Sports & Recreation

Project Healing Waters

2008-06-23T21:27:00Z

Creation of Project Healing Waters is a fairly simple story.

Capt. Ed Nicholson retired from Navy service in fairly good health, but four years ago he needed a surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. During his recovery he observed soldiers returning from Afghanistan and Iraq with losses of arms and legs, vision and hearing, all sorts of disability. He wanted to do something. Then he thought of his true sporting love: fly fishing.

The result is a nonprofit group that plans fishing trips for patients from 19 Veterans Administration hospitals and counting all across the nation.

On the Web site, projecthealingwaters.org, a testimonial comes from Brian Mancini. He does not state his branch of military service, or describe his injury or wound. He simply explains that he had been receiving treatment at Walter Reed for nine months when he joined an excursion.

"This was my first time fly fishing, and I just wanted to say through this experience you have made me a fly fisher for life," Mancini writes. "The generosity and kindness of the people affiliated with this organization was overwhelming. There is a healing that no doctor or medical professional can prescribe that will replace the healing of the heart and mind I experienced on this trip."

He adds: "Not only have you welcomed me, but you welcomed my wife (Ashley) and made a fly
fisher out of her. Thank you for an incredible experience and I look forward to future experiences with this outstanding organization."

Nicholson didn't start with huge ideas. He chatted up a few Walter Reed patients, teaching how to tie flys and how to cast into streams. Gradually he saw the potential. His sales pitches to Trout Unlimited and the Federation of Fly Fishers drew positive responses, and he now has more than 20 sponsors.

He emphasizes, as Brian Mancini testifies, that the intent of accessible fly fishing goes beyond luring some prize catches. He speaks of "emotional and physical therapy." He wants patients with a disability to do all that they can for themselves, but volunteers always are on hand. On some occasions, so are outdoor grill cooks and local musicians.

Volunteers who are financially able contribute money as well for Project Healing Waters, which relies entirely on private donations.

National headquarters is in Washington, D.C., with an email address of admin@projecthealingwaters.org. However, there also are eight regional outposts. Instead of using "admin" at the start, options are Mid-Atlantic, New England, Northeast, Midwest, Southern, Southwest, Rocky Mountain and Northwest.

The address for Project Healing Waters is P.O. Box 695, La Plata, MD 20646. The phone number is (301) 399-7396. Contributions are tax deductible.

Sources:
www.projecthealingwaters.org/html/press/manciniletter.html
www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/10/AR2008051002116.html
www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyid=8996447

The 2008 WSUSA National Championships and IWAS World Games

2008-06-23T20:34:00Z

It is an exciting time of the year as the WSUSA National Junior Disability Championships and IWAS Junior World Wheelchair and Amputee Games gear up for the July events. It is not too late to go ahead and plan on attending the WSUSA National Junior Disability Championships and IWAS Junior World Wheelchair and Amputee Games for this year.

Location of the Games
The events will be held at Rutgers University, Piscataway, New Brunswick, New Jersey. The Radisson Hotel in Piscataway, New Jersey is located near the University. It is serving as a host hotel for the IWAS division of the events.

The Embassy Suites Hotel in Piscataway, New Jersey and the Comfort Suites in Somerset, New Jersey will serve as host hotel and over flow hosting hotels for the events.

The hotels have many accommodations that are friendly and accessible. They even include meal plans and menus for those that wish to take advantage of this service.

Sponsors of the Games
These games have sponsors in Platinum, Gold, Silver and even Friend Games. This is great because it is a chance for everyone to receive awards and to enjoy the events.

The Platinum awards are sponsored by Kohl's Department Stores and have prizes of more than $100,000. The Gold awards are more than $20,000. They are sponsored by the US Paralympics and the company Johnson and Johnson. Silver awards are more than $5,000 and sponsored by Staples. The Bronze awards are more than $1,000 and sponsored by Avis.

Games Available at the Event
All games will be held at Rutgers University, located near the hosting hotels. In the IWAS sports there will be athletics, lots of swimming and challenging weightlifting. For the NJDC sports there will be athletics, swimming, more weightlifting, archery, active table tennis and three-on-three basketball.

The IWAS has no standards for the sport qualification. The NJDC is by sport and it is recommended that you visit the WSUSA site for the sport qualification standards.

Schedule of Activities for the Games
The events will be held July 18 to July 26. On Friday and Saturday, there will be registration and classification for sports. Sunday the opening ceremonies will be held, followed by the NJDC 5000 M. Monday you can find NJDC Field and IWAS 5000M. Tuesday is very busy with IWAS and NJDC Swimming, IWAS Field and closing off with NJDC Archery and Table Tennis. Wednesday will be both divisions for Swimming and NJDC Penthalon. Thursday you can find both divisions for Track and Power Lift to be followed by NJDC Bench Press. Friday is both divisions for Track and NJDC basketball. Saturday is both divisions for some great track and the final closing banquet for all participants.

Source:
http://www.iwasjr.us/

Kayaking Venice with a Disability

2008-06-16T22:58:00Z

Surprised and excited, I accepted the invitation to be the first ‘Point 65’ sponsored paddler. “Can I be a sponsored paddler if I can’t roll a kayak?” I asked.

“Absolutely. And would you like to kayak in Venice next weekend?”

