16
DisableD sports Usa, inc.
Fall ‘11
VolUme 16 • nUmber 3
issn 1940-526X
CHALLENGE Magazine (ISSN 1940-526X) is published three times a year by
Disabled Sports USA, Inc., 451 Hungerford Drive, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850.
Phone: 301.217.9841; Fax: 301.217.0968; E-mail: dsusa@dsusa.org, www.dsusa.org.
Advertising inquiries: Ron Sonntag Public Relations,
Patty Johnson, 1-800-969-0200 ext 103, E-mail: patty@rspr.com.
Copyright 2011 by Disabled Sports USA, Inc. All rights reserved. Articles may
not be reprinted in part or in whole without written permission from DSUSA.
fall 2011 | challenge magazine | 5
20
More news can be accessed by visiting
www.dsusa.org. Click on Challenge Magazine.
DSUSA StAff
ExEcUtivE DirEctor
Kirk Bauer, JD, 301-217-9838
kbauer@dsusa.org
ExEcUtivE ASSiStAnt
Huayra Gomez-Garcia, 240-268-0864
hgomezgarcia@dsusa.org


SpEciAl projEctS MAnAgEr
Kathy Laffey, 724-265-2546
klaffey@dsusa.org
ADMiniStrAtivE SErvicES
MAnAgEr
Cheryl Collins, 301-217-9841
dsusa@dsusa.org
SportS progrAM MAnAgEr
Julia Ray, 301-217-9840
jray@dsusa.org
SEnior progrAMS coorDinAtor
Kyleen Davis, 301-217-9839
programs@dsusa.org
progrAM SErvicES ASSiStAnt
Karalyn Stott, 240-268-2180
kstott@dsusa.org
DEvElopMEnt
Dave Simonson, 301-217-9837
dsimonson@dsusa.org
cHiEf finAnciAl officEr
Bill Snyder, 301-217-9843
wsnyder@dsusa.org
WArfigHtEr SportS
fiElD rEprESEntAtivES
Staff Sgt. Orlando Gill (Ret.)
Petty Officer 2nd Class
Derrick Wallace (Ret.)
BoArD of DirEctorS
officErS
Robert Meserve, President
Robert Harney, MD, Vice President
Steven D. Goodwin, 2nd Vice President
Todd Sajauskas, Treasurer and Secretary
rEgionAl rEprESEntAtivES
John B. Lincoln, Eastern
Joel Berman, Mid-America
Jeff Underwood, Sunbelt
Gregg Baumgarten, Western
AtHlEtE rEprESEntAtivES
Ralph Green, Winter
Anjali J. Forber-Pratt, Summer
MEMBErS At lArgE
Carol Harnett
6 perspectiVe

Kirk Bauer, JD

Executive Director
38 marKetplace
IN BRIEF
10 highlight reel

The Bob Woodruff Foundation

Joins DSUSA as Sponsor,

Adapt2Achieve: Midwest

Conference, DSUSA Chapters Find

Adventure on Utah Rivers
14 boX score

Sochi Rejects Snowboarding in

2014 Paralympics, WellPoint

Offers Disabled Consumers Free

Access to Assistive Technology,

2011 USCA National ParaCanoe

Championships
30 sports & recreation

Adaptive Action Sports Launches

A.S.X. Training and Race Series
FEatuREs
12 WarFighter sports

Disabled Sports USA Military

Programs Re-named Warfighter Sports
18 Q&a With pat parnell

& stephanie Jallen
19 sKitoUr 2011-12:

Winter eXtraVaganza
20 norDic (cross-coUntry)

sKiing is For all ages

anD abilities
26 J.b. ball’s tee it Up

For the troops

Is About More than a Golf Game
29 VirtUal Wii-habilitation

assists DisableD

snoWboarDers
Dsusa
31 chapter neWs

Happenings from around the

country
coVer photo:
ParalymPian HeatH
CalHoun ziPs downHill
at tHe Hartford ski
sPeCtaCular in 2009.
PHoto Courtesy of
reed Hoffman.
26
30
12
I want to share some good news with you, our participants and supporters. Despite recession
and strains in the economy, Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA) has just completed one of its best
years ever, and is prepared to meet the challenges of the second decade of the 21st century.
Among the good news, our 104 chapters are more active than ever, holding thousands of events
nationwide in over 30 sports year-round. To support all this good work, DSUSA granted over a
half-million dollars in financial support to chapters in 2011, a record amount. Adapt2Achieve, the
regional training conference designed to educate chapter leaders in fundraising, social media,
administration, volunteer recruitment, and board development, has now been held in all four
regions.
Youth development is growing. The DSUSA E-Team for Alpine Skiing, launched last fall, supports
new racers striving to make the Paralympic team. It is comprised of the USA’s most promising talent
from ages 13-25. Four of the seven current members of the E-Team were recently named to the U.S.
Paralympic National Development Team! As we do every December, youth will be preparing for
competition including the Paralympics at The Hartford Ski Spectacular.
With the number of wounded increasing from the war in Afghanistan, DSUSA has worked hard
to meet the demand for sports rehabilitation at military hospitals and has served 1,100 wounded
warriors this year, the highest number of severely wounded we have served in any year since
Disabled Sports started serving military warfighters in 1967. We continue to provide wounded
service members and their families all programs free of charge, including individualized instruction,
adaptive equipment, transportation, event fees, and lodging. Our partners at Walter Reed National
Military Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center, Naval Medical Center San Diego, and a
number of VA hospitals and Warrior Transition Units report that we are making a significant, positive
difference in the lives of severely wounded troops and their families.
Financially, DSUSA has become more efficient than ever. Our overhead is the lowest it has
ever been – below 10 percent, ensuring that 90 cents of every dollar contributed goes directly to
programs. Because of our efficiency gains, DSUSA has not been required to access our emergency
reserves during the recession.
All of the successes above have been possible because of a number of factors that began
when the recession hit in the fall of 2008. The most important of these is that DSUSA’s board
of directors, with staff input, set some very clear strategic direction. The partnerships with our
chapter organizations, now over 100 strong, helped immensely in stretching our program dollars
to reach their maximum impact. The incredible work of the entire DSUSA staff and volunteers also
contributed to our success.
The financial collapse in 2008 was substantial and required us to reassess our capabilities and
capacities. We examined who we were, where we were going, and how and what we needed to get
there. All of our stakeholders were brought into the discussion. DSUSA’s board of directors and staff
held strategic planning sessions in which all opinions were shared and heard. Chapter leaders were
included in these planning sessions and all chapters were surveyed on the needs in their respective
communities. Participants were also surveyed for feedback in a number of areas.
From this open and inclusive process came some very substantial recommendations, which we
have diligently sought to implement since 2009. Since our chapters are our strongest partners, we
needed to provide tools for them to become stronger to be able to meet the demands of their
communities. We looked to our corporate and foundation partners to make services to our disabled
communities more available, and they responded because, as many put it, “DSUSA is making a
difference.”
Our results in 2011 are a strong signal that we are headed in the right direction; expanded
programs that help build our chapters and more supporters than ever, from chapters to other
nonprofits to individual and corporate supporters, all helping to provide lifestyle-expanding
adaptive sports opportunities to people with disabilities everywhere in the nation. For this, I thank
you all.
Kirk Bauer, JD
Executive Director, Disabled Sports USA, Inc.
I hope you will remember Disabled Sports USA in your 2012 giving plans. You can donate online
at www.dsusa.org. For federal workers, Combined Federal Campaign #10151.
A Banner Year!
perspectiVe
6 | challenge magazine | fall 2011
KirK m. baUer, JD
executive director, dsusa
photo by Ray Persinger
fall 2011 | challenge magazine | 7
DiSABlED SportS USA tHAnkS itS corporAtE
AnD coMMUnitY SponSorS for tHEir SUpport!
DISABLED SPORTS USA IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE U.S. OLyMPIC COMMITTEE
plAtinUM SponSorS
FOUNDAT I ON
8 | challenge magazine | fall 2011
golD SponSorS
icon Incorporated’s
ogo Guidelines
or Usage
rs indicated on this page should
be used in the Trijicon logo.
PMS 485
C: 0
R: 238
M: 95
G: 50
Y: 100
B: 36
K: 0
Black
C: 0
M: 0
Y: 0
K: 100
a of Isolation
w is the area of isolation surrounding the logo that needs to be maintained based on the measurement of “X”.
X
X
of Tagline
Trijicon logo must be used with the tagline unless there is a size restriction (see below).
n using the tagline with the
the minimum size can be 1 ¾"
5 mm) in length.
Otherwise use the Trijicon logo
without the tagline if it needs to be
sized less than 1 ¾" (44.45 mm).
X
X
o Restrictions on Backgrounds
For extreme cases where the
logo needs to be sized less than
½" (12.7 mm) just the word can
be used, but will need to be
approved by Trijicon marketing.
the Hartford
foundation
SilvEr SponSorS
AM General
Aon Benfield Corporation
ARCH Venture Partners
BAE Systems
Battelle Science & Technology International
Breckenridge Ski and Sports
CHRISTUS Health/US Family Health Plan
D’Amato & Lynch, LLP
DynCorp International
Ereinsure, Inc.
Flancers Cafe
Fortune
Fournier Family Foundation
Franklin Templeton Investments
Fulbright & Jaworski, LLP
Greenburg Traurig
Guy Carpenter and Company, LLC
HUB Financial Charities
IBM
Kattan, Muchin, Rosenman Foundation, Inc.
Latham & Watkins, LLP
Marsh McLennan Companies
Moore Charitable Foundation
Parsons Corporation
Partners and Simons
Phoenix Beverages
Robert Trent Jones Golf Club Foundation
Simpson, Thatcher & Bartlett, LLP
The Standard
Towers Watson
U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress
Veritas Capital Fund Management, LLC
Weil, Gotshal & Manges Foundation, Inc.
Willbros U.S.A. Inc.
fall 2011 | challenge magazine | 9
Disabled vets and Elite
Athletes compete at White
Mountain cycling classic
The second annual White Mountain Cycling
Classic, presented by Chartis, was held June 25 at
New England Disabled Sports, Loon Mountain, N.H.
With funding from Chartis, veterans flew in from
different regions of the country to participate in a
pre-race camp, becoming familiar with the course
and learning tactics from experienced cyclists and
representatives from U.S. Handcycling and New
England Disabled Sports.
The White Mountain Cycling Classic, the only
U.S. Handcycling-sanctioned race in New England,
is an inclusive event for all levels of cyclists within
the divisions of USA Cycling and U.S. Handcycling.
Disabled athletes not only race in their respective
divisions but are able to compete with some of the
best able-bodied cyclists.
In 2012, the event will expand to two days and
will include a hill climb time trial up the challenging
Kancamagus Highway.
For more information, contact
www.nedisabledsports.org or
www.whitemountaincyclingclassic.com.
10 | challenge magazine | fall 2011
in brieF | highlight reel
Education, collaboration, investment
– these three words are the pillars
to the Bob Woodruff Foundation
mission. Now partnering with
DSUSA, the Foundation continues its
commitment to provide resources and
support to service members, veterans,
and their family members to help them
reintegrate into their communities.
The Bob Woodruff Foundation’s
sponsorship and generosity will
specifically assist DSUSA’s military
sports rehabilitation programs that
provide free sports programs to
severely wounded service members and
their families. This includes costs for
transportation, special adaptive sports
equipment, training from qualified
adaptive sports instructors, lodging,
meals, and other costs. Their support
will also fund vital training on Traumatic
Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress
to DSUSA chapters nationwide.
“We are thrilled to have the Bob
Woodruff Foundation’s support to
help our efforts to provide high quality
sports rehabilitation to our injured
military,” said Kirk Bauer, JD, executive
director of DSUSA and a disabled
Vietnam veteran. “These brave service
members, who have made great
sacrifices for this nation, deserve every
opportunity to participate in sports
rehabilitation programs. Participating
in sports has been proven to be a
highly effective way to rebuild their
lives.”
It’s vital to help our nation’s injured
heroes, and the DSUSA sports
rehabilitation programs assist service
members with single and multiple
amputations, spinal cord injuries, visual
impairment, traumatic brain injuries,
and significant nerve and/or muscle
damage. With many winter and
summer sports offered, such as skiing,
snowboarding, cycling, rock climbing,
and golfing, DSUSA has helped over
4,900 service members, families, and
hospital staff, so they may thrive within
the community.

