CHALLENGE M A G A Z I N E OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF DISABLED SPORTS USA AND ITS CHAPTER NETWORK SUMMER ‘14 | VOLUME 19 | NUMBER 2FLOOR SEE YOU ON THE The MV-1 is the only mobility solution built from the ground up. Designed with best- in-class accessibility, durability, and proven safety, the MV-1 provides independence wherever your travels may take you. • Spacious front-row wheelchair access • Meets or exceeds all ADA guidelines • Integrated side-entry ramp stores under the floor • Independent driving solutions readily available • Fully FMVSS certified from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) with a bumper-to-bumper warranty • Produced by Mobility Ventures, a new wholly-owned subsidiary of AM General WHERE WILL YOU VENTURE? All features subject to change. www.MV-1.us 1-877-MV1-FORU info@MV-1.us I’m POSSIBLE “LIFE IS NOT ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF. IT’S ABOUT CREATING YOURSELF.” Since she was a little girl, Carrie Davis knew she was unique. Born without her left arm, she often wondered “Why me?” She longed to be known for her contributions, not what she was missing. A prosthetic wearer since she was nine months old and long-time Hanger Clinic patient, today Carrie is the face and personality of Amputee Empowerment Partners, the leading peer-to-peer support network for those living with limb loss or difference. Carrie finds the answer to “Why me?” through helping others. In 740+ clinics throughout the U.S., Hanger Clinic delivers orthotic and prosthetic solutions to help more than 1,000,000 patients like Carrie turn their hopes and dreams into reality, break down barriers and move their lives forward. To find a Hanger Clinic near you, call 1-877-4HANGER or visit HangerClinic.com. Visit the new HangerClinic.com 1-877-4HANGER | HangerClinic.com Embrace the everyday. With a  exible, oval wrist and multiple grip types, the Michelangelo prosthetic hand is a natural. Talk to your practitioner to  nd out more—or visit us at www.living-with-Michelangelo.com 24 35 11 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 prOgrAMS MANAgEr Julia Ray, 301-217-9840 jray@dsusa.org prOgrAM cOOrDiNATOrS Karalyn Stott, 240-268-2180 kstott@dsusa.org Claire Duffy, 301-217-9839 cduffy@dsusa.org DEvElOpMENT Dave Simonson, 301-217-9837 dsimonson@dsusa.org cHApTEr SErvicES MANAgEr Rob Mueller, 240-268-0237 rmueller@dsusa.org cHiEf fiNANciAl OfficEr Bill Snyder, 301-217-9843 wsnyder@dsusa.org MiliTArY fiElD rEprESENTATivES Staff Sgt. Orlando Gill (Ret.) Maj. Bill Biondolillo, U.S. Army, (Ret.) BOArD Of DirEcTOrS OfficErS Robert Meserve, President Steve Goodwin, Vice President Todd Sajauskas, Treasurer & Secretary ATHlETE rEprESENTATivES Ralph Green, Winter Anjali J. Forber-Pratt, Summer MEMBErS AT lArgE Jack Daly Carol A. Harnett John Urias cHApTEr rEprESENTATivES Gail Loveland Katrina Shaklee DisAbLED spORts UsA, iNC. sUMMER ‘14 Volume 19 • Number 2 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.disabledsportsusa.org. Editorial Director: Kathy Laffey, Disabled Sports USA, 724-265-2546 • klaffey@dsusa.org Advertising inquiries: Ron Sonntag Public Relations, Patty Johnson, 1-800-969-0200 ext 103, E-mail: patty@rspr.com. Copyright 2014 by Disabled Sports USA, Inc. All rights reserved. Articles may not be reprinted in part or in whole without written permission from DSUSA. summer 2014 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | 5 6 pERspECtivE Kirk Bauer, JD Executive Director 31 MARKEtpLACE IN BRIEF 10 HiGHLiGHt REEL Welcome New Chapters Task Force Creating Best Practices for Inclusion in Sports Carol A. Harnett Named President of Council for Disability Awareness 11 stARtiNG LiNEUp Wheelchair Tennis Tournament Has Record Turnout 2014 ESPY Winners 20 WARFiGHtER spORts Warfighter Sports Golf Programs Continue Growth Stars & Stripes Veterans Program Bob Woodruff Foundation and Warfighter Sports Launch Helmets4Heroes DSES Wounded Warrior Camp Hits New Heights Team River Runner All-Inclusive Biathlon Ottasight and Paddling On FEatURES 12 sEE YOU ON tHE FLOOR 16 15tH ANNUAL ENDEAvOR GAMEs 17 tHE HARtFORD sKi spECtACULAR DSUSa 18 CHAptER ListiNG 24 CHAptER NEWs Happenings from around the country 29 CHAptER tO CHAptER Visit DSUSa.org for the expanded online version of Challenge Magazine. Use the QR code below. 16 12 28 29 On the cover: The U.S. Women’s National Sitting Volleyball team at the 2014 ParaVolley Sitting Volleyball World Championships in Elblag, Poland. The team took silver, its fourth straight silver in major international competition. Photo courtesy of USA Volleyball Over the past few years I have taken on two of the “Big Mountains” in the world, part of the Seven Summits, which are the largest mountains in each of the seven continents. Disabled Sports USA’s Team Warfighter Sports took on Africa’s Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,340 feet) in 2010. Our team, which included two wounded warriors who are double-leg amputees and me, successfully reached the summit. In 2012, 21 days after attempting to summit the highest mountain in North America, Alaska’s Mt. McKinley (20,000 feet), our team, which included two double-leg amputees, reached 15,500 feet before suspending the climb due to severe weather. These extreme efforts were an exception to the standard approach Warfighter Sports takes, which is to teach our wounded warriors sports skills that they can enjoy on a recreational level for the rest of their lives. These “life sports” enhance fitness and enjoyment of life. So you might ask, why do we make an exception and take on “Big Mountain” expeditions, which are expensive and involve only a few participants? The answer lies in the long-term benefits. The lessons learned in attempting these feats are immeasurable and can then be passed on to other people, including those with disabilities. Let me expand on one benefit of this approach. The steps taken to successfully climb one of these mountains are remarkably similar to those that must be taken in rehabilitation. First is the decision to attempt to climb the mountain, then carefully planning what steps must be taken and what training must be done. The next step is to implement the training, taking small steps to build endurance and skills. Finally, is to actually climb the mountain. Here, again, success is achieved not in giant leaps, but in taking many small steps to get to the top of the mountain. All of these steps are also critical elements in achieving successful rehabilitation after a severe and debilitating injury or disease. Similarly, in rehabilitation one must decide to take on a challenge and set a goal that may be perceived as nearly impossible. There is self-doubt, insecurity and fear of failure that accompanies this decision. But there is also exhilaration and the feeling of empowerment, simply by making this decision to TRY! For mountain climbers, it is the decision to tackle the mountain; for the recently wounded warrior, it is the decision to get better and become active again in life. The military has a good way of framing it: when a newly wounded arrives, he or she is told, “Your next orders are to get well!” When you have set goals and you are moving forward, you are focusing on what you CAN do, not what you cannot do. This focus on the positive is so important to eventual success. I call it hope. You will need the assistance of trainers and therapists to inform and help set and achieve training goals. Once goals are set, carefully analyze all of the steps needed to ensure that your efforts will be a success. Next is implementing the plan. This is the “make or break” step where focus, tenacity, commitment and patience are critical characteristics to success. For the mountain climber, it is to start training to enable him to eventually climb into the atmosphere on steep and challenging slopes, with 45-degree angles, loose, rocky “scree,” deep snow, hurricane-force winds, and enduring 12-18 hours of continual climbing. This involves strengthening the entire body, building endurance, and learning technical skills. In rehabilitation, it is committing to daily workouts in the therapy room, the fitness gym, the pool, track, or bike path. Slowly building strength and endurance and learning sports skills that will lead to a full and active life. This part is also the stage where failure happens more often than we would like to see. Why? Because sometimes the challenge just seems so overwhelming. When I stood at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro, the sheer distance and magnitude of the mountain was frightening. It seemed impossible that I/we could get all the way to the top of the highest mountain in Africa in only five or six days. At that moment, I had to decide not to be intimidated and had to take the first step. Taking that first step is so important because you can then focus on taking the second and the third, realizing that the way to conquer a seemingly impossible challenge is to take it one step at a time. Each time a small goal is achieved, celebrate, rest and reflect on the accomplishment as a way to recharge the spirit and body to continue progressing. The secret to success here is to be patient, committed and be willing to take small steps on the road to recovery. It is also important to celebrate those little successes to mark the progress made, and not get caught up on the long distance yet to go to accomplish the ultimate goal. By taking thousands of small steps, you will eventually reach the goal of the summit and successful rehabilitation. So if individuals with disabilities can take the same approach to rehab as we do to mountain climbing, they will reach the top of their mountain and experience the joy and exhilaration of living a life full of activity, fun, and personal fulfillment with family and friends. Kirk Bauer, JD