“Would I?!” Although I have 12 years of paddling experience, I couldn’t believe anyone would consider sponsoring a weeble in a kayak. Paralysed from chest level down, I find balancing a challenge.

This adventure included a flight bound for the Bibione Kayak Gathering in northern Italy, just east of Venice; turquoise water; golden beaches; friendly kayakers; ice cream; and sunshine. I couldn’t wait.

To help with my balance in a kayak, I use a back-rest to give me extra support. It’s tricky to fit into any boat without a collection of extra foam and glue. I also use a kayak with good initial stability, to prevent me from tipping a degree too far and losing it. My own kayak is all fitted out for me, and I wasn’t sure I’d find a suitable kayak from the collection in Bibione.

A colorful arc of kayaks by the beach whets my appetite for getting on the water. I cast my eyes over the Point 65 kayaks, seeking one with a relatively stable hull shape (flatter-bottomed), and with a larger cockpit—just to make sure I’d be able to get out if I fell in. Luckily, the seat designs easily accommodated my back support, and within minutes, I was ready to join the group on the water. We glided into the sheltered lagoon, a bathwater sea, feeling buoyant with the atmosphere of Italy.

This was the first annual Bibione Kayak Gathering, based at ‘Camping Capalonga’ (www.capalonga.com), a fantastically wheelchair accessible base, with wheel-friendly cabins, sandwiched on a point of land between a laguna and the Mediterranean Sea. On one side of the camp is calm water, ideal for beginners or for refining techniques, and on the other, rolling banks of surf for the more adventurous.

The week begins with a grand event: the ‘Vogalonga’, a non-competitive, fun, 33km event exploring the alleys and corners of Venice. It is open to any form of non-motorised craft—kayaks, gondolas, rowing boats—anything goes.

The organizers of the Bibione Kayak Gathering, with Point 65, would like to encourage more disabled kayakers to join the event, and plan a particular focus on this in 2009. With its great wheelchair access, wide selection of kayaks to choose from, warm water, and the option to choose calm or more challenging conditions, it is an ideal event for either beginners or more advanced paddlers.

“Would you like to go kayaking in Venice next year?”

If you would like to join the event, anytime between May 30 and June 7, 2009, find more information at www.bibionekayak.com. View some of the kayaks at www.point65.com. If you have a disability and would like to join, please e-mail karen@inspireandimpact.com so that we can ensure appropriate support. For logistical reasons, there will be a limited number of places for beginners with a disability.

Dolphin Therapy for Children with Disabilities

2008-06-11T23:10:00Z

A child’s first words. The sound of his laughter. Spontaneous movement. These are just some of the things we might take for granted unless we have a child with a disability. In that case, such sounds and motions take on new significance. For some children and adults, dolphin therapy (also known as dolphin assisted therapy (DAT) and dolphin human therapy (DHT)) provides the right mix of stimuli to reach new levels of communication and motion.

Dr. John Lilly, a physician and psychoanalyst, first studied the idea of dolphins being therapeutic in the 1960s. His studies of dolphin-human communication suggested that dolphins could help humans learn to better communicate with one another. In the 1970s, educational anthropologist Dr. Betsy Smith noticed the therapeutic effects of dolphins on her disabled brother, and she and other researchers began to study the effects of dolphin interaction on children with neurological impairments.

Based on his own studies in the 1980s, Dr. David Nathanson of the Dolphin Human Therapy Center in Florida developed dolphin human therapy. Today, dozens of programs around the world focus on communication, speech, fine or gross motor skills, and/or specific behaviors using the dolphin interactions as a positive reward.

Generally, the therapy programs incorporate physical, occupational, speech, music, Watsu (a form of water therapy), and/or expressive art therapy into the dolphin interactions. After giving a correct motor, cognitive, or language response, children interact with the dolphin from a dock or in the water by touching, kissing, taking a short ride holding onto the dolphin’s dorsal fin, or dancing in a circular motion with the dolphin. After the dolphin interaction, the therapist and child again focus on the desired task or behavior. The length and frequency of dolphin therapy varies greatly from one organization to another, ranging from a single session to week, month, or yearlong programs.

While no existing studies prove definitively how dolphin therapy works, researchers have studied several possibilities. One theory suggests that the natural sonar used by dolphins underwater to localize things and communicate has a therapeutic effect. Blood samples analyzed before and after therapy showed that swimming with dolphins increased endorphins (feel-good hormones), certain enzymes, and T-cells (indicators of a stronger immune system).

Studies also show that interacting with dolphins drops brain-wave frequency from the usual awake beta level to alpha—a more relaxed state. Being with dolphins has also been shown to synchronize both sides of the brain, a state typically associated with heightened awareness and increased learning ability. And while it has also been suggested that dolphins can sense areas of disability and physical trauma and motivate children to use these parts, it’s likely that other factors, including being in the water, swimming outdoors, and interacting with therapists, all contribute to the positive results.

Regardless of how and why it works, dolphin therapy has repeatedly shown positive results, sometimes in children who didn’t respond to more traditional forms of therapy. Some of the reported effects include improved mood and ability to maintain calm, improved communication, increased attention span, increased confidence and self esteem, improved gross or fine-motor skills, better coordination, better eye contact, a strengthened immune system, and simple yet profound behaviors of smiling, laughing, speaking, and touching.

