• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8
• 9
• 10

Disabled athletes are increasingly in the news for displaying athletic dexterity that’s enviable by anyone’s standards. Three such individuals, Zack Brodrick, Thayne Mahler, and Bibian Mental, recently proved they have ‘the right stuff” during the 2008 ESPN Winter X-Games. 

Zack, paralyzed at age 16 when he was crushed by an axel while working beneath a truck, raced for a second consecutive year in the Mono-Ski Cross Event. When he tackles jumps and berms at top speed, “disabled” hardly seems an appropriate term.  He’s as fit as they come.

Thayne Mahler, a single below-the-knee amputee whose leg was crushed due to a 75-foot fall, is equally deft and now recognized as one of the world’s premier snowboarders.  His agility is legendary and his performance has become an anticipated feature of the Men’s Slope-Style Finals.

Another athlete, Bibian Mental, was a top-ranking women’s snowboarder before she lost a leg to cancer.  A single below-the-knee amputee, Ms. Mental has made a remarkable “comeback” and is always one to watch when it comes to displays of legendary prowess.  After surgery, she regained her skill in record time and is now proving her abilities are as formidable as ever.  Mental is participating in the Women’s Halfpipe Finals.

All events are sponsored by Adaptive Action Sports, a non-profit that champions action sports as a rehabilitative tool.  Judging by the results, they’ve discovered that these athletes don’t just display stamina.  They also have enough dedication and determination to inspire other team members and spectators alike.