Executive Director, Disabled Sports USA, Inc. I hope you will remember Disabled Sports USA in your 2014 giving plans. You can donate online at www.disabledsportsusa.org. For federal workers, Combined Federal Campaign #10151. What the Mountains Taught Me About rehabilitation and goals pERspECtivE 6 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | summer 2014 KiRK M. bAUER, JD executive director, dsusa photo by Ray Persinger ARIEL CORPORATION WORLD STANDARD COMPRESSORS Platinum Sponso rs Diamond Sponso rs DiSABl ED SpO rTS USA iS A pr OUD ME MBEr Of THE U.S. Ol YMpic c OMMiTT EE DiSABl ED SpO rTS USA THANk S iTS cO rpOrAT E AND cOMMU NiTY Sp ONSOrS fOr TH Eir SUp pOrT! summer 2014 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | 7 8 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | summer 2014 Advocator Group AES Global Insurance AM General Anthem Life Aon Benfield Battelle Science & Technology International Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center Breckenridge Ski and Sports Cooley LLP Cushman Wakefield / Bruce Mosler D’Amato & Lynch, LLP DLA Piper Franklin Templeton Investments Greenburg Traurig Guy Carpenter & Company LLC The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund JLT Towers Re Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP Lewis Brisbois, Bisgaard & Smith, LLP The Moore Charitable Foundation Munich Re Nelson Levine de Luca & Hamilton, LLC Norton Rose Fulbright O’Melveny & Myers LLP Partners and Simons Phoenix Beverages Robert Trent Jones Golf Club Foundation Salesforce.com Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom Swiss Re America Holding Corporation Trijicon United Refining Company U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP Foundation Wilbros U.S.A., Inc. Gold Spo nsors Silver Sp onsors May & Stanley Smith charitable Trust Dumbarton Strategies Trophy Trust FOUNDAT I ON 800.728.7950 I www.college-park.com I D E N T I F Y a mechanical engineer passionate cyclist cancer survivor devoted husband watchful father goal driven persuing my dreams. I AM COLLEGE PARK. www.college-park.com/velocity 10 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | summer 2014 Disabled Sports USA extends a warm welcome to these new members of our community. Athens Inclusive Recreation and Sports, Inc. (AIRS), Athens, Ga. airs-ga.org AIRS was formed and is led by community volunteers. The organization provides recreation and sports programming to promote greater wellness and quality of life for its participants and their communities. It is inclusive of all individuals and all abilities, regardless of limitations, with the goal of expanding understanding and recognition through adapted activities. Roger Keeney is the AIRS Director. Adaptive Martial Arts Association, Inc. (AMAA), Pittsford, Vt. adaptivemartialarts.org Adaptive Martial Arts Association (AMAA) assists and supports Martial Arts Schools to create opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in an activity that will increase their power and strength – both physically and mentally. Kathy Maxey-Scarcello is the AMAA Executive Director. iN bRiEF | highlight reel DSUSA Welcomes New chapters Creating momentum for the inclusion of all in interscholastic high school athletics is kick-started by the Athletics for All Task Force, a group of representatives from 14 key disability sports organizations, including Disabled Sports USA, Wheelchair & Ambulatory Sports USA, United States Association of Blind Athletes, American Association of Adaptive Sports Programs, AASP, Bridge II Sports, state association representatives, and others. The vision of the task force is that high school students with disabilities will have access to athletic opportunities in an equal manner as students without disabilities and to participate in competitive sports alongside other students. The Athletics for All Task Force was established in response to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights’ “Advisory Letter” encouraging the expansion of extracurricular school sports for students with disabilities. The task force is committed to developing sport-specific training handbooks, posters and videos that address training and equipment modifications, competition and rules modifications, safety, classification, frequently asked questions, and resource guides. The tools will provide easy- to-understand guidance to empower coaches, teachers, parents and others to include high school students with physical disabilities in sports. The initial high school sports to be included in these documents are track and field, swimming, alpine skiing, tennis, boccia, wheelchair basketball, goal ball, and sitting volleyball. In addition, guidelines are being developed on how local adaptive sport programs and schools can work together to provide extracurricular sport opportunities for student athletes with disabilities. Task force creating Best practices for inclusion in Sports The Council for Disability Awareness announced it has appointed Carol A. Harnett as president. Harnett also serves on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of Disabled Sports USA, and actively participates in DSUSA’s Warfighter Sports program. She is a widely respected consultant, speaker, writer and trend spotter in the fields of employee benefits, absence and disability management, and health and performance innovation. Harnett began her career as a clinical physiologist and has first-hand experience in training a range of people from elite athletes to pregnant women to injured workers. She will lead CDA’s dedicated effort to raise consumers’ awareness of the risks and consequences of experiencing an income-interrupting illness or injury. As CDA’s President, Harnett will continue to expand the organization’s positive impact on employees, human resource professionals, insurance agents, brokers, benefit consultants and financial planners. carol A. Harnett Named president of council for Disability Awareness Kirk Bauer, JD, executive director of Disabled Sports USA, right, and William Botten, accessibility specialist with the United States Access Board, left, were guest speakers at the recreational workshop the Virgin Islands University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities held at the University of the Virgin Islands on St. Croix. Led by Charles Beady Jr., University of the Virgin Islands on St. Croix associate director, center, the workshop provided attendees with information about adaptive sports for people with disabilities as well as how to make sports facilities accessible for everybody. Correction: In the last issue of Challenge, a photo credit was inadvertently omitted. The image on page 23 of the Paralympians with President Obama should be credited to Mpower Sports. summer 2014 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | 11 starting lineup | iN bRiEF Wheelchair Tennis Tournament Has record Turnout The Wheelchair Sports Federation and United States Tennis Association hosted the 14th Annual Jana Hunsaker Memorial Wheelchair Tennis Tournament June 5-8 in Queens, N.Y. Winning their divisions: • Men’s A Singles, Russell Rodriguez (Nashville, Tenn.) • Women’s Open Singles, Dana Mathewson (San Diego) • Men’s B Singles, Victor Vaughn (Nashville, Tenn.) • Men’s C, D, Open, and Open Singles-second draw – Sunil Patel (Tallahassee, Fla.), Kei Usami (Darien, Conn.), Thomas Vinatier (Nantes, France), and Michael Foulkes (Petaluma, Calif.), respectively • Quad Open Singles, Bryan Barten (Tucson, Ariz.) • Men’s A Doubles, Atif Moon (Rancho Palos Verdes)/ Russell Rodriguez • Men’s B, C, and D Doubles – Wayne Bennet (Denver)/ Ricardo Corral (East Elmhurst, N.Y.), Nathan Melnyk (Centerport, N.Y.)/Jose Mendez (Brentwood, N.Y.), and Johnny Tejada (Flushing, N.Y.)/Kei Usami • Men’s Open Doubles, Phillipe Bedard (Quebec City)/Joel Dembe (Toronto) • Quad Open Doubles, Gary Luker (Ancaster, Ontario)/ Robert Shaw (North Bay, Ontario) • Women’s Open Doubles, Karolina Lingyte (Northport, Ala.)/ Dana Mathewson Photos courtesy of Carter Farmer. For more information and photos, visit www.WheelchairSportsFederation.org. farmer, Whitmore Win ESpYs Sports, teams and athletes were all celebrated at the 2014 ESPY Awards July 16 at the Los Angeles’ Nokia Theatre. Winners in the category of Best Male Athlete with a Disability and Best Female Athlete with a Disability were Declan Farmer, sled hockey, and Jamie Whitmore, paracycling. Farmer, 16, was a member of the gold medal team at the 2014 Sochi Paralympic Winter Games. He also was voted as the IPC’s Best Male Athlete of the Sochi Paralympic Games. Whitmore won gold medals in the time trial and pursuit events with world-record times at the 2014 UCI Paracycling Track World Championships. On the road, she took first place in the road race 2014 UCI World Cup in Italy. In 2013, she was undefeated in both the Road World Cup series and the UCI Paracycling Road World Championships. Other nominees in the Best Male Athlete with a Disability category were Mark Bathum, alpine skiing; Raymond Martin, wheelchair racing; Mike Shea, snowboarding; and Evan Strong, snowboarding. Whitmore was one of five women in the “Best Female Athlete with a Disability” category, joining Minda Dentler, triathlete; Oksana Masters, Nordic sit-skier; Tatyana McFadden, wheelchair racer; and Laurie Stephens, alpine mono-skier. Left: Patrick Donaghey reaches for the ball at the 14th Annual Jana Hunsaker Wheelchair Tennis Tournament. Top-Right: Russell Rodriguez (left) and Cristobal Rivera (right) pose with their awards and tournament volunteers. Right: Dana Mathewson (right) and Marianne Page (left) pose with their awards and tournament volunteers. PERFORMANCE n QUALITY n RELIABILITY Toll Free: 800.279.1865 on The Web: www.trsprosthetics.com n www.oandp.com/trs Better FLOO SEE YOU ON THE LOOKING FOR A S GIVE YOU A CAR CHALLENGE YO