Children with a wide array of conditions have responded to dolphin therapy, including those with autism, Down syndrome, global developmental delay, ADHD, head and spinal cord injuries, muscular paralysis, depression, hyperactivity, and cerebral palsy.

While dolphin therapy is not a miracle cure, it can provide an effective adjunct to traditional therapy settings and offer a welcome—and memorable—reprieve from usual day-to-day concerns.

Photos courtesy of Water Planet USA

Resources
Abstracts
Aqua Thought
Dolphin Assisted Therapy (DAT)
Dolphin Human Therapy (DHT)
Dolphin Reef Eilat
Dolphin Research Center
Island Dolphin Care
JF2 Dolphin Project
Lei Aloha Center Dolphins and You
Vallarta Adventures Water Planet USA

A Mountain Bike for People with SCI

2008-06-11T22:23:00Z

Mother Nature has been wise enough to create two laws of physics that, when used properly, can make life for those of us with limited mobility feel less restricted—even liberated. Those concepts are buoyancy, as in swimming, scuba diving, or snorkeling, and gravity, as in skydiving, skiing, bungee jumping, or mountain biking downhill.

It was gravity that motivated Dr. Jeff Rosenbluth, director of spinal cord injury and director of the TRAILS (Therapeutic Recreation and Independent Lifestyles) program at the Rehabilitation Center at University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics to begin collaboration with the university’s Department of Mechanical Engineering.

The reason for the collaboration: the development of an off-road “mountain chair” that would enable people with high-level (C6) spinal cord injuries to experience the thrill and freedom of true downhill mountain biking—safely. The revolutionary machine, still in the prototype stage, will make it possible for spinal cord injury survivors with minimal shoulder, tricep and wrist movement to steer and brake, while high-profile wheels enhance side-to-side stability, preventing it from tipping over.

It features rack and pinion steering, with “tank-like” levers that steer either wheel, on a 1:3 ratio. It means a high-level quadriplegic (C-6) with some tricep and shoulder motion can safely negotiate a downhill mountain trail or road. It also has a Recaro type seat with shoulder harness and a roll bar/cage to protect the rider.

The brakes are designed to use simple wrist extension while minimizing muscle fatigue. In its current stage, propulsion is either provided by someone pushing it uphill, or gravity pulling it downhill.

Future enhancements will deal with weight reduction, ergonomics, and continued integration of controls, propulsion, and reproducibility.

“The ultimate goal of the mountain chair is to allow spinal cord injury patients to be able to get out and enjoy the outdoors with family and friends,’ says Dr. Rosenbluth. It fits nicely with the stated mission of TRAILS, which is to “promote healthy and active lifestyles for individuals with spinal cord injury or disease through the educational, social, and psychological components of recreation.”

While you may not see a “mountain chair” on the trail this year, you will in the not too distant future. It’s just one example of what can happen when vision meets ingenuity and technology. It means that more people with severe spinal cord injuries will be able to take advantage of the law of gravity, as enacted by Mother Nature.

For more information about the Mountain Chair, contact Melissa Zahl, 801-581-8910, or Dr. Jeff Rosenbluth at 801-581-2334. For more information about TRAILS, please contact Tanja Kari at 801-581-2526.

Accessible Trails Dot North Carolina’s Barrier Islands

2008-06-09T17:55:00Z

Known collectively as the Outer Banks, the barrier islands that run from Nags Head down to Cape Hatteras offer a wide range of accessible trails, boardwalks, and wildlife viewing areas. Truth be told, they are one of North Carolina’s best kept secrets.

Pea Island
Located just 10 miles south of Nags Head, Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge (www.fws.gov/peaisland) tops the list for both access and wildlife viewing. This shore bird nesting haven is a prime habitat for wading birds; if you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the endangered peregrine falcon or piping plover.

The half-mile North Pond Wildlife Trail starts near the Visitor Center and winds halfway around the pond, out to an accessible viewing platform over the marsh. Half of the trail is paved and half is a boardwalk, but it’s all wide, level, and very accessible. The two-story viewing platform has ramped access to the lower level and a wheelchair-height spotting scope at the end. There are also a number of benches and resting places along the trail. It’s a great birding trail, but also an excellent choice for a leisurely nature walk.

Nags Head Finds
Further north, near milepost 12 in Nags Head, Jockey’s Ridge State Park (www.jockeysridgestatepark.com) is also worth a stop. This site features an intimate look at a large sand dune ecosystem, with an accessible boardwalk out over the dunes.

There is also an inaccessible interpretive trail across the sand; however alternative access in an all-terrain vehicle is available. There is no charge for this service, but advance reservations are required. Contact the park office at (252) 441-7132 for more information.

And don’t miss the Nags Head Woods Ecological Preserve. Just head up Highway 158, turn west on Ocean Acres Drive (at milepost 9.5), and follow the signs. At the end of the road, you’ll find the accessible Visitor Center surrounded by an expansive deck and viewing platform. Even though the trail around the pond isn’t accessible, this site is still worth a stop. It’s usually deserted, and you can get a good look at the biologically diverse maritime forest from the viewing platform. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the peace and quiet.

On the Mainland
Finally, save time for a stop at one of the newest accessible trails in the area; the Creef Cut Wildlife Trail at Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge (www.fws.gov/alligatorriver). Technically, Alligator River is located on the mainland, but it’s just a short drive on US 64, so it’s a shame to skip it.