“It is with great anticipation and
enthusiasm that we support Disabled
Sports USA’s sports rehabilitation
and traumatic brain injury awareness
programs, especially within these highly
populated military communities,”
said René Bardorf, executive director
of the Bob Woodruff Foundation.
“Furthermore, it is important
to highlight DSUSA’s mission of
helping service members develop
independence, confidence, and fitness
through participation in community
sports, recreation and educational
programs.”
the Bob Woodruff foundation joins DSUSA as Sponsor
Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA) hosted the 5th regional Adapt2Achieve
Conference Oct. 13-16, 2011 in Chicago. More than 50 attendees from 11
DSUSA chapters and 22 other nonprofits, government and community affiliates
participated in this conference.
Highlights from this four-day event were 15
presentations on topics ranging from board
development and grant writing to social media
and understanding Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
These presentations were offered by experts in their
respective fields who shared best practices to ensure
proven results. Presenters also provided further
resources including book titles, websites and journals
for participants to further their education. Additional
conference highlights were in-depth training from
Paralympic Cycling Coach Rick Babington on programming, training and nutrition
as well as two sports breakout sessions in kayaking and cycling.
Networking was a common theme. “Disabled Sports USA feels that
partnerships and collaboration are paramount to successful adaptive sports
programming. The Adapt2Achieve Conference is a perfect venue to network
and establish effective community partnerships,” said Kirk Bauer, JD, Executive
Director of DSUSA.
Adapt2Achieve conferences are open to DSUSA chapters and representatives
from other nonprofits, such as the Veteran’s Administration, Park & Recreation
Associations, or other community organizations that provide adaptive sports
programming. For more information, visit www.dsusa.org.
Adapt2Achieve: Midwest conference
fall 2011 | challenge magazine | 11
the U.s. bUreaU oF lanD management issUes
the First Vip permits to aDaptiVe sports
organizations
By Pete winn
In early 2011, DSUSA and six of its chapters entered into a
Memorandum of Understanding with the Utah State Office
of the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which
issued VIP river permits to the chapters. These permits
were unique – the first ever issued by the BLM specifically to
adaptive sports organizations. The chapters that were issued
permits included Team River Runner, Colorado Discover
Ability, Adaptive Sports of Durango, Breckenridge Outdoor
Education Center, Challenge Aspen, and Common Ground
Outdoor Adventures.
Team River Runner and Common
Ground ran a six-day, all-female Wounded
Warrior trip through Desolation-Gray
Canyon of the Green River. Challenge
Aspen and Colorado Discover Ability
ran two overnight Wounded Warrior
trips through Westwater Canyon of the
Colorado River. Breckenridge Outdoor
Education Center and Adaptive Sports
of Durango ran a multi-day Wounded
Warrior trip on the San Juan River. With
some of their local clients, Colorado
Discover Ability and Adaptive Sports of
Durango went on a one-day excursion
on the Colorado River, near Moab, Utah.
Many of the trips were partially funded by
grants from DSUSA.
The rivers that these DSUSA chapters
explored are famous for their scenery
and rapids. There were more than 60
participants, including some family
members. Participants, staff, and
volunteers agree that it was an experience
of a lifetime. Chapter members are
looking forward to more trips in 2012, and
there are plans to expand this program to
the Rogue River in Oregon and the Main
Salmon in Idaho.
The feedback is all good!
Below are comments we have received
from our participants.
• “It was tough being in a wheelchair
out in the wilderness, but this trip opened
my eyes to the possibilities of camping
without any modernization. It was amazing
to see that I was able to perform even
though there were limitations.”
• “I think the trip brought me out of
my comfort zone. It challenged me to try
something new, taking control over the
boat for a while, and it also allowed me to
become less self-conscious and have fun.”
• “This was the first event I have
participated in since my injury in 2004.
Being in the public or a crowd is usually
a problem, but this event and all of the
wonderful people made me feel safe and accepted. They
didn’t treat me differently.”
• “This program boosted my self-esteem and excitement
for life. The rafting inspired me to accept others and work as
a team. It also allowed me to experience the wilderness in a
non-combative environment, which helped me relax for the
first time in years.”
• “The rafting trip made me feel confident and
allowed me to relax through positive thinking and task
accomplishments.”
• “This was the first time in a very long time that I have
challenged myself to this level. I enjoyed being active with a
group of people.”
DSUSA chapters find Adventure on Utah rivers
Disabled Sports USA announces a new
name for its military sports programs as
Warfighter Sports. The Warfighter Sports
program will proudly serve the nation’s
wounded warriors providing free adaptive
sports programming in partnership with
the DSUSA chapter network. Warfighter
Sports will offer service members
opportunities in their home communities,
across the USA, with ongoing
individualized lesson programs, camps,
clinics, competitions, endurance events
and much more. Family members are also
encouraged to participate alongside their
loved ones.
DSUSA partners with its chapter
network to offer the majority of
experiences for the nations wounded
military and veterans, which spans
more than 20 sports in over 30 states.
DSUSA encourages chapters, wounded
warriors and caregivers to visit www.
warfightersports.org or for more
information, contact Julia Ray at
jray@dsusa.org.
ABoUT WARFIGHTER SPoRTS
Warfighter Sports, a program of
Disabled Sports USA, offers sports
rehabilitation programs to severely
wounded warriors in military hospitals
and communities across the U.S. through
a nationwide network of over 100
community-based chapters. Since 1967,
Disabled Sports USA has proudly served
wounded warriors, including those injured
in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, offering
more than 30 winter and summer sports
at more than 100 events each year.
Warfighter Sports rebuilds lives through
sports by improving self-confidence,
promoting independence and uniting
families through shared healthy activities.
Contributions cover all expenses for
participation, including individualized
adaptive instruction, adaptive sports
equipment, transportation, lodging
and meals for the warrior and a family
member. Since 2003, more than 4,800
of the most severely wounded and their
families have been served, including those
with amputations, traumatic brain injury,
spinal cord injury, visual impairments and
significant nerve and muscle damage.
DISABLED SPoRTS USA MILITARy
PRoGRAMS RE-nAMED
WARFIGHTER SPoRTS
12 | challenge magazine | fall 2011
14 | challenge magazine | fall 2011
in brieF | box score
Sochi rejects Snowboarding in 2014 paralympics
Snowboarding has been in the Olympic
Games since 1998, but Paralympians
are denied the chance to compete in
the 2014 Paralympic Games in Sochi,
Russia. Although admission of the sport
was supported by the International
Paralympic Committee (IPC), the final
ruling was made by the Russian National
Paralympic Committee.
“It’s hugely crushing to me and
everyone involved,” said Brent
Kuemmerle, who is a competitive
snowboarder and coaches the sport
at the National Sports Center for the
Disabled.
“We’ve been working on this goal
for years. From everything we heard,
the IPC, the Alpine Sport Technical
Committee, where apparently the
snowboarding sport will fall under, voted
to include us. We had Sochi organizing
committee support, but the Russian
National Paralympic Committee are the
ones who said no. At this point, we really
don’t know what the exact reasons were.
Nobody has said.”
For a sport to be recognized in
Paralympic competition, there are many
requirements, including having at least
eight countries appearing on the World
Cup circuit for at least seven years.
“We had in fact met or exceeded a
number of things already. If we don’t
get into Russia, we are on track for
the 2018 Games
in Pyeongchang, South Korea,”
Kuemmerle said. “Our current
international organizing body is the
World Snowboard Federation (WSF) and
they last year signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) with the IPC that
the WSF would run the World Cup circuit
for the next couple of years with input
from IPC. But at this point, there is no
U.S. team.
“The disappointing part is the athletes
who are very active in snowboarding
now and would have a chance to
medal probably will be past their prime
competitive years when Korea happens,
and right now, they are the guys and
girls who are pushing the sport. So it’s
extremely disappointing.”
Snowboarding has been recognized
by the United States of America
Snowboard Association (USASA), which
is a grass roots regional snowboard
competition, and there is an active
adaptive division within USASA since
2000. Snowboarders in the U.S. have
been competing internationally for at
least a half-dozen years, traveling to
Canada, New Zealand and France for
competitions.
Currently, the team that Kuemmerle, a
Level 3 snowboard instructor, is coaching
at NSCD is an officially-recognized
team in the U.S. along with the National
Ability Center. There are a number
of athletes who train at other resorts,
notably Park City, Utah, which is a big
hub for adaptive snowboarding.
“The NSCD team will
be participating
in competitions,
which is something
of the irony of the
Sochi decision,”
Kuemmerle said.
“We are looking at disabled veterans
and paralympic grants so injured service
members can come and train for free
– that is what the program was built
around – and we have a number of non-
military athletes who are training as well.
The NSCD will be hosting a number of
learn-to-race camps in Winter Park, Colo.,
South Lake Tahoe, Calif., Big Bear, Calif.,
and Stowe, Vt., throughout the season.
We will compete locally in Colorado and
come back to California in South Lake
Tahoe and do a camp and compete in
World Cup in France, Spain, Canada,
and possibly Italy. I’m looking forward
to doing a World Cup here in South
Lake Tahoe. Snowboarders will also be
competing at the X Games in 2012.”
The decision to exclude snowboarding
is hard on Kuemmerle, who is 40
years old, and ending his career as a
competitor. “I’ve been an amputee
since 1995. If snowboarding was in the
Paralympics in 1998, I could have been
on the podium. In 2000, I wasn’t the best
guy out there, but in my late 20s, I was
still competitive. But when Korea comes
around, I’ll be on the 50 side of 40 and
out of the game, except as a coach.
“I never wanted anyone else to
go through the fact that there are no
opportunities and at this point, there still
are no opportunities. It’s still a nagging
spot for me, still a nagging spot for a lot
of people. We can’t understand why it’s
not already there,” he said.
“I haven’t given up on Russia. It’s still
three years out. We still have time to
change minds. Snowboarding needs to
be in the Paralympics.”
fall 2011 | challenge magazine | 15
WellPoint, Inc. (NYSE: WLP) is announcing an alliance with
eSSENTIAL Accessibility™ to offer an online solution that assists
individuals who have difficulty typing, moving a mouse or reading
a web page. With the help of eSSENTIAL Accessibility, WellPoint
is taking a major step to enable visitors with physical disabilities
to access health plan and benefit information, including an online
doctor finder tool as well as claims details and wellness materials.
The launch is part of a Disability Community Involvement Initiative
created by eSSENTIAL Accessibility in partnership with leading
advocacy groups for the disabled such as The Christopher and Dana
Reeve Foundation and March of Dimes of Canada. eSSENTIAL
Accessibility is leading this initiative to bridge the digital divide for
those with physical disabilities by bringing WellPoint and other
global organizations together to connect with and empower people
with disabilities in a meaningful way. Using eSSENTIAL Accessibility’s
online solution, WellPoint is making assistive technology available for
free, extending online access to important health plan information
and services for more consumers.
Website visitors simply click on an icon to download keyboard and
mouse replacement solutions for free, including a webcam-based
hands-free movement tracking system, a page reader, predictive
typing and other customizable options. The online tools can be
used on a standard PC by people who have dexterity challenges
or reading difficulties arising from a variety of conditions, including
stroke, paralysis, arthritis, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease,
cerebral palsy, dyslexia and other issues. To see the eSSENTIAL
Accessibility online solution in action, visit www.wellpoint.com.
“We are proud to offer this assistive technology to help disabled
individuals,” said Lori Beer, executive vice president of WellPoint’s
Enterprise Business Services division, and co-chair of ABLE, the
company’s resource group for associates with disabilities. “With
this online solution, our health plan tools and services are more
readily accessible to all consumers. This is one important way we are
working to fulfill our mission to improve the lives of the people we
serve and the health of our communities.”
According to Linda Jimenez, chief diversity officer and vice
president – diversity & inclusion for WellPoint, “We have taken
an exciting step forward to help improve access to health plan
information for the disabled community. WellPoint is committed
to inclusive treatment of people with disabilities; the company has
received multiple awards for this commitment, as well as for our
business and supplier growth strategies. Most notably, Careers and
the disABLED magazine named WellPoint as a Top 50 Employer
for the past five years. Last year, the company became a founding
partner of the U.S. Business Leadership Network (USBLN) Supplier
Diversity Program. WellPoint is ranked number 36 on the 2011
Diversity Inc Top 50 Companies for Diversity® list.
wellPoint foundation is a supporter of disabled sports usa.
Wellpoint offers Disabled consumers
free Access to Assistive technology
16 | challenge magazine | fall 2011
The United States Canoe Association (USCA) hosted
ParaCanoe National Championships in the disciplines of
kayak and va’a (outrigger canoe) in Newago, Mich., on
Aug. 9. This was the first year that 500 meter K-1 and V-1
races for men and women paddlers with physical disabilities
were offered by USCA since the International Paralympic
Committee’s announcement to include ParaCanoe in the 2016
Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Eight paddlers entered the races. Five men and one woman
from Michigan’s Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital
amputee population joined an Army Reserve paddler with
lower limb amputation from New York State and a Special
Olympics paddler with a physical disability from Maryland
to complete the field. In a show of support for each other,
the paddlers decided to enter both the K-1 and V-1 races.
Jan Whitaker, USCA Adaptive Paddling Chairman, USA
Canoe/Kayak ParaCanoe coach and President of Cape
Ability Outrigger Ohana chapter of DSUSA conducted a solo
va’a clinic for the kayak paddlers the day before the sprint
races and provided them with V-1s and paddles that CAOO
purchased with DSUSA grant funds. Jack Brosius, a former
Olympian, shared his coaching expertise and provided one
kayak for the races.
Michael Adams from Maryland enjoyed the competition and
the camaraderie. He was a pioneer paddler, leading the way
for other Special Olympians with physical disabilities, proving
that they have a place in an open competition such as USCA
Nationals, to showcase their ability.
Sierra Miller, new to kayak competition, ran unopposed in
the women’s K-1 division taking the gold medal. She was very
proud of the fact she finished ahead of two of the male K-1
paddlers. Her mother, an Iraq war veteran, was thrilled by her
performance.
Derrick Mertowski captured the gold in both the men’s
V-1 and K-1 classes. Derrick had previously qualified for
USA Canoe/Kayak’s ParaCanoe team selected to compete
in the 2011 International Canoe Federation’s World Sprint
Championships in Szeged, Hungary. Three days after
competing in Newago, Derrick traveled to Hungary where he
placed 5th in a field of 14 countries entered in his division.
John “Chris” Vansanden had participated in Extremity
Games 3 placing fourth in the kayak competition.
Complete numerical results may be found on USCA’s
website, but sports results are far more than numbers
recorded on a page. As John King, prosthetist from Mary
Free Bed Hospital, noted, “Kayaking and kayak competition
represent excellent forms of physical activity. For the amputee
population it minimizes stress on lower limb amputations while
providing an excellent cardiovascular workout. While paddling
in decked kayaks, the amputee experiences a form of body
image restoration as their injuries are not visible to the public.
A rewarding component of these competitions remains the
camaraderie shared by the competitors.
This is true among the broad spectrum of
athletes with physical disabilities. Engaging
conversations, smiles and laughter remain
a hallmark of these gatherings. Just being
involved in the event, win or lose, becomes its
own reward. “
The next stop on the road to Rio will
be determined by athletes with physical
disabilities, coaches, physical therapists,
prosthetists, parents and other people
interested in recruiting, training and funding
equipment and athletes in all the ParaCanoe
disability categories (Legs-Trunk-Arms, Trunk-
Arms, Arms). The Paralympic opportunity is
now a reality. USA Canoe/Kayak
(www.usack.org) needs your help in paving
the road to Rio. For more information, click
on ParaCanoe under “Disciplines” on the
following websites: International Canoe
Federation (www.canoeicf.com) and USA
Canoe/Kayak (www.usack.org).
2011 UScA national paracanoe
championships
in brieF | box score
Photos courtesy of John King
a member of the U.s. adaptive
ski team, patrick (pat) parnell has
his sights set on being a national
champion and competing in the 2014
paralympics in sochi, russia. pat is a native
of columbia, conn., and is currently a freshman
at colby-sawyer college in new hampshire, majoring in
environmental studies.
now that you’re in college, how do you balance school and
training?
pp: “Once winter comes around, I will be skiing on the
weekends with Jason Lalla (1998 Paralympic Gold Medalist-
Nagano) and during the week with my college team. Skiing for
my school allows me to train and stay in shape while still having
time for my studies.”
How has dsusa helped you in your ski career?
pp: “DSUSA has been an integral part of my career. I have
been to four The Hartford Ski Spectaculars, and there I get to
ski with top skiers from around the country, which has helped
me improve to the level where I am at today. I learned was that
I had to approach steep runs aggressively and with a strong
edge.”
where has been your favorite place to ski and what do you
never forget to bring during your travels?
pp: “Skiing this past summer in New Zealand was a great
experience but my all-time favorite destination has been
Alyeska, Alaska. The mountain scenery there is amazing
and the skiing was first-class. One thing I would never leave
home without is my cell phone. My friends and family are so
supportive so I keep in touch and send them my results while
I am away.”
what is your favorite race event?
pp: “The slalom is my favorite event as it is my
strongest and I like how it is rhythmical. I like
skiing everything; steep runs, powder, trees,
moguls and the (terrain) park with my friends.”
How do you train in the off season?
pp: “My training involves riding the resistance bike,
lifting weights, working out my core and stretching.
Hiking is really fun and recently my college took a school trip
up to the White Mountains. I did the entire hike on crutches!”
do you have any tips and suggestions for up and coming
adaptive athletes?
pp: “Perseverance is vital. There will always be obstacles, but to
push through them and overcome them is what really matters.”
Q&A with pat parnell & Stephanie jallen
seven years ago, the pennsylvania center for adapted
sports, a chapter of DsUsa, introduced stephanie Jallen to
skiing. she continued training at the national sports center
for the Disabled, a chapter of DsUsa. now 15 years old, she
is a member of the U.s. national alpine ski team, determined
to compete in the 2014 paralympic games in sochi, russia.
what are your goals/aspirations in skiing?
sJ: “I want to do well in the World Cup and keep pushing to be
the best I can be. For the past seven years, I have had the goal
of skiing in the Paralympics.”
who have been your strongest influences throughout your
career?
sJ: “Mau Thompson was my first coach. She taught me how
to ski and to be an athlete, but equally important she taught
me how to be independent and how to present myself in a
professional manner. Ernie Baul is my personal trainer. He
has made me incredibly stronger and improved my overall
athleticism that has greatly improved my skiing. My mom has
always been the spine of my career. She created the Stephanie
Jallen Paralympic fund (nonprofit) and has been raising money
to provide the resources I need to reach my goals.”
where are your favorite places to ski?
sJ: “I like Camelback in Pennsylvania as it is my home mountain
where I learned to ski but my favorite ski areas are Winter Park,
Colorado, and Mt. Hood, Oregon. Mt. Hood was great since
I got to ski there in the summer with able-bodied skiers. I’m
really looking forward to skiing in Austria in October.”
How has your training changed now that you are
training with the u.s. adaptive ski team?
sJ: “I train with a larger group of skiers and
the expectations are greater. There is also a lot
more traveling involved, which can be hard at
times but definitely worth it because it gets me
closer to reaching my goals. I am lucky because
my school accommodates my ski schedule. I take
coursework with me while traveling and when I get
back I take a bunch of tests within five days of my return.”
do you have any advice to give up and coming adaptive
athletes?
sJ: “The harder something is, the more it should push you to
achieve it. Taking the extra step, striving to be better and to
overcome will make you stronger.”
pat parnell
“The Adventurous One”
Stephanie jallen
“The Kid”
“The harder
something is,
the more it should
push you to
achieve it.”
18 | challenge magazine | fall 2011
Photos courtesy of Reed Hoffman
WHAT TyPE oF ACTIVITy IS RIGHT FoR ME?
The following is an outline to the types of camps and
clinics you can expect to see this winter. The full calendar of
opportunities is on the DSUSA website under Event Calendar.
Visit www.dsusa.org for more information.
LEARn To SKI, SnoWBoARD, noRDIC, AnD MoRE.
As the name implies you will find many chapters that offer
special events that help introduce those completely new to
the sport. In addition, if you visit the website of the chapter
nearest you, many will offer individual or group lessons at a
greatly discounted rate.
EMERGInG ATHLETE CAMP oR LEARn To RACE
These camps are designed for the mid-level to advanced
athlete who can comfortably handle blue/black terrain.
Coaches will teach skiers about race technique, running
gates and the Paralympic pipeline. Disabled Sports USA is
supporting an emerging athlete camp in each Alpine region of
the USA this winter, in partnership with U.S. Paralympics. Not
sure if these are for you? Visit the Disabled Sports USA Alpine
Ski and Racing Q&A on our website at http://www.dsusa.org/
PDF-files/skispec/QandA.pdf.
DIAnA GoLDEn RACE SERIES (oR LEVEL I RACE)
The Diana Golden race series provides entry-level disabled
races and are usually conducted on a “NASTAR” style course,
in a Giant Slalom format. The series, primarily occurring in the
Northeast provides young disabled athletes the chance to
compete in an entry level race. There are no pre-requisites to
participate and no license is required.
noRAM (IPC) RACE SERIES
NorAm races are for advanced skiers vying for a place on the
U.S. Adaptive Ski Team. As in non-disabled races, there are
both speed and technical events over 5 disciplines – Slalom,
Giant Slalom, Super G, Downhill and Super Combined. All
participants must have USSA and IPC licenses, as well as be
medically classified. Athletes may secure their classification
annually at The Hartford Ski Spectacular - http://www.wix.com/
disabledsportsusa/ski-spectacular. For more information on
licensing and qualification standards, visit www.usparalympics.org.
InSTRUCToR EDUCATIon
Disabled Sports USA is proud to offer the Bridging the Gap:
from recreation to competition instructor training seminars. The
goal of this training is to give adaptive ski instructors a better
understanding of ski racing and the benefits of incorporating it
into their lessons. In addition, Disabled Sports USA annually hosts
the PSIA-AASI National Continuing Education Academy at The
Hartford Ski Spectacular. Instructors looking for additional training,
CEUS, and looking to take their adaptive exam should visit their
respective program calendar on their regional PSIA-AASI website.
WInTER GRAnTS To DISABLED SPoRTS USA CHAPTERS
2011 saw Disabled Sports USA grant over $500,000 to
it’s chapter network. DSUSA is thrilled to once again be
providing financial support to chapter events and programming
this winter, in large part thanks to it’s national partner U.S.
Paralympics. We are committed to providing development
opportunities for athletes of all abilities, and provide a seamless
pipeline to the Paralympic Games.
Severly wounded warriors and their
family members interested in snow
sports can hone their skills this winter
with free SkiTour events as part of the
Warfighter Sports Series conducted by
DSUSA and its chapters. Whether it’s
learning to ski, snowboard, Nordic or
biathlon, race training for those with
Paralympic goals, or training weekly
at your local mountain, the 2011-2012
SkiTour provides opportunities for those
with all interest levels and abilities.
Last year’s military SkiTour calendar
included more than 80 winter sporting
events hosted by our nationwide
chapter network, and this season
positions itself to be just as active. All
Warfighter Sports events are provided
free of charge to warfighters and their
family members including individualized
adaptive instruction, adaptive
equipment, transportation, event fees
and lodging where applicable.
To view the full winter military
calendar and learn more information
about Warfighter Sports visit
www.warfightersports.org.
CLInICS, CAMPS AnD InSTRUCToR TRAInInG ARE CoMInG To A MoUnTAIn nEAR yoU THIS
WInTER. WITH oVER 75 PERCEnT oF DISABLED SPoRTS USA’S nETWoRK oF 104 CHAPTERS
oFFERInG SnoWSPoRTS, oPPoRTUnITIES ABoUnD FoR PEoPLE oF ALL ABILITIES.
Warfighter Sports Winter program
fall 2011 | challenge magazine | 19
Skitour 2011-12: Winter Extravaganza
20 | challenge magazine | fall 2011
nordic (cross-country)
Skiing is for All Ages
and Abilities
Do you yearn to take part in a winter sport that gets you out in the
fresh air anD beautiful snow country, but alpine (Downhill) skiing is a
little too thrilling for your taste? then consiDer the sport of norDic.
As its name suggests, Nordic skiing was developed in Scandinavia more than 4,000 years ago as a means of
transportation over snowy and icy terrain. Today, Nordic skiing is a fast-growing snow sport with more than 4.5 million
participants, including those with limb loss, vision impairment, spinal injuries, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, stroke, and
brain injury.
“Adaptive Nordic skiing can be whatever you make of it,” said Maggie Palchak, trainer and Paralympic Sport Program
Director at Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, Mammoth Lakes, Calif., a chapter of Disabled Sports USA. “You can go for the
equivalent of a casual stroll through the woods or an all out marathon run. The first time recreational skier with minimal
fitness experience can still have a splendid time out on cross-country skis.
“Nordic skiing can be adapted to suit a variety of physical abilities and disabilities. An individual can ski standing up with
two skis and two poles, one pole or no poles. If an athlete has balance issues, a snow slider (similar to a walker on skis) can
be used. There are also sit down rigs for Nordic skiing which can accommodate athletes with spinal cord injuries, lower limb
deficiencies or balance issues,” she said.
fall 2011 | challenge magazine | 21
the classic style of norDic skiing
Stand-up Nordic skiing falls into two classifications,
classic and skate.
In classic skiing, the athlete skis in or out of a
groomed track with the skis and arms moving in a
parallel motion fore and aft with arms and legs moving
diagonally with respect to each other (similar to walk-
ing or jogging).
Ellen Adams, program director, National Ability
Center (NAC), a chapter of Dsiabled Sports USA,
explained the techniques and requirements for those
who can do stand-up classic skiing.
“Stand-up Nordic skiing requires the ability to
balance and shuffle forward,” she said. “When done
properly on flat terrain, it doesn’t require much more
strength than walking. A fluid stride with a controlled
arm swing/poling motion will result in forward motion.
Skiing on undulating or hilly terrain is more challeng-
ing, and requires coordination and some strength,
especially in the core and thighs to maneuver up and
down slopes.
“As a stand-up Nordic skier progresses, what was