THINKING, AND EN ON A TEAM, ALL W FUN? THEN SITTIN DISCIPLINE OF VO PERFECT 12 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | summer 2014 Like many adaptive sports, sitting volleyball can be played with able-bodied friends and relatives who follow the sitting volleyball rules. The object of the game is the same as standing volleyball – hit the ball over the net and land it in the opposing team’s half of the court. Teams have up to three contacts with the ball before it must go over the net. WHERE CAN i pLAY? Anywhere! All you need is a suitable low net or a rope over two chairs, (don’t worry about it being regulation when you are just learning to play). You can easily alter the size of the court and number of players on each team at a recreational level to allow as many people to enjoy the game as possible. WHAt is DiFFERENt bEsiDEs sittiNG? Body Position: The position of each player is determined and controlled by the position of their bottoms. This means that the hand(s) and/or leg(s) may cross the service, attack, and center lines, provided they do not interfere with an opposing player. A player’s ‘bottom’ is defined as the upper part of the body, from the shoulder to one’s buttocks. Players are not allowed to lift his/her bottom from the court when executing any type of attack-hit. Additionally, it is forbidden to stand up, raise the body or take steps to play a ball. A back-row player may perform any type of attack-hit from any height, if at the time of the hit the bottom does not touch or cross over to the attack line. The player must have contact with the court with some part of the upper part of the body at all times when playing the ball, except when making a low defensive play. In such defensive play, a brief loss of contact with the court is permitted. The referee’s official hand signal of ‘lifting from the court’ is raising the upper hand and forearm positioned parallel to the floor and mirror imaging the lower hand and forearm. Serve: Unlike standing volleyball, it is permitted to block or attack an opponent’s serve. Net: The net is reduced in size to be 80cm in height. In regulation play for men, the net is raised to 1.15m (approximately 3 ft., 9.28 in.) and for women, 1.05m (approximately 3 ft., 5.34 in.). Court size: 10 x 6 meters (approximately 32 ft., 9.7 in. x 19 ft., 8.22 in.) with a two-meter attack line (approximately 6 ft., 6.73 in.). To download the current World ParaVolley Sitting Volleyball Rulebook, just visit http://www.volleyslide.net/download/i/ mark_dl/u/4011973273/4598298266/Sitting%20Volleyball%20 Rules%202013-2016%20-Final.pdf tHE bAsiCs OF pLAY As with any sport, practice will help you play the game better. The ready position: (The flexed, yet comfortable posture a player assumes before moving to contact the ball.) Legs in front, slightly bent. Arms should be down with hands on the floor ready to push in all directions. Be alert and ready to move in any direction due to the quick pace of the game. Serving: (Putting the ball into play.) When serving, pull back the hitting arm. In the non-serving hand, raise the ball to shoulder height with the arm in front of the body and toss the ball gently, one to two feet above the head. Swing through the ball to the intended target. Spiking/attacking: (Smashing the ball into the opponents’ court using an overhead motion.) When spiking or attacking the ball, start with your body four to five feet away from the net. Move toward the ball by using arms and pushing or pulling with the lower body. Pull back the hitting arm, swing forward quickly, and reach as high as you can, rotating your shoulders. Overhead passing/setting: (Directing the ball to a point where a player can spike it into the opponents’ court.) Open your hands and spread fingers into a ball-shaped cup above the forehead, allow the wrists and hands to be loose, make a triangle with the thumbs and pointer fingers, flick the wrists, and extend the arms to push the ball to the target. Forearm passing/digging: (A defensive shot passing an attacked ball close to the floor.) Place your thumbs together and even in height. Point thumbs downwards and keep elbows locked out to create a platform with your forearms. OR SPORT THAT WILL RDIO WORKOUT, OUR STRATEGIC NABLE YOU TO BE WHILE JUST HAVING NG VOLLEYBALL, A OLLEYBALL, MAY BE FOR YOU. summer 2014 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | 13 Position the platform to create an angle that allows the ball to rebound toward the target. Blocking: (Defensive play by one or more players to deflect a spiked ball back to the hitter’s court.) Start with hands down, ready to move side-to- side as quickly as possible. Once into position, raise your arms with hands open wide and fingers spread apart to cover the most surface area. Extend your arms across the net without touching it and flick your wrists toward the middle of the court. HOW is sCORiNG DONE? Matches are played over a best of five sets format with each set won by the first team to reach 25 points with a two-point lead in the first four sets, and by the first team to reach 15 points with a two-point lead in a decisive fifth set. A match is won by the team that wins three sets. Each team is allowed up to three hits to return the ball. A team scores a point by successfully grounding the ball on the opponents’ playing court; when the opponent team commits a fault; or when the opponent team receives a penalty. (A team commits a fault by making a play contrary to the rules.) At the moment of contacting the ball, a player’s bottom must be in contact with the floor. If not in contact when the ball is touched (except on a low-defensive play), the team will lose the rally. bEGiNNiNGs Sitting volleyball first began in the Netherlands in the 1950s as a combination of volleyball and a German game called sitzbal, which was played without nets. It significantly increased in popularity during the 1960s and today is played in more than 50 countries. Sitting volleyball made its debut as a Paralympic sport at the Arnhem, Netherlands, 1980 Games. The Athens Games in 2004 introduced the first Paralympic competition for women’s sitting volleyball; the U.S. came away with the bronze medal. At the London 2012 Paralympic Games, there were 198 athletes competing in the sport. The U.S. Women’s Team repeated in capturing the silver medal just as they had done at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. GOvERNiNG bODY Sitting volleyball is governed by World ParaVolley, which produces all of the rules and regulations for the sport. WHO QUALiFiEs FOR pARALYMpiC vOLLEYbALL? Paralympic sitting volleyball can be played by amputees and people with other types of locomotor disabilities with permanent injuries to the knees, hips, ankles, elbows, wrists and les autres (cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury and polio or any major muscle loss that prevents the player from playing stand- up volleyball). Two players on each team may have a minimal impairment, which means their impairment may appear minimal but it prevents them from competing in the nondisabled version of the sport. These injuries include anterior cruciate ligament damage and missing fingers. pROstHEtiCs/ ADAptivE EQUipMENt • It is not recommended you wear your prosthetic leg when playing sitting volleyball as it could limit one’s speed and movement abilities during play. Additionally, if an athlete or teammate falls on it, it could cause injury to them or damage the prosthesis. • Users of a prosthetic arm can use it to pass, serve, and block. • The Striker is a chair to provide support to those with spinal cord injuries. Triangle Volleyball Club, along with DSUSA Chapter Bridge II Sports, submitted a project proposal to Duke University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering to design, produce, and put into service a chair to assist with support and movement on the floor for those with spinal cord injury. The Striker was unveiled in December 2012; a patent application and mass production work are currently underway. WHERE CAN i FiND MORE iNFORMAtiON? Bridge II Sports: North Carolina, bridge2sports.org International Paralympics Committee: paralympic.org/sitting- volleyball NCHPAD (National Center on Health, Physical Activity and Disability): nchpad.org/1073/5477/Sitting-Volleyball- A-Skill-Enhancing-and-Physically- Demanding-Activity Sitting Volleyball in the United States: sittingvolleyball.org UCO – University of Central Oklahoma: uco.edu/wellness/sr/ trainingsite/ts%20sitvolleyball.asp USA Volleyball – Team USA: teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Sports/ Sitting-Volleyball World Organization of Volleyball for the Disabled: wovd.info American Volleyball Coaches Association: avca.org All of the above were used as resources for this article. 