The trailhead is located just off Highway 64 at Militia Road, where you’ll also find an accessible pit toilet and a new accessible fishing pier. The half-mile paved Creef Cut Trail runs alongside the river and connects to a short boardwalk over the marsh. It’s a great place for wildlife sightings, especially birds, black bears, and red wolves. It’s a very accessible way to experience an otherwise remote wildlife area, and definitely a must-do on any Outer Banks nature visit.

Candy Harrington is the editor of Emerging Horizons and the author of 101 Accessible Vacations; Travel Ideas for Wheelers and Slow Walkers. She blogs regularly about accessible travel issues at www.BarrierFreeTravels.com.

Beyond Boundaries: The BBC Portrays Disability in a New Light

2008-06-09T16:34:00Z

The BBC television series, Beyond Boundaries, attracts millions of viewers every episode. Each series is based on a group of participants with disabilities undertaking an adventurous journey. The first series saw a team cross Nicaragua from Pacific to Atlantic, summiting a volcano, and thrashing through jungle en route. Team members include amputees, wheelchair users, hearing and visual impairments, and a whole range of other congenital and sensory disabilities. The second series took a team 2,000km across Africa, from Victoria Falls to the Skeleton Coast by foot, crutch, special all-terrain wheelchair, donkeys, kayaks, and elephants. The most recent series has seen a multi-disability team cross the Andes.

Working as a team in an environment where human endurance is pushed to the extreme, the journeys certainly teach participants a lot about themselves and each other. Kim Williams has cerebral palsy and took part in the African challenge. Walking is difficult for her, and the expedition was a huge physical challenge. Frustration was a part of the adventure, to be sure, but overall she seems to have found it a positive experience.

“If individuals have aspirations—either dangerous or adventurous—then there’s no reason why their disability should stop them from achieving that.” (Kim Williams, quoted from an article in Able magazine).

Whilst Beyond Boundaries seems to be giving some participants a positive experience, I’ve heard viewers express a wide range of opinions—everything from “I can’t stand watching it; it’s just another dodgy reality TV show, voyeuristic . . .” to “It’s fantastic, so inspiring.”

In every series, some team members are sent home or choose to go home, for health or other reasons. It’s hardly surprising, given that participants are asked to do things which, without the right equipment or protection, are clearly going to be damaging. Being paralysed myself, keen on outdoor adventure, and an advocate of pushing boundaries, I ‘adventure’ with an acute awareness of the need for the right equipment, and the potential risks of not having it. For example, a pressure sore on your backside could put you out of action for a year. Have the producers perhaps overlooked some of these critical things that are the “make or break” of a successful expedition and experience for everyone?

I wonder if Beyond Boundaries is really about showing what can be done with a disability when you have good equipment and teamwork, or is it put together with more attention to drama and team breakdown—presumably with the notion that this will increase viewing statistics?

Either way, the Beyond Boundaries series has undoubtedly improved access to information about inclusive outdoor activities and expeditions. While some may not like it, Beyond Boundaries raises the aspirations of many people with disabilites and viewers, and improves the general public’s understanding of a diverse range of disabilities.

Interested to learn more? Type BBC Beyond Boundaries into any search engine. Or try http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/tvradio/beyondboundaries/
links.shtml as a source of more information if you’re interested in inclusive expeditions; there are lots of useful links here. The UK Royal Geographical Society Expedition Advisory Centre can also help: www.rgs.org/eac.

Jim Abbott: One-Handed Pitcher Turned Motivational Speaker

2008-06-06T18:21:00Z

Pitches from the left-hander are smoking toward home plate as fast as 94 mph.

If the batter hits one back up the middle, the moundsman will catch it with his left hand as well - and with a glove on the same previously bare hand that fired the pitch.

Magic? No, true fact. Jim Abbott of Flint, Michigan, pitched in college and the pros during the 1980s and 1990s. The reason for his glove-catch trickery was that he was born without a right hand.

He practiced as a child throwing a rubber ball against a wall. He learned to start his motion with his glove planted at the end of his right arm. After releasing the ball, he would transfer the mitt in a split second onto his left hand.

Some teams would test him with constant bunts but few succeeded, he recalls with satisfaction. This is a key point in motivational talks that he began giving after his major league retirement in 1999.

"So many great things can happen in life, if we can find our own way of doing things, and believe in ourselves no matter what challenges surround us," Abbott, 40, says on his personal web site.

"We have an obligation to the abilities that we do have, not to the disability."

Abbott pitched for champion teams at Flint Central High School and the University of Michigan, and also found a way to play quarterback for his prep football squad. He won the U.S. Olympic baseball team's gold-medal clincher over Japan in 1988, and his many national honors included the Sullivan Award for the most outstanding amateur athlete. Then he became history's 21st player to go straight to the major leagues with no apprenticeship in the minors, according to the Baseball Encyclopedia.

He performed for 10 seasons in the majors, compiling 81 wins against 108 defeats with teams that mostly were below average. He began with the California Angels and then served stints with the New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers.

"People will tell you that I overcame obstacles," Abbott says on his web site. "Maybe. But the truth is, I was incredibly blessed in my life. More was given than was ever taken away."

He gives his talks during an era in which sports for adults and children with disabilities are emphasized more than ever. Just one example is The Miracle League, which sparks construction of synthetic baseball diamonds that remove barriers. Adult and youth volunteers help the players swing the bat and travel the bases. The Miracle League of Michigan built its first facility five years ago in Southfield, the town of Abbott's birth. More than 200 parks nationwide are open or under construction.