at first a shuffling motion becomes more fluid and,
ultimately, a kick and glide motion. The skier remains in
an athletic stance, balanced over the center of the ski.
When approaching an uphill grade, the skier moves
the center of gravity slightly back onto the heels of the
ski, allowing the ski to grip the snow. When approach-
ing a downhill, the skier moves over the center of the
ski, bends a little at the waist and pushes the tails in to
a wedge shape, creating more friction and slowing the
skier down.”
falling happens
“A beginning skier is likely to fall, and it is helpful to
learn how to get up before doing much else,” Adams
said. “First, if the skier has any control going into the
fall, they should try to fall with skis parallel to each
other. Before trying to get up, the skier should make
sure the skis are parallel, across any incline; placed at a
90 degree angle to the fall line. Keep the feet com-
fortably apart, and put both poles on one side of the
cross-country on a Sit-Ski
“You don’t have to be in great physical shape to try Nordic
sit-skiing,” said Matt Feeney, program director, Adaptive
Adventures, Colorado, a chapter of Disabled Sports USA. “I
think this may be one of the myths of Nordic or cross-country
skiing from a seated position. It looks quite daunting, and
some people assume that it’s for “animals” only, but with
the right equipment and wax (very important) anybody with
moderate strength can enjoy the sport. As with downhill ski-
ing, you don’t start out on black diamond runs; you progress
from flat terrain to more challenging terrain as you get more
comfortable with the equipment, technique and your sur-
roundings.
“The motion in Nordic sit-skiing is very important; it’s what
gets you from A to B,” he said. “Nordic skiers propel them-
selves with lightweight poles, extending the arms forward,
placing the tips of the poles in the snow (on both sides of the
sit-ski) and pushing the sled forward in a single motion that is
repeated to sustain that motion.
“As with stand-up, Nordic sit-skiers are looking for a
good glide on the snow, so having the right wax can be very
important as well. If the sit-ski is not gliding on the snow, in
other words, the skier seems to be coming to an abrupt stop
after a push, then Nordic skiing can become quite daunting.
Most Nordic centers can tell you the snow temperature and
appropriate wax for the day, so you don’t feel like you have
sandpaper under your skis,” Feeney said.
going up and getting up on a sit-ski
Ascending an incline can be challenging depending on the
steepness, length and variations in terrain. Feeney recom-
mends using shorter, ‘choppy’ strokes as the ski will not
be able to glide going uphill. Look ahead when skiing to
anticipate any upcoming changes in terrain and use as much
momentum as possible going into an incline.
“Getting up from a fall can also be a little challenging for
the beginner,” he said. “It is recommended that you always
ski with someone who can assist you if need be. Most Nordic
sit-skis sit fairly low to the ground, so if you tip over you can
usually just use your arm (that’s closest to the snow) to push
off and right the sled. Of course, there may be different situ-
ations that require you to unstrap from the rig, put the skis
back on the snow and transfer back in, which may take a little
practice.”
Preparing for a first Nordic skiing experience is simple.
Feeney advises: “Just keep an open mind. Most people that
enjoy Nordic skiing often lead active lifestyles and are reason-
ably fit. Handcycling is excellent cross-training, and people
who handcycle generally do well in Nordic skiing. One of
the first questions I would ask someone Nordic skiing for the
first time is if they participate in any other sports. It certainly
doesn’t hurt to be athletic.”
Dry land training
“Handcycling is excellent dry land training,” he said. “Some
members of the U.S. team also attach wheels to their sit-ski
rigs and push around during the off season. Actually, just
about any kind of physical activity is good dry land training.”
Continued on next page >>
Photo courtesy of Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra
22 | challenge magazine | fall 2011
Adaptive Adventures
4840 Pearl East Circle - 201W
Boulder, CO 80301-2486
(303) 910-9831
matt@adaptiveadventures.org
2616 Wilmette Avenue
Wilmette, IL 60091
(312) 310-2770
joel@adaptiveadventures.org
www.adaptiveadventures.org
challenge Aspen
Challenge Aspen’s Estes Park
Nordic Ski & Snowshoe Adventure for
wounded military from Brooke Army
Medical Center and their families
will be Jan. 30-Feb. 3. For more
information, visit www.challengeaspen.
org/veterans_winter_camps.cfm.
Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra
Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra
Paralympic Sport Mammoth Lakes
announces its third annual Nordic
Camp, coached by USOC and
USPC coach Jon Kreamelmeyer and
Paralympic medalist Candace Cable.
The camp offers skills training and
touring opportunities in the Eastern
Sierra at Tamarack Cross Country Ski
Center in Mammoth Lakes, Calif.,
Jan. 6-8. For more information,
contact Maggie Palchak at mpalchak@
disabledsportseasternsierra.org.
great lakes Adaptive Sports Assoc.
The Great Lakes Adaptive Sports
Association (GLASA) will be partnering
with Central Cross Country for Nordic
clinics Feb. 6, 1-4 p.m., at the RecPlex,
Kenosha, Wis. For more information,
contact Keri Schindler, Kschindler@
glasa.org.
Maine Handicapped Skiing
Maine Handicapped Skiing has
been providing lessons and programs
in Nordic skiing for more than a
decade, free of charge. Equipment
and instructors will be at numerous
locations throughout the season
for lessons and demos. For more
information, visit www.skimhs.org,
e-mail info@skimhs.org, or call (800)
639-7770.
national Ability center
PO Box 682799
Park City, UT 84068
(435) 649-3991
info@discovernac.org
www.discovernac.org
new England Disabled Sports
New England Disabled Sports, Loon
Mountain, N.H., offers Nordic and
biathlon. For more information, visit
www.nedisabledsports.org or call (603)
745-6281, ext. 5663.
northeast passage
Since 2007, with support from
U.S. Paralympics, Northeast
Passage, Durham, N.H., has been
providing instruction, adaptive
equipment, coaching, and elite
athlete development. Region- wide
collaboration between Northeast
Passage, the New England Nordic
Ski Association (NENSA), Nordic
ski clubs and centers, and other
adaptive sports organizations have
led to comprehensive programming
and entrance into competitive races
and events. The Northeast Passage
Adaptive Nordic Ski Team competes
locally and nationally.
Athletes can attend Northeast
Passage’s annual snow training camp
to focus on skill development with
access to the Northeast Passage
coaching staff and U.S. adaptive team
development coaches. For more
information, contact Nordic ski coach
Cathy Thompson at (603) 862-0070 or
visit www.nepassage.org.
Sports Association
The Sports Association, a chapter
of DSUSA in Wallingford, Conn., will
be offering adaptive Nordic skiing this
winter. Dates are dependent on winter
conditions. For more information,
contact Todd Munn at (203) 284-2772.
Stowe tour de Snow
Showcasing Nordic skiing is the
Stowe Tour de Snow, Sunday, Jan. 15.
Experienced athletes will enjoy the
terrain, and those new to the sport can
experiment with Nordic skiing.
Stowe Tour de Snow starts at the
top of the 5.3-mile Stowe Recreation
Path, where participants ski, walk,
snowshoe or run along the hard-
packed groomed surface, stopping at
stations to participate in family-friendly
activities.
Miss Wheelchair Maine, Monica
Quimby, will also be on hand
to demonstrate her skills as an
accomplished Nordic skier.
Cost is $5 per person. For questions
or to reserve equipment, contact
Pascale Savard by Dec. 18 at pascale@
stowe.nu. For more information about
the event, visit www.stowetourdesnow.
com
telluride Adaptive Sports program
Telluride Adaptive Sports Program
offers Nordic skiing for all ability levels
and is a Cross Country Ski Association
(CXC) Opportunity Center. Whether
a beginner or a seasoned cross-
country skier after a Nordic experience
on the track or in the backcountry,
Telluride has many choices. For more
information, contact Tim McGough
at (970) 728-3865 or programs@
tellurideadaptivesports.org.
body. Then put the tips of the poles in the
snow and push your body back up to a
standing position.”
the ‘make like a bug’ methoD
“It is important to protect wrist and
shoulders in a fall, and this can be done
by drawing the arm into the body rather
than trying to “break” one’s fall with
outstretched arms,” said Palchak. “The
simplest way for a stand-up skier to get
up from a fall is to ‘make like a dead bug’
by rolling onto their back with all limbs in
the air. They can then take off their poles,
grab the tips of their skis and roll over
in one smooth move until their skis are
underneath them and they can stand up.
“There is also the option of stepping
out of one’s skies, standing up and step-
ping back into the skis. Sit-down skiers
can generally roll to their side and push
themselves back up to an upright posi-
tion,” she said.
DSUSA chapter Events-resources
Many DSUSA chapters offer beautiful settings for Nordic skiing as well as
offering instruction, competitions, and events that appeal to any ability.
Here is a sampling of what some chapters are doing.
(note: this is not an all-inclusive listing.)
>> Continued from previous page
fall 2011 | challenge magazine | 23
skate skiing
“Skate skiing is done on
groomed or smooth surfaces (not
in tracks), and the motion is simi-
lar to an ice skater,” explained
Palchak. “The athlete again
maintains an athletic, flexed
stance balanced over the ball of
the gliding foot and glides each
ski forward in a toes pointed out
(herringbone) manner.”
using poles
“All poling in skating is
‘double poling’ meaning both
poles are planted at the same
time as opposed to the diagonal/
alternate poling motion in classic
skiing,” said Palchak. “In both
skate and classic skiing there are
a variety of poling techniques to
be used as one progresses. Sit-
down skiers use double poling
techniques and whatever core
muscles they have available to
propel themselves up and down
the trails.”
limitless Benefits
“The obvious benefit is fitness. It’s an activity that promotes good health and exer-
cise,” said Maggie Feeney, Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra. “Nordic skiing also offers
an individual the opportunity to push their own limits of their physical body in a ma-
jestic outdoor environment. Best of all, there are no lift lines or snowboarders running
over your ski saying ‘sorry bro!’”
Palchak concurs the benefits are ‘limitless!’
“Nordic skiing is one of the ‘silent sports.’ You can take it almost anywhere with
friends, your dog or solo,” she said. “You can use a groomed Nordic ski facility or just
take off through the woods. All ages can enjoy Nordic skiing as a peaceful outing or
a vigorous and competitive sport. It allows athletes to get places and see things they
could not otherwise see – this is especially true for wheelchair users. This sport allows
for improvement of cardiovascular systems, endurance, balance, muscle strength and
more. Nordic skiing offers fabulous wildlife viewing opportunities as well as access to
splendid vistas. It can be a great option for families to get out and exercise together,
and it is also a great solo, mind clearing endeavor.”
Advises Palchak: “Don’t delay. Try it now and you will be hooked!”
“The air temperature is often low,
so while you need to dress warmly,
your body is generating more heat
from exercising so you have to find
a balance between staying warm
and overheating. Thin layers of
breathable clothing work best. Any
warm footwear will work...the lighter,
the better.”
– Matt Feeney
Adaptive Adventures
“On top, the skier should wear
lightweight layers, including an
under layer, possibly a fleece, and a
shell. Pants should be comfortable
and moisture wicking with a bit of
stretch. A hat and a pair of gloves
completes the outfit.”
– Ellen Adams
National Ability Center
“Dress in layers of athletic clothing
– synthetic fabric, stretch, wind/
weatherproof as appropriate. Use
sun and eye protection. Nordic ski
boots are required for stand-up
skiers. There are several types of
Nordic boot and binding systems.
Sit-down skiers should wear warm,
lightweight weather appropriate
footwear. Weather appropriate,
wicking, stretch clothing in layers is
optimal.”
– Maggie Palchak
Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra
Experts Dress for the trails
Continued on next page >>
Photo courtesy of Michael Faas
Photo courtesy of Adaptive Adventures
24 | challenge magazine | fall 2011
going up
The terrain a cross-country skier encounters is level and
gently rolling, but the occasional rise or small hill needs to
be ascended. To do this, a skier will take shorter, quicker
steps and poling action to ascend an incline. Stand-up
skiers also have the option of using a herringbone step to
climb steeper hills.
Dry lanD training
“Roller skiing is the most sport specific dry land training
practiced by elite athletes. This is available to both stand-
up and sit-down athletes. Cycling is another common
cross training sport as are hiking and running,” Palchak
said, adding this tip. “Practice standing and balancing
over one foot at a time, and keep an open mind because
those skinny skis seem darn slippery the first time you put
them on!”
Equipment round-Up
Adaptive equipment for the sport is available
for both stand-up and sit-skiers and can be
modified to accommodate nearly every ability.
A typical set of Nordic equipment includes skis,
bindings, boots and poles. Nordic skis are shaped
very differently than Alpine skis. They are lighter
weight and much skinnier. In addition, they have
more camber (flex) and reverse sidecut. Poles are
light and taller than Alpine poles.
Sit-skis have a seat balanced over a frame with
two cross-country skis about 12 inches apart. The
skier sits with legs extended in front, supported
by a footrest. Legs can be strapped to the sit-ski
for additional support. Sit-skiers can also be
pulled via tethers.
Some sit-ski manufacturers include Hall, Kiwi,
Sierra and Praschberger.
As with downhill skiing, visually-impaired
skiers can travel with a guide who will call out
directions and warn of obstacles. For those who
have limited ability to ski upright, walkers are an
option. The walkers have two cross-country skis
on the bottom to help the skier balance during a
self-propelled movement. A seat sling is provided
for resting.
>> Continued from previous page
Photo courtesy of Michael Faas
J.b. ball’s
is aboUt more than a golF game
TEE IT UP FoR
THE TRooPS
T
oday, because of J.B. Ball, board members
and volunteers, TIUFTT has grown into a
nationally-recognized organization that
has distributed nearly $4 million to various
programs and organizations that help
injured military veterans – from World War II to the
current conflict. The “fun” in the fundraising comes