14 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | summer 2014 Endeavor Games The annual University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) Endeavor Games, the largest multi-sport, multi- disability sporting event in the United States, celebrated its 15th year June 5-8 in Edmond, Okla. Competitions included archery (indoor/outdoor), cycling, powerlifting, wheelchair basketball 3-on-3 (adult/ junior), sitting volleyball, shooting, table tennis, track and field, swimming, paracanoe and paratriathlon. This year, the UCO Endeavor Games offered indoor archery and track and field clinics to athletes ages 12 and under and a paratriathlon transitions clinic for all ages. U.S. Paralympics featured its “Gateway to Gold Talent ID,” which offers cycling, powerlifting, sitting volleyball and track and field to athletes ages 13 and up. The UCO Endeavor Games has grown since its inaugural year in 2000 and has become a nationally and internationally recognized event with athletes from outside of the United States making the trek to compete. Athletes have been represented from over 40 different states and the countries of Brazil, Canada, Puerto Rico, Turkey and the United Kingdom. UCO is an official U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Site and is the host training site for Men’s and Women’s Sitting Volleyball. Athletes can train for Olympic volleyball and any Paralympic sport at the university. Currently, Central hosts resident athletes in the Paralympic sports of sitting volleyball, archery, track and field, powerlifting and the Olympic sport of taekwondo. The UCO Endeavor Games is endorsed and sanctioned by U.S. Paralympics, Disabled Sports USA and Wheelchair Sports USA. 15th Annual Photos courtesy of Randy Richardson/Hanger Clinic16 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | summer 2014 Save the Date for the NatioN’S Premier aDaPtive WiNter SPortS eveNt Experience all five Paralympic Winter Sports: Skiing, Snowboarding, Sled Hockey, Nordic/Biathlon and Wheelchair Curling EVENT DETAILS: Check-In: Monday, December 1 Programs: Tuesday-Saturday, December 2-6 Departures: Sunday, December 7 ProGramS iNCLUDe: Ski and Snowboard Lessons: $35/half day lesson Professional Ski Instructors of America / American Association of Snowboard Instructors National Adaptive Academy: Continuing Education Clinics: $35/half day clinic Ski and Snowboard National Race Festival: $300 for full week ($550 with lift ticket) Sled Hockey, Nordic, Biathlon and Wheelchair Curling Lessons: Free Adaptive Equipment Demonstrations Visit www.skispec.org for more information. Registration Opens in September. DsUsA | chapter listing Alabama Lakeshore Foundation Birmingham, AL 35209 lakeshore.org info@lakeshore.org 205-313-7400 Alaska Alpine Alternatives, Inc. Anchorage, AK 99507 alpinealternatives.org alpinealternatives@arctic.net 907-561-6655 Challenge Alaska Anchorage, AK 99501 challengealaska.org info@challengealaska.org 907-344-7399 Southeast Alaska Independent Living Juneau, AK 99801 sailinc.org info@sailinc.org/ orcarecreation-services 907-586-4920 Arizona Arizona Disabled Sports Mesa, AZ 85210 arizonadisabledsports.com lane@arizonadisabledsports.com 480-835-6273 california Adaptive Athletics Association Mountain Center, CA 92201 adaptiveathletics.org aaa@adaptiveathletics.org 213-925-8638 Adaptive Sports and Recreation Association San Diego, CA 92195 adaptivesportsandrec.org info@adaptivesportsandrec.org 619-336-1806 Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP) Berkeley, CA 94703 borp.org rick@borp.org 510-849-4663 Disabled Sports USA Eastern Sierra Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 disabledsportseasternsierra.org info@ disabledsportseasternsierra.org 760-934-0791 Disabled Sports USA Far West Citrus Heights, CA 96162 dsusafw.org dsusa@disabledsports.net 530-581-4161 Disabled Sports USA Los Angeles - The Unrecables Los Angeles, CA 90024 unrecables.com info@unrecables.org Disabled Sports USA Orange County - The Achievers Fullerton, CA 92838 theachievers.org dsoc.trips@gmail.com 949-460-6969 Discovery Blind Sports Kirkwood, CA 95646 discoveryblindsports.org 775-677-3141 Shasta Disabled Sports USA Mount Shasta, CA 96067 shastadsusa.org info@shastadsusa.org 530-925-1531 US Adaptive Recreation Center Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 usarc.org peircet@usarc.org 909-584-0269 colorado Adaptive Action Sports Copper, CO adacs.org info@adacs.org Adaptive Adventures Boulder, CO 80301 adaptiveadventures.org info@adaptiveadventures.org 303-396-1339 Adaptive Sports Association Durango, CO 81301 asadurango.org info@asadurango.org 970-259-0374 Adaptive Sports Center of Crested Butte Crested Butte, CO 81224 adaptivesports.org info@adaptivesports.org 970-349-2296 Aspen Camp of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing Aspen, CO 81654 aspencamp.org info@aspencamp.org 970-923-2511 Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center Breckenridge, CO boec.org boec@boec.org 970-453-6422 Challenge Aspen Snowmass Village, CO 81615 challengeaspen.org possibilities@ challengeaspen.org 970-923-0578 Colorado Discover Ability Grand Junction, CO 81502 coloradodiscoverability.org ron@coloradodiscoverability.org 970-257-1222 Foresight Ski Guides, Inc. Vail, CO 80218 foresightskiguides.org info@foresightskiguides.org Golf 4 The Disabled Englewood, CO golf4thedisabled.org frankmartorella47@gmail.com 303-221-1184 Ignite Adaptive Sports Boulder, CO 80308 igniteadaptivesports.org scheduler@ igniteadaptivesports.org 303-506-6738 National Sports Center for the Disabled Denver, CO 80204 nscd.org info@nscd.org 303-316-1518 Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports Steamboat Springs, CO 80477 steamboatstars.com info@steamboatstars.com 970-870-1950 Telluride Adaptive Sports Telluride, CO 81435 tellurideadaptivesports.org director@ tellurideadaptivesports.org 970-728-5010 US Handcycling Evergreen, CO 80437 ushf.org ahortman@romega.us 720-239-1360 Visually Impaired & Blind Skiers Colorado Springs, CO 80923 coloradovibes.org 719-337-0161 connecticut Leaps of Faith Disabled Waterskiers Club Sandy Hook, CT 06482 leapsoffaithwaterskiers.com joel@leapsoffaithwaterskiers.com 203-426-0666 Sports Association of Gaylord Hospital Wallingford, CT 06492 gaylord.org/Home/ WhyGaylord/ SportAssociation.aspx sports@gaylord.org 866-429-5673 florida Florida Disabled Outdoors Association Tallahassee, FL 32301 fdoa.org info@fdoa.org 850-201-2944 georgia Athens Inclusive Recreation and Sports, Inc. (AIRS) Athens, GA 30605 airs-ga.org rgkeeney@gmail.com 703-353-7463 idaho Adaptive Wilderness Sports of McCall (AWeSOMe!) McCall, ID 83638 awesomeidaho.org contact@awesomeidaho.org 208-315-4275 Higher Ground Sun Valley Ketchum, ID 83340 highergroundsv.org info@highergroundsv.org 208-726-9298 Recreation Unlimited, Inc. Boise, ID 83706 recreation-unlimited.org Robert@recreation- unlimited.org 208-345-6262 illinois Adaptive Adventures Wilmette, IL 60091 adaptiveadventures.org joel@adaptiveadventures.org 847-251-8445 Dare2Tri Chicago, IL 60622 dare2tri.org info@dare2tri.org Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA) Lake Forest, IL 60045 glasa.org info@glasa.org 847-283-0908 indiana Special Outdoor Leisure Opportunities South Bend, IN 46660 skisolomichiana.org paul.raven@fiserv.com 269-244-8016 Turnstone Center for Disabled Children and Adults, Inc. Fort Wayne, IN 46805 turnstone.org tina@turnstone.org 260-483-2100 kansas Wheelchair Sports, Inc. Wichita, KS 67203 wcsports.org james_watson@wcsports.org Maine Central Maine Adaptive Sports Auburn, ME 04210 cmasports.org info@lostvalleyski.com 207-784-1561 Maine Adaptive Sports & Recreation Newry, ME 04261 maineadaptive.org info@maineadaptive.org 207-824-2440 Maryland Baltimore Adapted Recreation and Sports Sparks, MD 21152 barsinfo.org pam4bars@aol.com 478-227-7386 Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating Annapolis, MD 21409 crabsailing.org seue@crabsailing.org 410-626-0273 Soldiers Undertaking Adaptive SCUBA (SUDS) Bethesda, MD 20810 sudsdiving.org sudsdiving@gmail.com 202-341-9750 Team River Runner, Inc. Rockville, MD 20853 teamriverrunner.org joebuck@teamriverrunner.org 703-532-6070 Massachusetts AccesSport America Acton, MA 01720 accessportamerica.org ross@accessportamerica.org 978-264-0985 CAPEable Adventures, Inc. Sandwich, MA 02563 capeableadventures.org cmbautz@ capeableadventures.org 508-566-3298 Michigan Cannonsburg Challenged Ski Association Ada, MI 49301 skiccsa.org info@skiccsa.org 616-847-3060 Michigan Adaptive Sports West Bloomfield, MI 48323 michiganadaptivesports.org michiganadaptivesports@ gmail.com Minnesota Courage Kenny Sports and Recreation Minneapolis, MN 55408 couragecenter.org sportsrec@couragecenter.org 763-588-0811 US Electric Wheelchair Hockey Association Minneapolis, MN 55427 powerhockey.com craigm@powerhockey.com 763-535-4736 Missouri Disabled Athlete Sports Association St. Peters, MO 63376 dasasports.org kellyb@dasasports.org 636-477-0716 18 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | summer 2014 Montana DREAM Adaptive Recreation, Inc. Whitefish, MT 59937 dreamadaptive.org dreamadaptive@yahoo.com 406-862-1817 Eagle Mount Billings Billings, MT 59101 eaglemount.us info@eaglemount.us 406-969-2949 Eagle Mount Bozeman Bozeman, MT 59715 eaglemount.org eaglemount@eaglemount.org 406-586-1781 Eagle Mount Great Falls Great Falls, MT 59403 eaglemount.net eagle_mountgf@ eaglemount.net 406-454-1780 New Hampshire AbilityPLUS, Inc. Jackson, NH 03846 abilityplus.org info@abilityplus.org 800-287-8415 x104 Granite State Adaptive Mirror Lake, NH 03853 gsadaptivesports.org granitestateadaptive@gmail.com 603-387-1167 Lakes Region Disabled Sports at Gunstock Gilford, NH 03247 gunstockadaptive.org aski@lrdisabledsports.org 603-737-4365 New England Disabled Sports Lincoln, NH 03251 nedisabledsports.org info@nedisabledsports.org 603-745-9333 New England Handicapped Sports Association Mount Sunapee Resort, NH 03255 nehsa.org info@nehsa.org 603-763-9158 Northeast Passage Durham, NH 03824 nepassage.org northeast.passage@unh.edu 603-862-0070 Waterville Valley Adaptive Sports Waterville Valley, NH 03215 watervilleadaptive.com info@watervilleadaptive.com 603-236-8311 New jersey US Adaptive Sailing Brick, NJ 08724 New Mexico Adaptive Ski Program Santa Fe, NM 87501 adaptiveski.org director@adaptiveski.org 505-995-9858 Challenge New Mexico Santa Fe, NM 87507 challengenewmexico.com ninjacowboy@excite.com 505-988-7621 Ski Apache Adaptive Sports Ruidoso, NM 88355 skiapacheadaptivesports.com saadaptive@gmail.com 575-464-3193 New York Adaptive Sports Foundation Windham, NY 12496 adaptivesportsfoundation.org info@ adaptivesportsfoundation.org 518-734-5070 Adaptive Sports Program – Helen Hayes Hospital West Haverstraw, NY 10993 helenhayeshospital.org/ tag/adapted-sports-and- recreation castellucciom@ helenhayeshosp.org 845-947-3187 ASPIRE Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 