At the adult level, American Athletes with Disabilities is among groups that push for community-based projects that aim for maximum participation and inclusion.

When he speaks to groups about overcoming adversity, Abbott goes far beyond the lack of a right hand. In fact, his greatest challenge eventually was linked to his supposedly healthy left arm.

Abbott as a teen and young adult seemed destined not only for a groundbreaking place in the major leagues, but for stardom. He won 28 games and lost only 6 at the University of Michigan. Professional teams pursued him not for novelty, but for his potential.

He won 12 games as a rookie for the Angels. He captured 18 victories during his third season, 1991, when he was a candidate for the Cy Young Award honoring baseball's best pitcher. He hurled a no-hitter for the Yankees against Cleveland in 1993, but that pretty much was his last hurrah.

His pitches slowed down, and he was unable to find a cause. Major league hitters showed no mercy, pummeling him so harshly that he suffered through a 1996 season of only 2 wins against 18 defeats. He attempted several comebacks but eventually retired at age 31, nearly a decade sooner than most players hang up their spikes.

"There were some incredible highlights and some agonizing lowlights," Abbott tells his audiences. "The truth is, I won't be going to the (Baseball) Hall of Fame. But if a career can be measured by special moments, lessons learned and connections with people, then I would stack mine up with anyone's."

Abbott's web site is www.jimabbott.info/biography.html. He includes tips for how to play baseball with one hand, and advice for parents of children who face physical challenges.

Adaptive Golf, Anyone?

2008-06-05T20:07:00Z

Adapting golf for individuals with disabilities has been a hot topic for disability rights over the past decade. At the turn of the millennium, there was a battle between Casey Martin and the PGA Tour over his use of a golf cart. Currently government and private courses are under fire for not providing accessible, single-rider carts. The good news: people with disabilities keep winning when it comes to golf access. Now with more awareness, specialized golf cars, instruction, and disability-friendly policies at golf courses throughout the United States, there are fewer excuses not to play. If you want to read more about the legal side of things, check out www.mobilitygolf.com.

The Equipment
Mobility Impairment: When it comes to adaptive sports, equipment and specialized instruction are what make it happen. One of the most exciting pieces of new equipment on the market is the Paragolfer. It was designed by Anthony Netto, is powered by Otto Bock, and is sold in the U.S. by www.legsdontwork.com . The Paragolfer is incredible for individuals with mobility impairments; the upright position allows you to use off-the-rack golf clubs and promotes many health benefits due to the standing position and range of motion. This is therapy and recreation in motion!

“Chucker” Golf: For those who have a difficult time hitting the long drive, chuck the little white ball instead. Cost is $34.95; it’s from Access to Recreation at this website: www.accesstr.com; log on and then select golf. My wife enjoys playing golf with me now, and is able to consistently chuck the ball 140 yards. Also available at Access to Recreation are a variety of clubs for playing from your wheelchair or single-rider style golf carts.

Visual Impairment: GPS golf units take the guesswork out of being a coach for golfers who are blind. Look up the distance, select the correct club, and swing away. With this technology the coach just has to focus on putting the club head behind the ball and, of course, keeping track of those lower scores. A few excellent choices can be made between $200-$400 from Sky Caddie www.skygolfgps.com or Upro www.uprogps.com.

Tee it up: Bending over may be the most difficult part of the game for many individuals with disabilities. A couple of nice products are available to set the tee, pick up a ball, or place a marker down without ever bending over. USA Golf Products, Inc offers the pro master or the EZ tee. If the only thing stopping you from playing is the inability to bend over, check out these products at www.usagpi.com.

Accessible Golf Courses: Whether you are looking to make your course accessible or asking for access at a local course, the National Alliance for Accessible Golf has the information you are looking for. They have two tool kits, one for golfers and one for Golf Course Owners and Operators. The information was designed by professional organizations, including the USGA, PGA, LPGA, NGCOA and more to answer many questions on “why” and “how” golf courses can be and should be made accessible www.accessgolf.org.

Adaptive Golf Organizations: Depending on your personal disability, many organizations are available to assist you in realizing your ability to play the game of golf:
National Amputee Golf Association: www.nagagolf.org
United States Blind Golf Association: www.blindgolf.com
Special Olympics: www.specialolympics.org
US Deaf Golf: www.usdeafgolf.org
National Alliance for Accessible Golf: www.accessgolf.org

"Golf, is a good walk spoiled." — Mark Twain

PGA Programs Utilize Golf as Recreational Therapy For Vets

2008-06-05T18:08:00Z

As military veterans return from conflict, they often find that their various injuries make it difficult to engage in the sports they previously enjoyed. Recently, the PGA has teamed up with a number of philanthropic organizations to utilize golf as a tool for rehabilitation, recreation, fundraising, and fun for returning veterans.

The Give Program
One such partnership is the GIVE (Golf for Injured Veterans Everywhere) program. A collaborative effort between the Iowa PGA, the Veterans Administration Hospital in Iowa City, and the Riverside Casino & Golf resort, the program is designed to improve the mental, social, physical, and emotional well being of veterans through golf.

