Seven medals in England, 1981 — the Disabled Children’s Invitation International Games

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Transcribed by hand from the clipping and the plaque, October 13, 2026.

Matt Sesow, a sophomore from Waverly High, traveled to England this summer for competition in the Disabled Children's Invitation International Games, and became yet another Waverly Winner.

TRIUMPH IN ENGLAND

Matt Sesow went on a vacation this summer, but it wasn't any ordinary trip. Matt traveled abroad to England in early August for ten days. He traveled with 11 other Nebraskans, representing the United States, to compete in the Disabled Children's Invitation International Games.

Tryouts for the team were held during May in Omaha. Matt made the team without any difficulty and the long journey to England looked like a reality. One major obstacle was blocking Matt's trip though, a lack of funds. The group needed to raise $16,000 in two months to support the team's expenses. The money was finally raised through private donations, and Matt departed with his teammates and three coaches hoping to come away with victory.

The competition in England included track and field, swimming, ping pong, and archery. Matt brought home a total of seven medals, including two golds, one in the discus and one in a running relay. The team ended up in third place behind South Africa and England in the 21-team competition.

The United States team may have placed third, but Matt said that they had the best uniforms. Shirts, shorts, socks, shoes, sweat clothes, and other items were given to the team by NIKE sportswear. Competing for medals was only half of the trip for Matt and his teammates.

They traveled to many placecs [sic] of interest including Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abby, Big Ben, the London Tower, and George Washington's birthplace. Matt also saw the Crown Jewels of England and he said, "They were really neat, with lots of gold and big diamonds."

All of the teams also went to see a punk rock concert. Matt said, "There were about 50 punk rockers, some with bright red hair, others with mohawks trying to get into the concert, but they put it on just for the teams participating in the games." The group was called Siouxsie and the Banshees and they hit number one on the charts in England about a month before.

Matt concluded his vacation in London where he shopped for mementoes of his trip. Matt summed up his overseas adventure by saying, "It was an experience I will never [forget." — the clipping is cut off here]

Plaque: photograph "THE U.S.A. TEAM" above seven medals (four on the top row, three below), engraved plate:
MATT SESOW
DISABLED CHILDREN'S INVITATION
INTERNATIONAL GAMES
ENGLAND, 1981