Cape Ability Outrigger Ohana, Inc. West Henrietta, NY 14486 adaptivecanoeing.org Greek Peak Adaptive Snowsports Vestal, NY 13850 gpadaptive.org jmcappellett@yahoo.com 607-785-8101 Lounsbury Adaptive Ski Program Ellicottville, NY 14731 lounsburyadaptive.org ski@lounsburyadaptive.org 716-699-3504 STRIDE, Inc. Rensselaer, NY 12144 stride.org info@stride.org 518-598-1279 Western New York Adaptive Water Sports Grand Island, NY 14072 wnyadaptivewatersports.org info@ wnyadaptivewatersports.org 716-553-7670 North carolina Bridge II Sports Durham, NC 27705 bridge2sports.org Ashley@bridge2sports.org 866-880-2742 Ohio Adaptive Adventure Sports Coalition (TAASC) Powell, OH 43065 taasc.org info@taasc.org 614-389-3921 Three Trackers of Ohio Middleburg Heights, OH 44130 3trackers.org md1053@aol.com 216-229-0291 Oklahoma UCO Sports & Events Edmond, OK 73034 uco.edu/wellness/sr/ endeavor/index.asp kshaklee1@uco.edu Oregon Happy Trails Riding Center West Linn, OR 97068 happytrailsridingcenter.org happytrailsridingcenter@ yahoo.com 503-351-0134 Oregon Adaptive Sports Bend, OR 97701 oregonadaptivesports.org info@oregonadaptivesports. org 541-306-4774 Oregon Disability Sports Portland, OR 97227 oregondisabilitysports.net trisha@ oregondisabilitysports.net 503-241-0850 pennsylvania Blue Ridge Adaptive Snow Sports (BRASS) Carroll Valley, PA 17320 brasski.org info@brasski.org 717-642-8282 HOPE Network Pittsburgh, PA 15238 hopenetwork-pa.org hsports@city-net.com 412-826-2703 Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports Philadelphia, PA 19130 centeronline.com contact.us@centeronline.com 215-765-5118 Three Rivers Adaptive Sports Pittsburgh, PA 15238 traspa.org 412-848-8896 Two Top Mountain Adaptive Sports Foundation Mercersburg, PA 17236 twotopadaptive.org bill@twotopadaptive.org 717-507-7668 rhode island Access2Adventure Tiverton, RI 02878 info@access2adventure.net South Dakota Black Hills Regional Ski for Light, Inc. Rapid City, SD 57709 bhsfl.org bhskiforlight@gmail.com 605-341-3626 Tennessee Sports, Arts & Recreation of Chattanooga (SPARC) Chattanooga, TN 37343 Texas Operation Comfort San Antonio, TX 78209 operationcomfort.org info@operationcomfort.com 210-826-0500 Utah Common Ground Outdoor Adventures Logan, UT 84321 cgadventures.org cg@cgadventures.org 435-713-0288 National Ability Center Park City, UT 84060 discovernac.org info@discovernac.org 435-649-3991 vermont AbilityPLUS, Inc. Mt Snow, VT 05356 abilityplus.org info@abilityplus.org 800-287-8415 x103 Adaptive Martial Arts Association, Inc. (AMAA) Pittsford, VT 05763 adaptivemartialarts.org contact@adaptivemartialarts.org 802-744-8184 Bart J. Ruggiere Adaptive Sports Center Manchester Center, VT 05255 bartcenter.com bartcenter@comcast.net 802-824-5522 Friends of Stowe Adaptive Sports Hyde Park, VT 05655 stoweadaptive.org info@stoweadaptive.org 802-279-1079 Northeast Disabled Athletic Association Burlington, VT 05408 disabledathletics.org contactndaa@ disabledathletics.org 802-862-6322 Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports Association Killington, VT 05701 vermontadaptive.org director@vermontadaptive.org 802-786-4991 virginia Adventure Amputee Camp Winchester, VA 22602 adventureamputeecamp.org adventureamputeecamp@ gmail.com Sportable Richmond, VA 23220 sportable.org klessig@sportable.org 804-340-2991 Wintergreen Adaptive Sports Wintergreen, VA 22958 wintergreenadaptivesports.org executivedirector.was@ gmail.com 434-325-2007 Washington Footloose Sailing Association Seattle, WA 98122 footloosedisabledsailing.org footloosedisabledsailing. org/contact-us 206-382-2680 Outdoors for All Foundation Seattle, WA 98115 outdoorsforall.org info@outdoorsforall.org 206-838-6035 Washington, D.c. DC Fire Fighters Burn Foundation Washington, DC 20017 dcffburnfoundation.org Jason@dcffburnfoundation.org 202-528-3898 West virginia Challenged Athletes of West Virginia Snowshoe, WV 26209 cawvsports.org dbegg@snowshoemountain. com 304-572-6708 Wisconsin Southeastern Wisconsin Adaptive Ski Program Cedarburg, WI 53012 sewasp.org info@sewasp.org 414-226-8375 Wyoming Teton Adaptive Sports, Inc. Jackson, WY 83001 tetonadaptivesports.com info@adaptivesports.com 307-699-3554 summer 2014 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | 19 Warfighter Sports golf programs continue growth The year 2014 continues a trend of upward growth for the Warfighter Sports-supported golf programs hosted at Olney, Md., Fort Sam Houston, Tx., and Fort Belvoir, Va. Since 2003 more than 1,500 wounded warfighters, family and support staff have participated in Disabled Sports USA- sponsored golf programs, with the Fort Belvoir Wounded Warrior Golf Program nearly tripling its participation over the past three years. The learn-to clinics teach golf skills in a progressive manner, with each clinic in the eight week series focusing on a separate aspect of the game of golf. This model allows golfers to grow their skills week after week with a culmination of on-course play to test out the skills they’ve learned. “I find the challenge of golf combined with the peace and serenity of the game to be the perfect balance for me and my challenges,” said Destrey Groom, a retired Army Specialist and participant in the Fort Belvoir Wounded Warrior Golf Program. As with all Warfighter Sports programs, the Saturday golf clinics are provided free of charge to include instruction and equipment. Family members are encouraged to partake in the instruction to help promote participation long after the eight- week sessions conclude. DsUsA | warfighter sports Bob Woodruff foundation and Warfighter Sports launch Helmets4Heroes Disabled Sports USA and the Bob Woodruff Foundation, an organization founded by traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivor and ABC News correspondent Bob Woodruff, have joined forces this year to ensure wounded warriors interested in participating in sports in their community adaptive sports organizations have access to the safest and highest quality head protection available. Through the recently established Helmets4Heroes initiative, we are committed to providing hundreds of sports helmets and other types of safety equipment to dozens of Disabled Sports USA chapters and other adaptive sports programs that serve wounded warriors. According to the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, more than 30,000 service members have sustained a moderate to severe traumatic brain injury since the year 2000, making the latest safety gear of vital importance. When including mild cases of TBI, the number rises to more than 300,000. Helmets4Heroes will help organizations and community-based chapters of Disabled Sports USA that serve veterans in the sports of skiing, snowboarding, ice hockey, kayaking, white-water rafting, cycling, equestrian, rock climbing and water-skiing update and increase their inventories of high-end protection equipment and provide helmets and other equipment. Last year, through a network of over 100 DSUSA adaptive sports organizations around the country, more than 1,500 of the most severely wounded warriors were provided opportunities to participate in more than 30 different sports through Disabled Sports USA’s Warfighter Sports program. All sports rehabilitation provided through Warfighter Sports is free to wounded warriors and family, including individualized adaptive sports instruction, adaptive sports equipment, travel, lodging, event fees, meals and accessible facilities and transportation. Golf clinics will start again Aug. 16 in Olney and Fort Belvoir. Clinics start Oct. 7 at Fort Sam Houston. For more information, contact Karalyn Stott at kstott@dsusa.org. STEAMBOAT ADAPTIVE RECREATIONAL SPORTS STARS (Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports) has a unique approach to working with veterans in our STARS & Stripes Veterans Program. Our winter and summer camp series, known as STARS & Stripes Heroes Camps, offers recently wounded veterans as well as pre-9/11 veterans a healing experience in beautiful Steamboat Springs, Colo. In addition, STARS runs four raft trips, known as Warriors on Cataract, on the Colorado River through Canyonlands National Park to Lake Powell from mid-May to early June that offer camaraderie and excitement in a setting that is like no other. What makes our veterans program unique, besides the location and setting, are two key factors. First, it gives our recent veterans a chance to meet and talk with our older generations of injured veterans to see firsthand how they dealt with their injuries and PTSD in an era when there was not as much support for injured veterans returning home from war. And second, every veteran that comes through our program is invited back at any time during the year so that they can continue their healing process without having to wait several months for the next organized camp to come along. If they can get to Steamboat, we have lodging support from several local lodging companies and individuals, and STARS takes care of all other programming costs. Check us out at http://www.steamboatstars.com/index.php/summer-camps for more information. STArS & Stripes veterans program 20 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | summer 2014 Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra’s Wounded Warrior camp Hits New Heights Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra’s (DSES) Eighth Annual Summer Wounded Warrior Camp, Operation High Altitude, was a great success. In addition to the 27 participants (wounded warriors and their guests), 11 VIPs joined in, including Maj. Gen. Larry Nicholson and special guest Sgt. Maj. “Iron Mike” Mervosh. Mervosh, 90, retired USMC, is a decorated combat veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. “I wanted to re-enlist for Desert Storm, but they wouldn’t let me,” he quipped. Participants (including