The program was conceived by former veteran Louis King. Attendees receive training in all facets of the game, from dress code to driving, in addition to free rounds of golf, their own set of clubs, and shot analysis from PGA professionals. A pro-am fundraiser held in August of 2007 raised approximately 65,000 dollars for the foundation, and GIVE graduated its first class of golfers in January of 2008.

Response from participants has been positive; with many veterans stating that getting onto the links has helped them combat the mental, physical, and emotional effects of war. "This program has brought me closer to my wife," says Joe Corso, a 63-year-old former Sergeant with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. "The professionals I've met are not just going through motions. They look you in the eye; they care about you. I've started building a little more trust; I feel born again," he added.

PGA professionals volunteering as instructors also feel strongly about effects of the foundation. "We're not here because we're getting paid," said former Iowa PGA President Ken Schall of Des Moines. "We're here because of the veterans, and what they've done for us."

The PGA of America/DSUSA Military Golf Program
A partnership between Disabled Sports USA, the Wounded Warrior Disabled Sports Project, America Supports You, and the PGA, this program provides golf instruction for severely wounded veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

A total of seven weeks of instruction, the program is held at various locations across the country and consists of two hours of instruction per week. Instruction covers everything from fundamentals to rules, and also touches on the use of adaptive equipment and using golf as rehabilitation. At the end of each seven-week session, a three-hole golf scramble tournament is held for participants.

Patriot Golf Day
Held between August 29th and September 1st, the Patriot Golf Day debuted last year at over 3,200 golfing facilities worldwide. The fundraiser, conceived by PGA professional and F-16 pilot Dan Rooney, raised more than $1.1 million for the families of veterans who have been injured or perished in the line of duty in Iraq or Afghanistan. The money was raised by golfers at public facilities who added an extra dollar to their greens fee, and private facilities asking for donations.

For more information on the GIVE program, visit http://www.playgolfamerica.com/

Sarah Reinertsen: Ironwoman

2008-06-04T16:04:00Z

Sarah Reinertsen is an amazing athlete who has dedicated her life to being a positive role model for athletes with disabilities. She has been a pioneer in the world of athletics and has reached goals that few people thought she could reach. One of her biggest accomplishments has been finishing the Konoa, Hawaii Ironman Championship. She was the first amputee to do this.

Background
Sarah Reinertsen was born with a physical anomaly called proximal femoral focal deficiency, or PFFD. This disorder caused her left leg to be deformed and weaker than her right leg. Between the ages of 11 months and 7 years Sarah used a leg brace to help her walk, however, at the age of 7 her left leg was amputated above the knee and she was fitted for a prosthetic leg. While a very capable young girl, the prejudices, or rather lack of understanding, by her school forced Sarah to spend a lot of play time alone.

Fortunately, this all changed when she participated in a track meet that was held for young athletes who had disabilities. This track meet faced Sarah Reinertsen against other girls that had missing legs and that used adaptive devices to ambulate. This was what she needed to see that she could be a top athlete despite her physical challenges. This one event would set into motion an inspirational career that would change the way the world looked at athletes with mobility challenges.

Training for the Ironman Championship in Konoa, Hawaii
Throughout Sarah Reinertsen's development she was a pioneer. She was one of the first people to try out the prosthetic running foot and she was also one of the first team members of Team Flex Foot. Sarah used innovative adaptive technology to help her improve her performance in marathons and other foot races.

In 2004 Sarah Reinertsen decided to amp up her athleticism and try to qualify for the Ironman Championship, which is perhaps the most challenging triathlon in the world. Few people thought she could qualify for this race, let alone finish it, but she surprised everyone when she qualified for the event for the first time in 2004. Unfortunately, her first attempt at this event was discouraging as she missed the cut off for the bike segment of the race by 15 minutes.

Despite this set-back Sarah did not give up on her dream to complete this harrowing race. She simply signed on a new trainer, developed a more effective nutrition and training schedule and came back stronger in 2005. This is the year that she not only qualified for the event, but she also finished the event 55 minutes faster than her trainers and supporters had anticipated. This was an amazing achievement since she uses up twice the energy and 40 percent more oxygen then the competitors that have two legs.

Overcoming Obstacles
Sarah Reinertsen's story is indeed one of inspiration for all athletes that face some sort of challenge in their careers. She is the first person to tell you that she was born "different." However, the difference that she is referring to has nothing to do with her missing leg. It instead has to do with her spirit, her drive for success and her willingness to take risks. It is these cornerstones of her personality that led to the development of her success and the development of her personal motto "always try!"

Sharing Accessible Sports Activities with Your Significant Other

2008-06-03T21:21:00Z

Sharing sports activities is a great way to bond with your significant other. However, some couples shy away from sharing sports activities because one partner has a disability. If you have a partner who has a disability and you both enjoy sports, then there is no reason why you can't participate in sports together. All you have to do is brainstorm ways to make the sports you select accessible for both of you. These tips will help.

Hiking
Hiking is one of the most popular sports in the world. Hiking is inexpensive and just about anyone can do it. To make hiking more accessible for you and your partner all you have to do is identify what special needs you need to accommodate and then find a way to accommodate that need. For example, if you or your partner is in a wheelchair, you can both still go hiking. All you have to do is find a hiking trail that is wheelchair accessible. Many state and national parks now design their trails to be wheelchair accessible.