from participants enjoying a day on the links, making
new friends and connecting with old ones, and for the
wounded, finding another outlet for rehabilitation.
“There were a lot of times my wife, Laurie, and I spent
on bended knee praying for the day Tyler would come
home,” J.B. said. “We wanted God to take care of Tyler,
and in turn we would try to take care of some of the
others that come home wounded.”
Because he and his sons shared many good times
on the golf course, Ball used golf as the means to raise
funds and Tee it up for the Troops was launched.
The first scheduled event, the National Day of Golf,
was held seven years ago the Friday before September
11 and has continued since. “It’s a day to go out and
enjoy the freedom we have in this country. We get a
chance to walk some of the most beautiful real estate
in the world on the golf course and we don’t have to
go through a checkpoint to do it. Whether you make a
donation or not, we don’t care. What we want you to
do is to remember and to thank those that are currently
serving and those who have done so in the past,” Ball
said.
Golfers who participate in the National Day of Golf
typically donate 10 percent of their green fees. “We
thought if we could get a million golfers out on the golf
course at $5 each, we could have an impact, we could
change some lives. But even a donation of $1 or $2 is
terrific,” Ball said. “Just go out and enjoy the day and
show that there are enough people around you to say
thank you to the military and keep the cause front and
center.”
Helping spread word of the event nationally is the
Club Managers Association of America. “They have
been very supportive of what we’re doing,” Ball
said. “The response from clubs across the country
is overwhelming. Many said they weren’t able to do
the event initially, but they wanted to help. That first
year, clubs from 16 states sent something for the silent
auction. They told us, ‘as you grow, we’ll grow with you.’
Currently there are 25 states that have full tournaments
on the National Day of Golf; California is the first
established chapter outside the state of Minnesota.”
Since its first event, TIUFTT has raised nearly $4
million, the majority from individual donations. “There
have been some great organizations that supported
us, such as Bridgestone Golf,” said Ball. “They have
donated golf balls to us from the beginning, probably in
tee it up for the troops (tiUFtt) was launched in 2005 as a single golf tournament,
designed to help veterans and their families by raising scholarship funds. the heart
and soul of tee it up for the troops is James “J.b.” ball, who created the organiza-
tion to honor a request from his son, tyler, who was stationed in iraq at the time.
tyler suggested his family do something for the soldiers and their families back
home who were in need.
26 | challenge magazine | fall 2011
fall 2011 | challenge magazine | 27
excess of $100,000. Our largest single contributor is PGA golfer
Hunter Mahon, who donated $50,000 from the Ryder Cup when
he qualified for that event and $50,000 from the Presidents
Cup. TIUFTT matched his donations, and on behalf of Hunter
and Tee it up for the Troops, $10,000 was given to 10 different
organizations.
“We have pledged to be good stewards of the money and to
reach out to other organizations that change lives. We’re a bit
unique in that you don’t often find a nonprofit organization that
is trying to support other organizations. We hope that we can do
it for many years to come,” he said.
A SoLID RELATIonSHIP BEGInS WITH DSUSA
In the process of reviewing organizations that are doing the
right thing from day one and making a difference, we reached
out to DSUSA because we witnessed some of the activities
they do for the disabled in skiing, marathons, and cycling. We
thought we could help with golf events.”
Ball recalled his first meeting with DSUSA’s Executive Director
Kirk Bauer. “I happened to be walking the Halls of
Walter Reed when I recognized Kirk doing the same. I
introduced myself and explained about Tee it
up for the Troops and how we’d like to be
more involved with DSUSA. Kirk took the
time right there standing in the hallway of
Walter Reed to talk to me about it. This
turned out to be a very good relationship
with DSUSA as well as a terrific friendship
with Kirk. We’ve done the Bataan
Memorial Death March together,
we’ve golfed together, and we’ve
done the DSUSA galas.
“Through Kirk, we’ve been able
to get into the hospitals more
effectively and meet some of
the individual warriors. When
we want to engage wounded
warriors for an event, we know we
can count on Kirk to help.”
MoRE THAn A GAME:
GIVInG To oTHERS
Ball emphasized that playing
at TIUFTT events is inclusive for
all veterans, no matter the era.
UpcoMing EvEntS
TEE TIME: JAN. 4-8, ORLANDO
TIUFTT and Reunion® Golf Resort will host
its first annual golf event with the intent being
to bring friends, families, and military comrades
together for four days of golf and fun. Tee it up
for the Troops, has invited DSUSA, Hope for the
Warriors, Troops First Foundation, and Fisher
House Foundation, to join Tee it up for the Troops
Reunion event Jan. 4-8 in Orlando.
The event will be held at the Reunion® Resort
and will feature a golf competition in honor of the
men and women in uniform. The cost of $4,400 per
foursome will help offset the cost of bringing in 20
wounded warriors for the event. An opening night
reception will be held for everyone to become
acquainted before the Thursday morning scramble.
Friday and Saturday, there will be a two-person
tourney. Prizes will be awarded to the top teams.
“We encourage vets who haven’t seen each
other in years to contact one another and plan to
have a reunion, the first of what we hope will be an
annual reunion.
on DEck
A GOLF EVENT FOR THE LADY VETS
TIUFTT is in the planning stages for a golf event
for female military personnel in June 2012. This
idea came from a former board member who is
married to a veteran. “We want to recognize that
there are women who have served in all conflicts.
We tend to lose sight of that so we are doing a
separate women’s initiative,” Ball said. DSUSA will
be joining TIUFTT in this effort.
Ball noted that at the first TIUFTT event, wound-
ed warrior and amputee Melissa Stockwell, who
had never golfed before, was a participant.
folloW tHroUgH
FREEDOM IS SWEET
TIUFTT has worked with the Texas Restaurant
Association and the National Restaurant Associa-
tion to promote Veteran’s Day week 2011 with a
Freedom Is Sweet campaign. Participating res-
taurants on and around the Veteran’s Day holiday
dedicated a portion of their dessert sales to the
fundraising campaign to support rehabilitation
efforts for military veterans from all branches of
service and their families through housing, medi-
cal, athletic, occupational and physical training
programs.
“Texas is our test run and we intend to go na-
tional with this in 2012,” Ball said.
Giving the campaign a boost was former First
Lady Laura Bush, who appeared in a public service
announcement promoting the event.
Continued on next page >>
Tyler and J.B. Ball
28 | challenge magazine | fall 2011
“We want to thank all veterans that have served. It’s not just about inviting
golfers from every generation to participate, but it’s reaching out to other
organizations that are supporting those who serve and have served. We now
contribute to the ground transportation for the honor flights to honor World
War II and Korean veterans traveling to the Washington, D.C., memorial.
“We helped sponsor a Vietnam Vets ‘welcome home’ event here in
Minnesota. We had more than 5,000 Vietnam vets at the state capital and
some of them in over 40 years had never heard anyone say thank you, so
there was a lot of emotion that weekend to witness. The Vietnam Vets that I
have met over the years are some of the first people to step up to the tee in
support of the mission of TIUFTT. They’ve been there since day one and do not
want the troops today to have the same reception they received upon their
homecoming,” he said.
“We also became involved with service dog organizations, PawPADs and
Puppies Behind Bars. Recently, a black Lab named Birdie came through with
flying colors on her first night with a Marine recovering at Bethesda Naval
Hospital. The Marine could not sleep through the night, waking every half hour.
But with Birdie’s calming influence, he was able to sleep for over five hours
straight. Interacting with Birdie, also helped him interact with family members,
particularly a young daughter.”
TyLER WoRKInG BEHInD THE SCEnE
Ball recalled the joyful moment when Tyler arrived back in the states safely.
“Since he’s been home from Iraq, Tyler has volunteered every year for
TIUFTT, but golfed in only one TIUFTT golf event. He prefers helping with the
bag drop, setting up tee box signs and volunteer stations, driving the beverage
cart, and personally greeting the veterans who are teeing off.
Ironically, Ball also has not played in any Minnesota TIUFTT events. “I enjoy
greeting people and thanking them for supporting the cause and if I’m golfing,
I’m just with the same four or five people. By not playing, I can greet 150
veterans in the morning and 150 golfers in the afternoon and interact with
some of the volunteers. I would rather do that than play golf,” he said. “Since
I’ve met the individual warriors and veterans and warriors across the country, I
don’t think I’d ever be able to walk away from being involved with TIUFTT.”
A WoUnDED WArrior
finDS HiS SoUl
If the wounded military returning
home were to have their experienc-
es written in a book, each veteran,
according to J.B. Ball, would have
their own chapter. Ball, the founder
of Tee it up for the Troops, knows
from experience many of these
stories from the soldiers he met
through his organization.
He shares one heart-rending story.
“There is a young man who came
to our event in Minnesota several
years ago. I met him at Walter Reed.
He was pale and gaunt and weighed
about 130 pounds, standing in a
corner, smoking one cigarette after
another. He was not in the moment.
I approached him and said, ‘I don’t
know what you are going through
and I can’t relate, but you are com-
ing to Minnesota and having a good
time playing some golf. There’s no
pressure, but I want you to meet
another wounded warrior who is
playing golf. He is a double ampu-
tee and has had to deal with pain,
medications, and rehabilitation, just
as you have.
“Later that week, I received a call
from a doctor at Walter Reed and
he told me to keep doing what we
were doing. The golf outing was a
turning point for this young man,
and the changes in him are critical to
his recovery.
“Fast forward a year and Kirk
Bauer invites me to the DSUSA golf
outing at the Army Navy Country
Club. I’m walking across the park-
ing lot, and I see a young man who
looks to be about 180 pounds and
in great shape. We looked at each
other and I recognize him as the
young soldier. He had improved so
much he was now in front of televi-
sion cameras for DSUSA. He said,
‘J.B., I want to thank you. I might
not be standing here today if I had
not made that trip to Minnesota;
whatever you need, whenever you
need it, just call me.’”
That’s one of many touching
stories J.B. Ball has heard. He says:
“We haven’t done our job if they
don’t leave here asking, ‘can I come
back?’”
>> Continued from previous page
Benefits of Adaptive
Snow Sports
The benefits of adaptive snow sports
are powerful. They allow people with
disabilities the opportunity to enjoy a
certain measure of freedom, mobility,
and the outdoors with the aid of special-
ized equipment and trained instructors.
Individuals that participate in adaptive
sports experience a sense of fulfillment,
success, and independence that they
might have otherwise been lacking. The
activities also encourage socialization
and ignite a competitive spirit.
Similarly, physical therapy promotes
mobility, independence, and healing
and is often an integral part of adaptive
sports programs. Physical therapist Bren-
dan Sullivan sees the cross-over between
physical therapy and adaptive sports in
his own practice saying, “The trend in
physical therapy right now is functional
training. For athletes, this translates into
sport specific exercises that lead an indi-
vidual back to their desired sport.”
Yeshayahu Hutzler, president of the
International Federation of Adapted
Physical Activity, extols the benefits of
physical therapy and adaptive sports
saying, “Physical activity has very
tangible outcomes. When mastery and
success are accomplished through learn-
ing a new motor skill, such as swimming,
riding, cycling, batting, etc., or through
increasing the strength needed to push
the body away from the floor, thus initi-
ating modes of locomotion, individuals
of all ages and abilities gain confidence
in their body and consequently their
life.”
virtual rehabilitation
To facilitate the bond between physi-
cal therapy and adaptive snow sports
even more, Sullivan has turned his at-
tention to technology. He uses gaming
systems in a virtual reality-augmented
therapy program to rehabilitate athletes
not just for regular life, but also for a
better transition back into their chosen
sport.
“What I’ve consistently heard from
patients, specifically snowboarders re-
covering from injuries, is that traditional
therapeutic exercise did not prepare
them for the rigors of their sport nor
did it challenge them on an emotional
level,” Sullivan said.
When he introduced the Nintendo®
Wii gaming system into his private prac-
tice in 2009, his patients immediately
responded with positive feedback.
“My patients find the experience of
playing motion controlled video games
both immersive and enjoyable,” he said.
Virtual rehabilitation offers several
benefits over conventional therapy,
according to Burdea in a 2003 keynote
address at a workshop on virtual rehabili-
tation. It is entertaining and motivates
patients. It also provides actual outcome
measures, such as limb velocity or range
of motion, to prove the value of therapy.
Sullivan primarily uses virtual rehabili-
tation to prepare persons with disabili-
ties or injured athletes for snowboard-
ing. “It is an evaluative tool rather than a
simple piece of equipment. The technol-
ogy is not intended to teach someone
how to snowboard. What we’re trying
to do is to take into account all of the
variables that someone fundamentally
needs to start snowboarding,” he said.
“When paired with good instruction, this
technology can help determine any un-
derlying weaknesses that require skilled
therapy and/or further modification to
adaptive snowboard equipment.”
future plans
Although Sullivan’s patients enjoy
their therapy sessions with the Nin-
tendo® Wii, it soon became clear that
that system wasn’t challenging enough.
Today, he is working with a physician and
a technology developer to reconfigure
the Nintendo® remote controller into a
balance board that more closely mirrors
the physical demands, such as twisting,
pivoting, and tilting, required of snow-
boarders returning to the slopes.
As Sullivan goes on to explain, “A