Iron Mike) all camped out under the stars and engaged in sports including cycling, fly-fishing, rock climbing and paddling. Paddlers were able to try out DSES’s new On-It Ability adaptive SUP (Stand-Up Paddleboard). The event wrapped up with a hootenanny. Music, cowboy poetry and barbeque were featured attractions. Sarah, a wounded warrior, summed up the week: “I paddleboarded, I fished, I rock climbed!” she enthused. “The whole week has been so positive!” Amy Hatcher, Family Support Coordinator with Wounded Warrior Battalion West, joined in. “It’s a really good opportunity for folks to reconnect with themselves and have a great time with others who understood their issues, but without the pressures of having to talk about those issues,” she noted. “Everyone accepted each other without questions and had time to be together, but also decompress. Campfire time was spent summing up each day and it was fun; they all became one cohesive group.” Mervosh, a long-time supporter of wounded warrior events, echoed those thoughts. “I’m pleased to be here with these fine men and women,” he said. “They’ve been through a lot and this kind of program is important for them. The camp is just terrific and they deserve it.” UPCOMING EVENTS: Through October: Summer Cycling Series. Wednesday group rides featuring a variety of distances, skills drills and time trial options. Nov. 6: Mammoth Mountain Ski Area Opening Day. Nov. 6 through December: Daily alpine ski, snowboard, cross-country ski and biathlon lessons available as terrain permits. Call for reservations. Dec. 13: Island Extravaganza! DSES island-themed fundraising dinner, silent auction and raffle. For more information, contact Maggie Palchak at mpalchak@ disabledsportseasternsierra.org. Team river runner All-inclusive Biathlon Team River Runner (TRR) is hosting its 10th Annual DC Biathlon, Sun., Oct. 5, in Washington, D.C. The race includes a one-mile kayak or stand-up paddleboard followed by a three-mile run or handcycle on the beautiful Georgetown waterfront. No kayak experience is necessary to participate. This event is designed to be inclusive for all types of abilities. Kayaks, paddles and personal flotation devices will be provided, as well as guides for the blind and support staff to ensure participants have a safe and fun experience. Questions about adaptive gear or the ability to be able to participate, or anything regarding this event can be directed to Megan Mornini, Megan@TeamRiverRunner.org or (301) 906-1084. For registration, visit TeamRiverRunner.org. This biathlon supports the TRR programs offering physical, mental and emotional rehabilitation of wounded and disabled veterans as well as active duty service members and their family members through paddlesports. warfighter sports - chapter news - far west | DsUsA warfighter sports - chapter news - mid-atlantic | DsUsA DEDICATED TO THE MILITARY THROUGH PADDLESPORTS summer 2014 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | 21 TEAM RIVER RUNNER Team River Runner (TRR) is teaching white-water kayaking skills to blind and visually-disabled veterans at its Outtasight Paddling and Leadership Clinics. These veterans with a visual disability are often guided, in solo kayaks, by sighted wounded and disabled veterans. This weeklong clinic develops paddling skills with the new paddlers, provides leadership opportunities for the guides and boosts confidence for both. Additionally, the clinic provides a venue for camaraderie, support and fellowship. Participants return to their home Chapters with both stronger skills and purpose to help other veterans or non-veterans with disabilities. The Outtasight Paddling and Leadership Clinic is held annually in the stunningly beautiful Paradise Valley in Montana. Past participants continue to paddle regularly upon returning home as part of a healthy and adventurous lifestyle. Al Avina, Executive Director of the BVA-Blind Veteran Association, frequently paddles on the Potomac River with TRR. Lonnie Bedwell, of Indiana, was the first blind paddler to successfully solo kayak the entire length of the Grand Canyon. He now paddles rivers all over the nation and teaches kayaking at the TRR Chapter he founded at Indiana State University. Many past Outtasight veteran guides and visually-impaired participants serve in leadership positions in their home Chapters. Building a national network of skilled blind paddlers, veteran guides, and guiding skill training has proven to be both effective and safe in many of TRR’s local Chapters. The Wake Foundation was the 2014 sponsor of the Montana Outtasight Clinic. Also supporting this year’s event with donated dinners and a fundraising event is the Rivers Edge Bar and Grill in Emigrant, Mont. Additionally, National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD), a chapter of DSUSA, gave tremendous logistical support for the wounded and disabled veterans participating in this year’s clinic. NSCD hosts our Denver TRR Chapter, an outstanding example of collaboration and sharing of both resources and program design. This year’s Montana Outtasight Clinic has five blind veterans and four war/wounded warrior veteran guides. Within a week, the participants are safely paddling up to Class III white water. The adventure and excitement of this accomplishment is a testament to the DSUSA motto - “If I can do this, I can do anything.” “Blind guided paddling” on all types of water is growing nationally. Participants often remark how freeing it is to be able to paddle themselves independently and safely. One of this year’s participants, Steve Baskis, remarked: “Paddling white water in my own kayak makes me feel less blind.” TRR is now building an Eastern Outtasight Program in Charlotte, N.C., to begin this fall. This event will be part of a new Chapter of TRR with a new “Blind and Visually-Disabled Paddling Center of Excellence.” Funding support from the Delta Gamma Sorority is kick starting this new Chapter’s programming. While TRR offers programming for all wounded and disabled veterans, and non-veterans with disabilities (often instructed by the veteran participants), our work with the blind and visually- disabled paddlers is extraordinary. Years of success and the historic accomplishment of Lonnie Bedwell in the Grand Canyon have pushed the boundaries of the possible. We hope the future will bring a growing interest for visually-impaired veterans and non-veterans to seek out our Chapters to come paddle on a pool, lake or the flat- water or white water of a river. It is healing to paddle away from the shoreline and into freedom, adventure and healing. Team River Runner is leading the way on the river to recovery. Outtasight and paddling On Virtual Archery ...and much more! Tap into over 80 apps on Android®, iPhone® or iPod® Touch. Have fun, burn calories, improve strength, posture and coordination. Order at bowblade.net DsUsA | warfighter sports - chapter to chapter 22 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | summer 2014 New Be part of an exciting school that is transforming the future of orthotics and prosthetics. 3 More than 50 clinical site partners including Shriners Children’s Hospital, the VA and Hanger Clinics 3 Individual fabrication benches and work stations 3 Cutting edge technology and CAD/CAM equipment 3 Sports motion and gait analysis systems 3 Dedicated clinical room with live patient models 3 Opportunities to earn additional credentials during program 3 Opportunities to travel and perform case studies with the Combat Wounded Veterans Challenge 3 A ordable tuition Experience innovation at St. Petersburg College: What’s New at SPC? This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the grantee and does not necessarily re ect the o cial position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The U.S. Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. Learn more spcollege.edu/op | 727-341-4151 J . E . H A N G E R C O L L E G E O F O R T H O T I C S A N D P R O S T H E T I C S 14-0496-07 Programs Include: • Certifi ed Mastectomy Fitter • Certifi ed Orthotic Fitter • Certifi ed Pedorthist • Orthotic and Prosthetic Technology Associate of Science • Orthotics and Prosthetics Bachelor of Applied Science • Master of Applied Science in Industrial Engineering with a specialization in Engineering Management of Orthotics and Prosthetics, through a partnership with Florida State University DsUsA | chapter news - southeast SportsAbility Ocala – Scuba to Martial Arts and More The 6th annual SportsAbility Ocala (Florida Disabled Outdoors Association) provides people of all ages and abilities, and their family and friends, hands-on activities with many recreation and leisure opportunities to improve overall wellness at no cost thanks to community support and sponsors such as Disabled Sports USA and Mobility Ventures LLC. SportsAbility Ocala, Fla., will be held Oct. 3-4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Fri., Oct. 3, features the Disability Resource Expo, horseback rides, scuba, bocce, golf, fishing simulator, basketball, arts and crafts, outdoor lawn games and more at the Ed Croskey Center in Ocala. Sat., Oct. 4, offers water activities including sit water-skiing, kayaking, and pontoon boat rides. Also, a nature trail ride, bocce, archery, and more will be available at Paynes Prairie (just outside Gainesville). To participate or become a sponsor, visit fdoa.org; info@fdoa.org; or (850) 201-2944. DsUsA | chapter news - pacific northwest Happy Trails riding center Happy Trails Riding Center, West Linn, Ore., offers horse riding lessons, camps and events. All instructors are certified by the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship. Last year, Happy Trails provided over 300 riding experiences. Participant Emily wrote: “Being at the barn has changed my life. I have learned so much about horses and how to