Fishing
Fishing is another popular recreation that couples like to do together. This sport is great if you have a disability as it really doesn't require a lot of "activity." The only real physical challenges are going to be getting down to the water, getting back up to the car and possibly manipulating the reel. If getting to and from the water is the problem simply look for a public fishing access that has a boat launch. You can use the ramp to get down to the water. Many public fishing access parks also have ramps and trails that are designed to help people with mobility issues access the beach. If you or your partner needs help manipulating the reel, then you will need to rig up a reel extension to make it easier to grip and operate while fishing.

Running
If you are an active couple that would like to run together then you are in luck. Because of the popularity of the sport of running, many technical advances have been made to running prosthetics. Other modifications that you can make to this sport so that you can both enjoy it together include: running on paved tracks, taking it slow, utilizing motorized wheelchairs or utilizing an adult sized off-road push chair.

Swimming
Perhaps one of the best sports to share when one partner has a disability is swimming. Swimming is very accessible for people with a wide range of disabilities. This is because the water offers support of your weight and the act of swimming is very easy on your joints. Further modifications to this sport can also be made to make it even more accessible. For example, you can wear a life jacket, you can use flotation devices and you can use a hydraulic lift to get you or your partner in and out of the pool. Some pools even have a ramp that you can use to get into and out of the pool while in a wheelchair.

Sharing Your Love of Sports
Staying active as a couple is not only going to help keep both of you healthy, but it is also going to help improve the strength of your relationship. When one partner has a disability you will need to find ways to modify the sports that you are interested in so that both of you can participate in those sports. Modifications can be as simple as looking for a wheelchair accessible track or trail to as complex as designing special sports equipment. Whatever modifications need to be made, the investment of time and resources will be worth it, as these investments will provide you with countless opportunities to enjoy time together.

Handcycling: A Great Accessible Fitness Option

2008-06-03T20:50:00Z

When asked to connect sports with disability, many people think of athletic competitions such as wheelchair races. They also focus on individual heroes, such as Canadian quadriplegic Jim Milina climbing Mount Kilimanjaro six years ago.

For the millions of rank-and-file Americans who combat disability, however, the basic desire is for simple non-competitive exercise. Among the most popular outlets of the past 20 years is handcycling, which goes far beyond the traditional wheelchair by leaps and bounds. Cycles are adapted to provide exercise for a sports and fitness buff with any sort of lower-limb disability: spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis.

"Manufacturers began to realize that only a small percentage of the community with a disability really wanted to race, but the rest still wanted to exercise", reports Adaptive Adventures, a non-profit organization based in Evergreen, Colorado, that promotes outdoor exercise for anyone challenged by disability.

"The handcycle was introduced as a strictly recreational piece of equipment, enabling it to develop in a more sensible fashion. Today, there is a mass-produced handcycle for almost everybody. Of course, racing versions weren't far behind", writes Jan L. Lawless for Adaptive Adventures.

Fitness and exercise benefits are similar to those for runners, joggers or cyclists who do not face disability. Cardiovascular health is advanced, weight is maintained, sleep comes more easily, diseases are combatted, and muscles are toned. Fitness and exercise through sports also promote improved mental health and awareness, according to the Mayo Clinic in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Adaptive Adventures and the Mayo Clinic also promote water sports such as skiing and kayaking, and experts at the clinic assert that with creativity, almost any sport or game can be adapted.

Handcycling equipment was difficult to find during the genesis of the sport in the early 1980s, according to the U.S. Handcycling Federation, another nonprofit group. "The earliest equipment was clunky and expensive", states the federation's web page. Adaptations came quickly. Riders now may sit upright, as in a desk chair, or recline deeply, as if resting on a sofa. "The beauty of adaptive cycling is that it is truly a multi-disability sport", Lawless writes for Adaptive Adventures. "No two disabilities are identical, and there are endless adaptations that can be made."

A sport fitness handcycle even exists to promote fitness for those with a sight disability. Only a few of those who face disability will take fitness and exercise into the competitive sports arena, but an athlete with a disability often provides a role model. Sir Ludwing Guttman in 1948 organized events in England for solders in World War II who had been rendered with disability. This led to creation of the Paralympic Games, which in 2004 attracted 2,806 athletes from 136 nations. Handcycling was among the highlight competitions.

Sources:
Adaptive Adventures, www.adaptiveadventures.org
U.S. Handcycling Federation, www.ushandcycling.org
Mayo Clinic, www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/
CORD, Climbing Over Restrictions and Disability Society,
www.cordclimbs.cagroups.yahoo.com/groups/handcyclists
Creative Mobility, www.creativemobility.org

Pikes Peak Challenge Benefit to Raise Money for TBI

2008-05-30T22:22:00Z

On September 6, 2008, more than 450 hikers will participate in the Pikes Peak challenge to raise money and awareness for Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). The event, an annual occurrence held in Manitou Springs, Colorado, was first organized in 1975 by the parents of a high-school girl who had sustained TBI in an auto accident. Today, approximately 10 percent of those who make the trek are brain injury survivors.

The hike begins at Manitou Springs Park and ascends up the 13-mile Barr Trail to the summit of Pikes Peak. By the time they crest the summit, hikers will have climbed a total of 7,400 vertical feet. Transportation will be provided back down via the Pikes Peak highway, and participants will be treated to a picnic lunch upon their return to the park.

