of me. We won our race at the regatta. That experience gave me the confidence to try out for and make the freshman football team.