take care of them. If I couldn’t go to the barn, I don’t know what I would do. … Happy Trails is my safe place, a place I can escape from my life, a place to be me, my oasis.” Upcoming events at Happy Trails include a Fall Barn Dance with City of West Linn Parks Department Sept. 13; Pumpkin Carving & Riding Camp Oct. 25; and Holiday Party Dec. 6. Classes and camps’ registrations are available through the City of West Linn Parks Department or scheduled directly with Happy Trails, (503) 351-0134 or happytrailsridingcenter@yahoo.com. DsUsA | chapter news - far west Photo courtesy of Stacy Ivany The Unrecables prepare for Ski Season The Unrecables kick off the ski season at the Snow Gala, Nov. 1, hosted by the L.A. Council in Woodland Hills, Calif., where the club’s Man and Woman of the Year will be honored. Ski trip dates to Mammoth will be posted on the club’s website and on Facebook. Those interested in joining should email info@unrecables.com. Monthly socials are held on the second Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at the IHOP Restaurant in Marina Del Rey, followed by a board of directors meeting. Congratulations to The Unrecables for their first place awards in both the Wentworth Outstanding Publication competition and the Outstanding Website competition. The awards ceremony was held at the FWSA Annual Convention in Bend, Ore. The list of award winners is published in the summer newsletter, and available on unrecables.org. For more information, email info@unrecables.com. Heli-skiing in Alaska Brian Sheckler, program manager for Disabled Sports USA Far West, and limitless adventurer Tony Schmiesing went heli-skiing in the Chugach Range, Alaska. This was the first time a quadriplegic bi-skier had been heli-skiing anywhere in the world. See more of their adventures at http://vimeo. com/92103318. Photo courtesy of Conor Toumarkine. 24 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | summer 2014 chapter news - midwest | DsUsA Turnstone Sports camps Turnstone, Fort Wayne, Ind., offers the following: • Mid-America Power Soccer League Weekend, Sept. 6-7 • 2nd Annual Steve Cash Goalie Camp, Oct. 10-12 • Fall Classic Power Soccer Tournament, Nov. 8-9 • Prep for the Future Basketball Tournament, Nov. 15-16 • Turkey Roll Varsity (Wheelchair) Basketball Tournament, Nov. 22-23 • Dlll Jingle Bell (Division III Wheelchair) Basketball Tournament, Dec. 6-7 • Bob Chase Frostbite/ Silver Stick (Sled Hockey) Tournament, Feb. 7-8 All events require pre- registration and are held in Fort Wayne, Ind. For the Steve Cash Goalie Camp and Bob Chase Frostbite/Silver Stick Tournament, contact Kevin Hughes, kevin@turnstone.org. For all other events, contact Drew Achenback, Andrew@turnstone. org. For information about Turnstone, call (260) 483-2100. Dare2tri Boasts Top-finishes at iTU World Triathlon chicago races The giant red and black Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club logo and “One Inspires Many” motto was seen and felt all across the 2014 ITU World Triathlon Series course, along Monroe Harbor, Buckingham Fountain, and Columbus Drive in downtown Chicago this past June. Dare2tri was the presenting sponsor of the paratriathlon races and it also boasted a roster of over 20 paratriathletes that competed in the Elite and PC Open races June 27-29. Among 60 total paratriathletes from 13 countries, in five different paratriathlon divisions, dare2tri welcomed competitors to its backyard where the club had nine total podium finishes. In the Elite race, PT1s Mary Kate Callahan and Diana Helt finished with a gold and silver respectively. In the PT2 division, Hailey Danisewicz and injured war veteran Melissa Stockwell earned gold and silver respectively. Grace Norman (PT4) finished second taking home silver. In the PC Open race, McKayla Hanson, Megan O’Neil and Heidi Musser took gold, silver, and bronze respectively for the women. For the male division, Grant Berthiaume finished second. With paratriathlon making its Paralympic debut in the 2016 Games, the top dare2tri athletes are on the “Road to Rio,” hoping to represent their country as part of Team USA on the most prestigious international stage. chapter news - northwest | DsUsA Awesome idaho Adaptive Wilderness Sports of McCall (AWeSOMe!) has had a highly successful winter program since 2002, but has not had a summer program since 2010. This year, thanks to a generous grant from Disabled Sports USA, we have been able to expand our programming into the summer. Our summer program features canoe and kayaking lessons for local children with disabilities as well as opportunities for these children to integrate into existing recreational programs in our community. Not only does the paddling program provide an opportunity for participants to enjoy the beautiful wilderness in McCall, it has also created an opportunity to recruit a new set of volunteers from within our small community of McCall (pop. 2871). We have drawn new summer volunteers from McCall’s large paddling community many of whom hadn’t previously heard of AWeSOMe! nor had they worked with children with disabilities. McCall has collaborated with several local organizations to integrate our participants into existing programs including the Payette Lake Community Organization, Ponderosa State Park’s Jr Rangers Program, and the McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS). AWeSOMe! is happy to be able to offer an adaptive summer program to our athletes, their families and our community. We are proud to continue to fulfill our mission to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities through sports and recreational activities. Images courtesy of Larry Serota summer 2014 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | 25 26 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | summer 2014 DsUsA | chapter news - mountain common ground Outdoor Adventures Common Ground Outdoor Adventures in Northern Utah offers destination trips year-round including trips to Park City, Bear Lake, Strawberry Reservoir, and dogsledding in Jackson, Wyo. Equipment, meals and transportation (from Northern Utah) are included in the cost, which averages to $50 per day. Scholarships are available to persons of low income. All trips are adapted to meet the physical and financial needs of all abilities. A fishing, tent camping and hiking outing is slated for November (date to be determined) at Quail Lake, a scenic park in Southern Utah’s St. George area (near Zion National Park). The lake is home to many fish including bass, rainbow trout, bullhead, catfish, bluegill and crappie. In addition to destination trips, Common Ground has a growing ski program based at Beaver Mountain Resort in Logan, Utah, as well as cycling, canoeing, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, rock climbing, sled hockey, and swimming programs. Common Ground’s winter activity start dates are weather dependent, and Common Ground’s other adventures are year-round. Call (435) 713-0288 or email programs@cgadventures to register for an adventure or vacation in Utah’s best kept secret, Cache Valley, home of Logan and Logan Canyon. NAc Announces Upcoming Events Though the fall is considered to be a ‘shoulder season’ in Park City, Utah, the National Ability Center (NAC) stays busy hosting camps, groups, families and individuals through a variety of sports, recreation and competition programs. ONGOING FALL PROGRAMS Oct. 1-11 Archery Oct. 1-11 Cycling Oct. 1- Dec. 31 Biathlon Oct. 1- Dec. 31 Aquatics Oct. 1- Dec. 31 Climbing Oct. 1- Dec. 31 Horseback Riding Oct. 1- Dec. 31 Hippotherapy Oct. 1- Dec. 31 Equine Facilitated Learning Oct. 1- Dec. 31 Sled Hockey Oct. 1- Dec. 31 Special Olympics Team Practices (Swimming) Oct. 1- Dec. 31 Adaptive Equipment Assessments and Rentals Dec. 1-21 Ski and Snowboard Program Session I SPECIAL PROJECTS AND EVENTS Oct. 22-30 U.S. Paralympic Nordic Team Training Camp (invitation only) Oct. 24 Family fun “Splash and Climb” – swimming, climbing and pizza Nov. 17-21 Project Odyssey Retreat (invitation only) Dec. 19-22 Winter Family Overnight Camp For more information, contact Ellen Adams, program director: ellena@DiscoverNAC.org; (435) 649-3991, ext. 622. Activities Abound at NScD The National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD), Winter Park, Colo., offers the following from Oct.-Dec. and into 2015. Unless otherwise noted, specifics on dates, times, and program description can be found at nscd.org or by calling (970) 726- 1540. • Mountain winter snow sports: Lessons are available Nov. 13-April 26, 2015. Reservations required at (303) 316-1518. Scholarship application can be found at nscd.org/winter programs/NSCD Winter Scholarship Application. • Daily lessons are available for all adaptive skiing methods, snowboard, ski bike, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. • Winter Park Resort Children’s Center classes for ages 5 to 13. Morning or full-day classes Nov. 13-April 26. • For information on Paralympic Training for athletes wanting to race at the elite level, call the Competition Center at (970) 726- 1547 or email Erik Petersen, epetersen@nscd.org or Starlene Kuhns, skuhns@nscd.org. • Introduction to competitive snowboard cross and alpine, cross- country and biathlon skiing for emerging athletes at Winter Park Resort and Fraser Valley. Cost is $275. Call (970) 726-1547. • Rock climbing Tuesdays and Thursdays, Nov.-April for all ages and ability levels. Equipment and adaptations provided. $80 for three sessions; $15 for one-time lesson. • Kayak program for beginning, intermediate or advanced. Equipment and adaptations supplied. Participants just need a swim suit and a desire to learn and have fun. Two-hour lessons at the Carmody Recreation Center, Lakewood, Wednesdays, Nov.