Registration for the event begins on June 1, and is limited to the first 450 hikers. According to organizers, it takes an average hiker approximately 8 hours to reach the summit, but hike time varies from four to 12 hours. Dogs are not allowed on the trail, and children must be over twelve to participate.

The registration fee for the event is $40, but hikers also must raise a minimum of $150 in pre-collected donations. There are also fundraising rewards offered for pre-collected donations at levels of $300, $600, $1,000, and more. Proceeds will go to the Brain Injury Association of Colorado and Memorial Health System’s Think First for Kids Head and Spinal Cord Injury Prevention Program.

To register or find out more information about the event, visit http://pikespeakchallenge.com

Blindsight Offers an Intimate Look at Blind Mountaineers

2008-05-30T18:54:00Z

Imagine climbing the highest peaks on Earth. Now imagine doing it blind.

Such was the case for Erik Weihenmayer, when, on May 25, 2001, he became the only blind man in history to reach the summit of the world's highest peak- Mount Everest. And on September 5, 2002, when he stood on top of Mt. Kosciusko in Australia, Weihenmayer completed his seven-year quest to climb the Seven Summits- the highest mountains on each of the seven continents, joining only 100 mountaineers who have accomplished that feat.

Shortly after summiting Everest, Weihenmayer received a letter from blind educator, Sabriye Tenberken, who founded Braille without Borders, the first and only school for the blind in Tibet. After exclaiming, “If you could climb to the top of the world, we also can overcome our borders and show to the world that the blind can equally participate in society and are able to accomplish great things,” Tenberken invited Weihenmayer to come to Tibet, meet her students, and possible lead them in a climbing clinic.

Upon reading the letter, Weihenmayer thought, “Maybe the kids could do their own expedition. If these kids can climb their own Everest, God, what a statement that will make throughout the world.” He assembled members of his Everest climbing team to discuss various climbing possibilities and the idea for the climb (and the film) was born.

“Erik told me climbing mountains gave him confidence as a blind teenager and he wanted to share that experience with these blind Tibetan kids. He asked me if I thought taking six blind Tibetan teenagers up a 23,000 foot mountain in the Himalayas sounded like a movie. I told him it did and decided to make it,” said producer Sybil Robson-Orr.

Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Himalayas, Blindsight follows the gripping adventure of six Tibetan teenagers who set out to climb the 23,000 foot Lhakpa Ri on the north side of Mount Everest. Believed by many Tibetans to be possessed by demons, the children are shunned by their parents, scorned by their villages and rejected by society. Erik arrives in Lhasa and inspires Sabriye and her students Kyila, Sonam Bhumtso, Tashi, Gyenshen, Dachung, and Tenzin to let him lead them higher than they have ever been before. The resulting three-week journey is beyond anything any of them could have predicted.

Blindsight premiered at the Toronto and London Film Festivals to uproarious standing ovations. Then, at the two biggest film festivals in the world, Los Angeles and Berlin, it was honored with the "audience award." It was also short listed for an Academy Award nomination for Best Documentary Feature.

The film has also been praised by critics around the world. Desson Thomson, Washington Post film critic, wrote, “Blindsight makes us consider an apparent paradox that, for the blind, is the philosophical starting point of their day: how to see things the human eye won't register.” Jeanette Catsoulis of the New York Times stated, “Blindsight is one of those documentaries with the power to make you re-examine your entire life.”

Erik Weihenmayer’s reason for pursuing the film was as profound as it was enlightening. “When you suffer together, that’s when you make the closest connection to the people around you,” he said. After reaching the highest summits in the world, empowering others to learn from his example, find strength in his adversities and follow in his footsteps is arguably a more admirable quest that will help build a better society.

Sybil Robson-Orr concluded, “My hope is that Sabriye, Erik and the kids inspire our audience to push through their personal boundaries and reach for their dreams. Through them, we can see that anything in life, whether we are physically challenged or not, is possible if we build the right team around us. They don’t want to be seen as blind people who do great things, but rather ambassadors for everyone who believes in climbing higher.”

Blindsight – Movie Release Information* – North America
(showings as of May 27, 2008)

Monday 23 May 2008
Fall Creek Pictures, Ithaca, NY

Friday 30 May 2008
Edwards Westpark 8, Irvine, CA
Laemmle, Los Angeles, CA

Friday 6 June 2008
Red River Theatres, Concord, NH

Tuesday 10 June 2008
(one day only) Sedona Film Festival, Sedona, AZ
Boulder Theater, Boulder, CO
Reel Pizza Cinerama, Bar Harbor, ME

Thursday 12 June 2008
Paramount Center, Peekskill, NY

Friday 13 June 2008
Cinéma du Parc, Montréal, QC
Carlisle Theatre, Carlisle, PA

Friday 20 June 2008
Hippodrome State Theatre, Gainesville, FL

Thursday 17 July 2008
Cleveland Cinematheque, Cleveland, OH

Sunday 20 July 2008
Cleveland Cinematheque, Cleveland, OH

Monday 21 July 2008
Bear Tooth Theatre, Anchorage, AK

Saturday 2 August 2008
Rubin Museum of Art, NYC, NY

Sunday 12th October 2008
(one day only) Robinson Film Center, Shreveport, LA

* Special screenings, fundraisers and exclusive showings may also be arranged

Please visit www.blindsightthemovie.com for updated information as releases and special events are added regularly