Yale swimmer Deb Gruen is just four feet, seven inches tall. Because she has spina bifida, her legs don’t work well. In the water, she can’t kick and she has difficulty pushing off the wall. Out of the water, she uses a cane to walk. But none of that has deterred her.

The same goes for Harvard’s Beth Kolbe – a quadriplegic since age 14 when she sustained a spinal-cord injury in a car accident – and for Massachusetts’ Michael Prout, who was born with a shorter right arm, right leg and three fingers on his right hand. Add to the list Springfield’s Justin Zook, who was born with one leg larger than the other and has endured more than two dozen operations to lengthen his shorter leg.

Those four have one other important common denominator – they’re all NCAA student-athletes. While they may not be the fastest on their respective squads – their disabilities make that nearly impossible – they contribute to their programs in ways that command the respect of teammates, other athletes and fans.

Their hard work, dedication and determination also earned them a chance to compete at the 2008 Paralympic Games September 6-17 in Beijing.

All four cite their inclusive college environments as key to their athletics success. Gruen said when she arrived at Yale, her teammates were unfamiliar with her background, capabilities or goals. Now entering her junior year, Gruen believes her presence has driven home an important point: Athletes with disabilities work just as hard and compete as intensely as any other athlete.

“Even though it was difficult in the beginning, they’ve learned to accept me and realize that I’m good in my respective field,” she said.

Prout is also good in his respective field. So good, said Massachusetts coach Russ Yarworth, that Prout’s best time in the 500-yard freestyle is only about 20 seconds slower than the Minutemen’s top swimmer.

“The example he sets with challenging himself daily makes the rest of the team have that inspiration to do it themselves,” Yarworth said.

The same can be said of Zook, a freshman on the 2005 Springfield squad that captured the program’s first conference championship. Coming into the program, coach John Taffe encouraged Zook to be a role model by demonstrating that anything is possible.

Zook also led with solid performances in the pool. Earlier this year, the senior captain set a program record in the 200-yard backstroke.

Kolbe was the first disabled student-athlete to join the Harvard swimming program under the direction of head coach Stephanie Morawski. “We were not sure how it was going to work,” Morawski admitted.

But Kolbe was not only inspirational, she also added another level of excitement to home crowds at Blodgett Pool, especially when records were at stake. “Everyone is absolutely impressed by her and I think she inspires many,” Morawski said.