gaming company’s primary goal is to
sell games and accessories, not neces-
sarily to meet the needs of the adaptive
community.” To meet the needs of those
people, Sullivan hopes his modi-
fied gaming controller, the Adaptive
Snow-Balance board™, can fill the gap
between virtual rehabilitation gaming
technology and adaptive snowboarding.
To Sullivan, the blending of technolo-
gy, physical therapy, and adaptive sports
is a natural step and one that he will
continue to use in his own practice.
“Using virtual rehabilitation as a
precursor for adaptive sports is a great
way to prepare persons with disabilities
or injured athletes for the rigors, both
mental and physical, of returning to a
sport,” he said. “The more prepared one
is, the greater chance of success and
consequently greater healing, I believe.”
virtual Wii-habilitation
Assists Disabled
Snowboarders
As adaptive snow sports centers and programs are
on the rise in the United States, the connection
between adaptive sports and physical therapy is
becoming stronger and ever more present. Physical
therapists are becoming integral components in
adaptive sports programs, while adaptive sports are
seen by therapists as effective transitional buffers for
individuals with disabilities leaving
rehabilitation programs.
By Mary Ann Cozza and Brendan Sullivan
fall 2011 | challenge magazine | 29
Adaptive Action Sports launches A.S.x.
training and race Series
A.S.x. championship
Series of Snowboarding
2011/2012
SLALOM/GIANT SLALOM LEARN
TO RIDE CLINIC: BEGINNERS
Dec. 14-18, 2011
Crested Butte, Colo.
1ST ADAPTIVE CHAMPIONSHIP
SERIES RACE
Dec. 18
Crested Butte, Colo.
X GAMES
Jan. 26-29, 2012
Aspen, Colo.
ADAPTIVE SNOWBOARDER X
COMPETITION AT X GAMES
Jan. 29
Aspen, Colo.
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED
BOARDER X CLINIC
Feb. 26
Sierra at Tahoe, Calif.
2ND ADAPTIVE CHAMPIONSHIP
SERIES RACE
Feb. 26
Sierra at Tahoe, Calif.
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED
BOARDER X CLINIC
Mid-March; dates TBD
Crested Butte, Colo.
3RD ADAPTIVE CHAMPIONSHIP
SERIES RACE
Mid-March; dates TBD
Crested Butte, Colo.
INTERMEDIATE/ADVANCED
BOARDER X CLINIC
April 5
Copper Mountain, Colo.
4TH ADAPTIVE CHAMPIONSHIP
SERIES RACE
April 5
Copper Mountain, Colo.
With the expectation that adaptive snowboarding will be included in the
2018 Paralympics in South Korea, competitive snowboarders have six years to
prepare to compete for a spot on the U.S. Para-Snowboard Team.
To provide a training ground and competition opportunities for adaptive
athletes to hone their snowboarding skills, Adaptive Action Sports, Inc. (AAS) is
initiating its A.S.X. (Adaptive Snowboard BoarderX) training and race series.
In December, AAS kicks off the first series with four, four-day Learn-to-Ride-
and-Race camps, each followed by an open race. The training camps are built
on AAS’ experience in conducting or coordinating more than four dozen Action
Sports events since 2005. Each camp is designed to provide ten participants with
individualized, on-snow training based on a pre-camp assessment of their current
skill levels and their specific goals, whether these goals are for recreational
purposes or the Paralympics.
Each camp will be instructed by an experienced adaptive snowboard instructor,
assisted by a team of AAS’ newly-credentialed Level 1 Adaptive Snowboard
Instructors. The ratio of camp participants to AAS staff, coaches, and instructors
will remain 1:2. The training camps will end on the fourth morning with an
amateur-level competition.
Immediately following the close of the training camps, AAS will hold its A.S.X.
champion race series. Registration will be limited to intermediate and advanced
riders. Cash purses will be offered.
The concept for the A.S.X. series was
planted last summer when AAS was invited
to host one of three cash prize adaptive
skateboard competitions sponsored by Shoe
City. The AAS event, with cash awards and
prizes valuing more than $3,000, was held at
Summer X Games 17.
AAS plans to replicate its 2011-12 Snow
Series with a 2012 summer A.S.X. (Adaptive
Skateboard X Series). Both A.S.X. series will
be annual events.
To apply for a spot in the A.S.X.
snowboard camps or to register for the open
A.S.X. race, contact AAS at info@adacs.org.
in brieF | sports & recreation
30 | challenge magazine | fall 2011
The Adaptive Sports Center (ASC) in
Crested Butte, Colo., will celebrate
25 years of outdoor adventure
activities for people with disabilities
in February. To commemorate this
milestone, the ASC is extending a
special promotion to current and
new participants: 25 percent off
individual ski or snowboard lessons
from Feb. 1-17. Advance reservations
are recommended, and specialized
activities, such as camps, Nordic
skiing, ice climbing, and hut trips, are
excluded.
Other camps this season include:
High Adventure Camp for Teens with
Amputations and Limb Differences, Jan.
4-7; Big Mountain Monoski Camp, Feb.
4-6; Spring Break Siblings Camp, March
12-16; High Adventure Weekend:
Ladies Getaway, March 17-19; and
Backcountry Hut Trip, April 11-12.
For more information about camps
and other programming, visit www.
adaptivesports.org, email info@
adaptivesports.org, or call (970) 349-2296.
the Adaptive Sports
center turns 25
Photo courtesy of Kurt Reise
Sports, Arts, and Recreation of
Chattanooga (SPARC) will once again
be a co-sponsor for the 31st annual
adaptive snow skiing event DSUSA
Learn to Ski. It will take place at
Ski Beech Mountain Resort in Beech
Mountain, N.C., Jan. 16-20.
The Learn to Ski event is part of
the SkiTour, which offers individuals
learning, racing, and competitive
opportunities. The goal is to provide
a centralized resource for participants,
competitors, parents, and instructors.
For more information, e-mail Al Kaye,
M.S., CTRS, at akaye@covhlth.com or
call (865) 541-1353.
SpArc co-Sponsors
DSUSA learn to
Ski 2012
Disabled veterans fished the Atlantic Ocean for the New England Disabled
Sports Fishing Program this season. They were welcomed aboard The
American by the Military Liaison and Fishing Program Coordinator, Todd Rohr.
A group of athletes from NEDS and Wounded Warriors participated in the
New Hampshire Highland Games in a stone throw. This was the first time
that disabled athletes participated in Highland Game competitions, and the
International Scottish Highland Game Committee is going to request an
international mandate to include Highland Game events for disabled athletes.
Along with this, NEDS added scuba diving, surfing, and adaptive golf to its
list of recreational activities this summer. NEDS received a $10,000 donation
from Olympic Gold Medal winner Bode Miller’s Turtle Ridge Foundation. This
contribution supported the purchase of a SoloRider golf cart, and it helped
make the adaptive golf program accessible to students with ambulatory
disabilities.
The NEDS Equipment Demonstration Program will introduce the latest
technology in adaptive equipment at the Ski Spectacular in Breckenridge,
Colo., and venues in the Northeast. During the winter months, NEDS will be
organizing biathlon events, and the Wounded Warrior weekend will be held
March 22, 23, and 24.
NEDS is also in the process of hiring a new race coach. This person must
be available four days per week, and he or she will need to work full time
during vacation weeks. The new coach will help athletes train for an entire
season and take their skiing to the Paralympic level. NEDS is also looking for a
former U.S. Disabled Alpine Ski Team member to head this program.
For more information about events and programs, visit www.
nedisabledsports.org or call (603) 745-6281, ext 5663.
nEDS fishing program and other news
chapter news | DsUsa
fall 2011 | challenge magazine | 31
32 | challenge magazine | fall 2011
DsUsa | chapter news
outdoor Adventures in
logan, Utah
Common Ground Outdoor Adventures in
Northern Utah provides year-round outdoor
recreational opportunities for youth and adults
with disabilities. Upcoming winter and spring
trips include climbing, white-water rafting,
adaptive skiing, canoeing, and camping trips to
National Parks in the West. Each trip is adapted
to meet the needs of all abilities, and accessible
airport shuttles are available from Salt Lake
International Airport to Logan, Utah. Equipment,
meals, and transportation from Logan are
included in the cost. Scholarships are available to
individuals who are low income.
Upcoming events include:
December 2011 – March 2012: Winter
programs include rock climbing at our local
indoor facility, the Rock Haus, snowshoeing and
cross-country skiiing through the mountains of
Cache Valley, and ice fishing at various lakes in the
Valley. Adaptive equipment for all abilities. All
events will start as soon as the weather permits.
January – March 2012, Adaptive Alpine Ski
Program: For all abilities at Beaver Mountain Ski
Resort, Logan, Utah.
February 2012, Dogsledding trip, Jackson
Hole, Wyo.: Snowshoeing, cross-country skiing,
and dogsledding with the Jackson Hole Iditarod.
Accommodations at Teton Science School in
Teton National Park.
For more information or to sign up for
activities, call (435) 713-0288, e-mail programs@
cgadventures.org, or visit www.cgadventures.org.
After three weeks of rain and Hurricane Irene, 14 female OIF/OEF Wounded Warriors from all over the country participated
in a water sports program, Sept. 22-24. Attendees enjoyed water skiing, wake boarding, tubing, kayaking, golfing, and more.
There were also special group therapy sessions for bonding and healing.
On Sept. 23, the group traveled to New York City and visited Ground Zero. Saturday night ended with a banquet; Army
veteran Tamara Jenkins sang “Amazing Grace.” Medals were also awarded to participants of the water sports events.
leaps of faith organizes Water Sports for Wounded Warriors
fall 2011 | challenge magazine | 33
Higher Ground, a division of Sun Valley Adaptive Sports, is
preparing for another season of Winter Sports camps. The weeks’
activities focus on injured veterans and their caregivers and include
skiing, snowboarding, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and
ice skating. Veterans and spouses receive private instruction from
trained professionals, who provide adaptive teaching techniques based
on each veteran’s cognitive and physical challenges.
Higher Ground facilitates a change in perspective and helps
participants learn recreational skills to reintegrate into their
communities. It serves veterans with traumatic brain injuries, post-
traumatic stress disorder, polytrauma, blindness, and mental illness.
After a day of skiing, a participant said, “Today, I learned that my
physical barriers never actually existed. At the camps, I didn’t have to
face stress or limitations. I found a release. I discovered a side of me
that I thought I had lost and was unable to find on my own.”
2012 winter dates can be found at www.hgvets.org. For more
information or to apply to the program, e-mail Bert Gillette at
bert@svasp.org or call (208) 726-9298, ext. 104.
recreation and rehabilitation
with Higher ground
The Unrecables celebrated the new ski season at the Snow Gala at
Castaway Restaurant in Burbank, Calif., on Nov. 5. John Melville and
Sigrid Noack were named the 2011 Man and Woman of the Year at the
event. The Snow Gala is hosted annually by the Los Angeles Council
of Ski Clubs.
The Mammoth Mountain ski trip schedule is posted on The
Unrecables website, www.unrecables.org. Newsletters, trip forms, and
a membership application are available to download from the site.
Monthly social hours are held on the second Tuesday evening at 6:30
p.m. at Mi Ranchito Family Restaurant in Culver City, Calif.
For more information, e-mail info@unrecables.com or visit
www.unrecables.org. The chapter is also on Facebook.
the Unrecables kick off the Ski Season
Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association,
in partnership with Adaptive Adventures
hosts a Midwest Adaptive Ski and Ride
program on a variety of dates in January
and February. GLASA’s program is based at
Wilmot Hill, Wis., and offers adaptive ski and
snowboard opportunities to youth, adults and
injured service members with physical or visual
disabilities.
Participants will learn how to move about
the base of the snow, gliding, sliding, cutting
and carving. We work on lots of skills at the
base of the hill and on the smaller “bunny
hills” until the skiers/boarders are comfortable
and confident to use the lift. As participants
get better, they will start to work on some
higher level skills including how to ski a
NASTAR race.
Cost is $25/person for a session which
includes equipment, lift ticket and instruction.
Anyone with a physical disability or visual
impairment can participate; prior experience is
not necessary. For more information, contact
Keri Schindler at kschindler@glasa.org or Joel
Berman at joel@adaptiveadventures.org.
great lakes Adaptive
Sports Association (glASA)
34 | challenge magazine | fall 2011
DsUsa | chapter news
The Telluride Adaptive Sports Program (TASP) hosts
a variety of camps and offers a wide range of winter
activities:
Jan. 29-Feb. 3, 12th annual Expand Your Horizons! Ski
Camp: This camp focuses on individuals with physical
disabilities who feel comfortable skiing at an intermediate
or advanced level. The camp includes individual coaching
from some of the top PSIA instructors in the adaptive
snowsport industry, video/movement analysis, and training
and racing on the Telluride Level 1 NASTAR course. All
participants have the opportunity to ski a variety of trails.
There are also buddies available to help participants hike
to previously inaccessible terrain. People are able to join
HeliTrax, Colorado’s only full-time heli-ski operation, for a
day of helicopter-assisted backcountry skiing. This is for
an expert skier, and an additional fee is required. TASP
continues to be the only adaptive ski camp in the country
to offer this level of skiing. The camp costs $975 and
includes lodging, equipment, lift tickets, coaching, video
analysis, most meals, and some après ski events.
Feb. 19-24, Winter Veterans Adventure Week: This
camp is geared toward recently injured service members
of any snowsport ability. Participants enjoy individualized
attention from highly-trained snowsport instructors with
the option of video analysis, race training, and a variety of
other activities. Lodging, après ski events, and most meals
are included.
Daily activities available in Telluride include:
• Adaptive Ski and Snowboard Lessons for individuals of
all ages and ability levels.
• Nordic Ski Lessons for both stand-up and sit-down
skiers on groomed tracks or backcountry powder.
• Snowshoeing
• Backcountry skiing and riding for intermediate to
advanced levels.
• Helicopter-assisted skiing for advanced skiers and
riders.
• Ice climbing for all ability levels.
For more information or to register for any of these
events or activities, visit www.tellurideadaptivesports.org or
contact Tim McGough, Program Director, at (970) 728-3865
or programs@tellurideadaptivesports.org.
Winter Sports in telluride, co
Body Power

vs Bionic . . .
There is no contest!








. . . accept the challenge.
Northeast Passage and the Cooperative Extension
at the University of New Hampshire are offering two
overnight White Mountain Winter Adventure Camps
for military teens around the country, Jan. 6-9 and Jan.
20-23. The camps are designed for teens, ages 14-18,
with physical or developmental and cognitive disabilities
who have a parent serving in the military.
Activities include alpine and Nordic skiing,
dogsledding, skating, snow tubing, snowshoeing, and
snow shelter building. The $20 registration fee includes
lift tickets, lessons, equipment rentals, food, and lodging
at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s Highland Center
Lodge in Bretton Woods, N.H. There are no additional
fees, and transportation assistance is available, including
airfare for teens and a companion.
For more information, visit www.nhomk.com or
contact Charlotte Cross at (603) 862-2495 or
militaryteen.camp@unh.edu to sign up.
Winter Adventure for Military
teens in new Hampshire
fall 2011 | challenge magazine | 35
participants gather
for Sports-tacular xi
in Michigan
The 11th annual Michigan Adaptive
Sports’ (MAS) Sports-Tacular event
was held Sept. 9-11, at Camp
Dearborn in Milford, Mich. The event
hosted nearly 25 participants, the most
the Sports-Tacular has ever seen. They
were greeted by rain as they registered
for two nights of camping in accessible
and permanent family tents. Each tent
was equipped with six cots, electricity,
and a kitchenette.
The purpose of Sports-Tacular is to
introduce people with disabilities to a
variety of adaptive sports and provide
resources and additional skill-specific
instruction. An inclusive camping
weekend also provides participants and
families with an opportunity to connect
with nature and one another.
MAS and Michigan Adaptive Sports
Coalition volunteers and organizations
offered eight sport clinics: tennis,
basketball, rugby, kayaking, hand
cycling, fishing, adaptive aquatics, and
golf. Participants and families also
had the opportunity to watch a brief
wheelchair basketball and quad rugby
demonstration by athletes. For families
with non-participating children, the
campground offered activities such as
paddle boating and mini golf. A disc
jockey provided live entertainment
during the Saturday night social event,
and there was a moonlight cruise for all
participants.
Michigan Adaptive Sports also
hosted three adaptive kayaking
and water-skiing clinics prior to the
Sports-Tacular event. Volunteers and
participants are now gearing up for the
ski season, where the group will host
four learn-to-ski clinics at Pine Knob in
Clarkston, Mich., and two weekend ski
trips to Schuss Mountain and Crystal
Mountain, both located in Northern
Michigan.
For more information
about winter events, visit
www.michiganadaptivesports.org.
The University
of Central
Oklahoma
(UCO) is
planning two
camp programs
for disabled
athletes, the
Center of
Excellence and
the Central
Command Program. These camps
focus on military veterans and
involvement in Paralympic sports.
The Center of Excellence is a
three-day camp in Edmond, Okla.,
for wounded warriors who have
shown great skill and athletic
potential in archery, powerlifting, and
cycling. The archery camp will be
held June 4-7, 2012. Individuals can
participate in the powerlifting camp
March 15-18, 2012, and June 10-12,
2012. The cycling camp is tentatively
scheduled for April 12-15, 2012.
For more information, contact
Kimo Aweau at kaweau@uco.edu.
Uco plans to Host
two camp programs
36 | challenge magazine | fall 2011
DsUsa | chapter news
To celebrate its 30th anniversary this winter,
Maine Handicapped Skiing (MHS) will continue to
expand and adapt to the needs of people with
disabilities and launch a variety of programs,
events, and initiatives.
MHS has become the Maine Sport Club of U.S.
Paralympics this summer. Due to several grants
and donations, equipment and instructors will be
located at numerous new locations for alpine and
Nordic skiing lessons and demos.
MHS is also partnering with schools, districts,
and universities. New training programs have been
developed for December and January with the
University of Maine at Farmington, Gould Academy,
and the Colby College Ski Team. MHS is also
working with several local school districts to help
teachers and specialists adapt physical education
curriculum and winter sports for students with
disabilities.
The MHS Alpine Race Team and the Seventh
Annual Veterans/No Boundaries winter program,
Feb. 3-6, are looking forward to a successful season.
MHS is also a sponsor of the New England Visually
Impaired Ski Festival at Sugarloaf Mountain Resort
in Carrabassett, Maine, on February 12-16. Visit
www.nevifest.org for more information. MHS
is hosting several winter camps with other
organizations, including Camp No Limits and the
New England Blind Athletic Association. MHS will
also host its first multi-day monoski camp in January
at the Sunday River Ski Resort in Newry, Maine.
The 27th Annual MHS Ski-A-Thon will serve as
a culmination to the season. Also, a fundraiser
on March 24, at Sunday River, will be a special
occasion, with a fundraising goal of $350,000 or
more.
With broader offerings, a sharper message, and
customized programs, MHS hopes to attract more
participants and volunteers. It plans to continue
capacity building and quality improvement efforts
within the core lesson program to deepen the
sports and recreation experience for participants.
MHS has provided adaptive alpine skiing
instruction at Sunday River since 1982. The
organization currently serves 400 children and
adults with physical disabilities. MHS has also
offered lessons and programs in Nordic skiing and
snowshoeing, as well as many summer activities, for
over a decade. These lessons and programs have
remained free throughout MHS’ history.
To learn more about MHS or to get involved this
winter, visit www.skimhs.org.
MHS celebrates 30th Ski
Season with new programs
The Ski Apache Disabled Skier’s Program (SADSP) has recently
become a DSUSA chapter, but they have been assisting
disabled skiers since 1976, when three disabled Vietnam vets
learned to ski using adaptive ski equipment. Today, SADSP
works with individuals, schools, rehabilitation centers, military
groups, and occupational and physical therapy programs.
Ski Apache is located on the flank of 12,000’ Sierra Blanca Peak,
the highest mountain in southern New Mexico. Sierra Blanca
and the Sacramento Mountains are part of the homelands of the
Mescalero Apache and the tribe has operated the ski area since
1963.
Ski Apache’s moderate winter
climate is perfect for beginner
and novice snow sports as there
is always freshly groomed man-
made snow, minus the freezing
days. PSIA-certified instructors
are on call to help or guide
any person with a permanent
disability, regardless of physical
or financial limitations. More
experienced adaptive skiers will
enjoy the challenge of blue and
black terrain January through
March.
Upcoming events include
the 26th annual Silent Auction at the Inn of the Mountain Gods
Convention Center, Jan. 28, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.; and the annual
Challenge Race, Feb. 29-March 1.
For more information, visit www.
skiapachedisabledskiersprogram.com.
Ski Apache writes they look forward to joining the DSUSA family
and sharing ideas with other chapters to continually provide quality
winter and summer programs for persons with disabilities.
Welcome Ski Apache!
fall 2011 | challenge magazine | 37
Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, Paralympic Sport Mammoth Lakes,
will host its third annual Alpine Ski & Race Camp, Feb. 3-5, at
Mammoth Mountain Ski Area in Mammoth Lakes, Calif.
This Paralympic Outreach Camp offers athletes of all ages and skill
levels the opportunity to hone their skiing and racing skills on the
11,053-foot Mammoth Mountain. Coaches, such as Barrett Stein
and Paralympic medalist Chris Waddell,
train athletes ages 7-50 to improve their
skills. It is the perfect opportunity to
get involved with the growing adaptive
alpine racing scene on the West coast
and to ski with some of the best athletes.
For more information,
contact Maggie Palchak at
mpalchak@disabledsportseasternsierra.org.
Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra
Alpine Ski & race camp
Teton Adaptive Sports is partnering with
Adaptive Adventures, Grand Targhee Resort,
and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort to offer
two all mountain adaptive ski camps in the
2011-12 ski season.
The All Mountain Ski and Ride Camp
at Grand Targhee, Feb. 24-27, targets
intermediate and experienced skiers and
riders. The Steep and Deep Camp at Jackson
Hole is an instructional-based opportunity for
advanced adaptive skiers to develop their skills
and push their limits on challenging terrain.
It will take place Feb. 29-March 3. There are
reserved spots for Wounded Warriors at each
camp.
Last year’s camps offered great ski
conditions, with over 600 inches of snow
at the end of the season. A highlight of the
Steep and Deep Camp was the presence of
the World Champion and Paralympic medalist,
Chris Devlin-Young. His high-level skiing and
coaching were a tremendous addition and
learning opportunity for attendees. While at
Jackson Hole, Devlin-Young completed the first
unassisted sit-ski descent on Corbet’s Couloir.
Accomplished athletes, great coaching, and
ideal snow conditions made the camp a
success. Sit-skier Steve Ellefson said, “This was
the most exceptional ski camp ever.”
Adaptive lessons in all disciplines and for all
abilities are available at Grand Targhee Resort
and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort.
For more information, e-mail Kurt Henry with
Teton Adaptive Sports at tetonadaptive@aol.com
or call (307) 699-3554.
teton Adaptive Sports
offers All Mountain Ski
camps
The Bart J. Ruggiere Adaptive Sports Center offers ski lessons at
Sun Mountain’s Bromley Ski Resort in Peru, Vt., and has the latest
adaptive equipment and skilled trainers.
The Bart Center will hold its seventh Wounded Veterans Weekend,
Jan. 27-29. It is an opportunity to relax and learn to ski or snowboard.
The Bart Center is able to accommodate novice or experienced
groups and individuals, and participants can bring family and friends.
The Bart Center has opportunities for lessons every day.
In the spring, kayaking and cycling are offered in southern Vermont.
Reservations are required for all activities. For more information,
visit www.bartcenter.com, e-mail bartcenter@comcast.net, or
call (802) 824-5522, ext 430.
Winter and Spring in Southern
vermont with the Bart center
Photos courtesy of Jonathan Selcowitz
38 | challenge magazine | fall 2011
college park’s new celsus Foot
Brand new for 2011! Bringing College Park’s
innovative technology into a foot for lower impact
amputees, the Celsus combines proven durability with
controlled stability. Its balanced design and natural
motion provide stable footing on varied terrains. The
perfect lightweight design promotes confidence and
security, to accomplish favorite pastimes once again.
Key features include:
• Smooth proportional response with integrated
spring technology (iST)
• Low-profile design
• High weight limit of up to 136 kg (300 lbs)
• Maintenance-free
• Sandal toe
For more information, visit http://www.college-park.
com/prosthetics/celsus
marKetplace
Össur’s new balance Knee: safety and
stability for K2 patients
Balance Knee offers less active
users a balance of stability and
security, providing superior
adjustability and durability
accommodating all single-
speed ambulators. The four-
bar geometric design is easily
adjusted, optimizing the required
balance between stability and
walking dynamics.
Key features include:
• Mid-swing shortening increases
toe clearance, preventing hip hiking
while reducing chances of tripping.
• Adjustments are quickly completed
without taking off the distal tube.
• Adjustable extension assist ensures full knee
extension (externally accessible).
• Self-adjusting friction maintains constant friction,
preventing terminal impact from building over time.
• Adjustable stance control balances stability and
swing initiation.
For more information, visit www.ossur.com or call
(800) 233-6263.
new Waterproof prostheses from otto bock
Ready for shower, beach or pool, Otto Bock now
offers a line of waterproof components. Designed
specifically for use in the water, the Aqualine(r)
waterproof prostheses provide protection for either
below-knee or above-knee users. The Aqualine
components are perfect for use as a shower leg or
for other water activities, accommodating weights up
to 330 lbs. The system includes specially modified
adapters, pylons and a tube clamp along with the
waterproof knee and foot. Visit www.ottobockus.com.
hugger top soft-sock® with 3-e toe shape®
New Hugger Top Soft-Sock®
from Knit-Rite provides a
more tailored fit, reduces
rolling and bunching
and helps maintain
sock placement. This
sock also features our
patented hemispherically
knit three-dimensional distal
shape that provides improved
fitting qualities and comfort
over the traditional flat knit
envelope shape of prosthetic
socks. Hugger Top Soft-Socks
are moisture wicking and available
in white, pink, and black. Knit-Rite
products are available through your
prosthetist.
Payment information (check one): to donate online, go to www.dsusa.org and click on Donate!

Enclosed is my check or money order payable to Disabled Sports USA

Please bill $_________________________ to my: MC Visa AmEx
Card Number __________________________________________________
Exp Date ____________________________________________
Cardholder Name _______________________________________________
Signature ___________________________________________
return to: DSUSa, 451 hungerford Drive, Suite 100, rockville, mD 20850. for more information, call 301-217-9841.
Donations to DSUSA are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. DSUSA’s tax exempt number is 94-6174016.
Challenger - $50
• One-year Subscription to CHALLENGE Magazine (three issues)
Medalist - $100
• DSUSA Magnet and Patch plus DSUSA Challenger Benefits
Champion - $250 • Your name listed on the DSUSA website as a Disabled Sports USA Donor, DSUSA Shirt (size________) plus Medalist Benefits
Other amount
$_____________________
Check if you would like to make a donation and waive benefits
Donor oPtionS:
Full Name: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
City: ________________________________________________________________
State: ______________ Zip: _________________________
E-mail: ______________________________________________________________ Phone: __________________________________________
yoUr info:
Please donate today!
to donate online, go to www.dsusa.org and click on Donate!
“Disabled Sports USA’s mission is to provide national leadership and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop
independence, confidence, and fitness through participation in community sports, recreation and educational programs.”
Combined Federal Campaign #10151
fall 2011 | challenge magazine | 39
Your support is greatly appreciated!
Your donation can change a person’s life!
“This experience has been
one of a lifetime, and doing
it together with my wife,
it’s priceless. Being able to
successfully ski this week
has changed my expectations of
the future, making me realize
there’s a lot of things out
there that I want to do now.
This experience has given me
so much energy to try other
things, and will be to do more
skiing, trying other sports, and
encouraging others to try to
the same.”
U.S. Marine Corps
Sergeant Carlos Evans
Triple Amputee
Injured Afghanistan May 2010
“I was a 5 time state
champion and one time national
champion in wrestling at 13.
After the accident, it kinda got
away from me and I got a little
bit down. My PT took me to
a chapter of Disabled Sports
USA. Skiing helped me realize
that I can be better than 90
percent of the skiers out
there. It made a big difference
in my life, and now, I want
to help others know what is
possible!”
Andrew Kurka
USAST Development
Team Member