-April. $85 for three lessons; $20 for one-time trial. • Metro Sports Sampler Camp at multiple venues in the Denver Front Range offers adventure and traditional sports that promote balance, concentration, skill, pro-social behavior/ teamwork and fun. Camp is three hours per week; $125. • Custom Groups: NSCD can help you create a customized experience from a variety of activities and camps. A minimum of five participants is required. Amenities available include meals, lodging, awards ceremonies, and evening events. MX Fishing Ad Challenge.indd 1 8/7/14 9:27 AM TASp Winter Adventures This winter, the Telluride Adaptive Sports Program (TASP) will provide many opportunities for outdoor winter adventure for adaptive participants. Offerings include hut trips, Nordic skiing, ice climbing, snowshoeing, skiing, and snowboarding. All adaptive athletes are welcome, regardless of previous experience or ability level. TASP will be offering skiing and boarding lessons daily from the office in Telluride Mountain Village. Telluride is the perfect mountain for participants of all skill sets, offering various levels of terrain and easy mountain accessibility directly from the TASP office. From Feb. 1-Feb. 6, TASP offers the Expand Your Horizons Ski Camp for intermediate to advanced skiers with physical disabilities. This camp is open to all participants who feel comfortable skiing blue runs, and allows them to explore diverse terrain, try new techniques and have the Telluride experience. Other events include Military Adventure Week, disability awareness programs and Special Olympics opportunities. For more information, visit tellurideadaptivesports. org, contact Tim McGough, (970) 728-3865, or email programs@ tellurideadaptivesports.org. gaylord Hospital Hosts Obstacle race for Sports Association Gaylord Hospital, a long-term, acute-care hospital in Wallingford, Conn., held its first obstacle trail race, the Gaylord Gauntlet, June 28. More than 400 people completed this 5K obstacle trail run, which was held entirely on hospital grounds. Among the competitors was Shane Mosko, an adaptive athlete who competed in the race with a team of friends and Sports Association staff. Mosko completed all the obstacles using a Terra Trek wheelchair and a modified sled. After the race, participants enjoyed live music, food, and micro-brewed beer. All race proceeds benefit the Sports Association, Gaylord Hospital’s adaptive sports program. The Sports Association invites adaptive teams from other organizations to compete in next year’s Gaylord Gauntlet, June 27, 2015. For more information, contact Katie Joly, Sports Association Program Manager, (203) 284-2772, kjoly@gaylord.org, gaylord.org, or Facebook (Sports Association, Gaylord Hospital). Helen Hayes Hospital classic 10k race After a 17-year hiatus, the Helen Hayes Hospital Classic 10K Race and Fun Run is set for Sun., Oct. 5. When it debuted in 1983, the HHH Classic Race was a pioneer in promoting fitness and competition among runners and wheelchair racers. Over 15 years, the event grew into one of the New York metropolitan area’s largest and most anticipated races. In a nod to its history, the 2014 HHH Classic Race will follow the same challenging course while also incorporating some new aspects, including divisions for handcycles and racing wheelchairs. It is expected they will be joined by participants using exoskeletons – the latest in rehabilitation technology. Also new is a family fun activity zone and live entertainment. The start and finish line are on the grounds of the hospital, RT 9W, West Haverstraw, N.Y. The 10K route is on the adjoining neighborhood streets. Pre-registration is $20; after Sept. 22, $30; and on race day, $35. Online registration is at http://bit.ly/ helenhayes. This year’s race is being named in honor and memory of the late Niles M. Davies Jr., who was a founding organizer of the first HHH Classic Race and took tremendous pride in being a race sponsor. His unwavering support of Helen Hayes Hospital and the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation are legacies that are the inspiration to bring back the competition and camaraderie of the classic. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation, which supports an array of rehabilitation programs, services and equipment. DsUsA | chapter news - mountain DsUsA | chapter news - new england 28 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | summer 2014 chapter to chapter | DsUsA ADVENTURE AMPUTEE CAMP Established in 1995, Adventure Amputee Camp (AAC) is a nonprofit organization that offers a traditional overnight camp experience to amputees ranging from ages 8 to 17. Held annually at the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Bryson City, N.C., the summer camp provides space for young amputees to gain confidence and explore their potential in an environment of encouragement and acceptance. This year, AAC offered a diverse set of activities that challenges campers individually and collectively. Outdoor activities such as white-water rafting, high ropes, scuba diving, water-skiing, and tubing throw campers outside their comfort zone and allow them to reassess what is possible. These activities bring out the adventurer in every camper as the kids help one another cross a 20-foot ropes course, navigate white water, and balance a sit-ski. Sports such as basketball, swimming, and cycling complement the outdoor experiences by allowing the campers to get to know one another while working as a team. With an encouraging cast of counselors, the help of specialized coaches, and the assistance of the Nantahala Outdoor Center staff, the kids are able to engage in new activities while motivating one another. Each night, campers swap stories of the day’s adventures and share personal victories around dining tables at a nearby restaurant. Chatter from campers and counselors alike weaves in and out of the dining hall as the group finishes dinner and prepares to head to the cabins. Topics ranging from music to sports to acts for the annual talent show follow the crowd as they trek back to base camp. Throughout the duration of camp, relationships formed through these late night conversations develop into friendships and new conceptions of ‘normal’ are slowly introduced. By the end of camp, exhaustion takes hold. The thrill of having attempted new activities and meeting new people, however, will last long after the last camper leaves the camp grounds. Friendships will continue to thrive and inspired campers will apply what they learned to their daily life. Perhaps a few will adopt a new sport while others will simply take their newfound confidence and funnel it into school or community involvement. Although camp will have drawn to a close, its impact will resonate in each camper for years to come. A Snapshot of Adventure Amputee camp NATIONAL ABILITY CENTER At the National Ability Center (NAC) in Park City, Utah, almost every summer afternoon is bustling with summer camps, lessons, and groups from around the country and the world. Among the kids, veterans, family members, employees, interns and volunteers who fill the ranch, barn and challenge course at the Bronfman Family Ranch and Recreation Center are six COACH interns with a wide range of abilities who are helping make a difference every day. Standing for Creating Opportunities for ACHievement, the COACH internship is a strength-based program for transitional youth that helps to build and reinforce vocational, social, and independent living skills through community programs and recreational activities. This program is based on the belief that sport and recreation activities are an excellent catalyst for teaching applicable life skills. The success of the COACH internship program is a result of the communities’ growing need and support for young adults to have opportunities to gain and hone hard and soft job skills, the expertise of adaptive staff and volunteers working with individuals of all abilities, and the proven internship and recreation models that have existed for nearly 30 years at the National Ability Center. At the end of the internship, interns have an understanding and introduction to a professional employment environment, job skills, expanded life skills and experience with a variety of recreation options for a healthy life. In addition, COACH interns leave with lasting friendships, an expanded support network, and with the pride, dignity and sense of purpose found within work. These skills and experiences make for a strong foundation, which COACH interns can rely on as they move to community organizations, businesses and universities to further their careers and education. Through collaborative partnerships and strategic initiatives, the internship has grown. Beginning with just two interns in 2012, the program has increased to eight in 2014 and plans to meet the same level as our therapeutic recreation (TR) interns (nearly more than 20/year) within our strategic plan. Each intern has the internship tailored to their own abilities and interests. For example, some work on administrative skills such as web design or marketing and advancement, while other interns are more involved with our participants and helping them move toward their therapeutic goals in the many different programs offered. Each week the interns meet with their internship supervisor to go over what they are learning and how they can use it in the future. Austin Fowler, a COACH intern for the summer of 2014, explained how the internship has already affected his life, “…I am legally blind, and always thought that it would be extremely hard, or even impossible, to work with a team. I thought that I would be too much of a handful, or somebody to watch after. Now my perspective has changed. The people that I work with have taught me so much and I am very grateful. I now know that it does not matter if a person has a disability. I cannot wait to put the lessons I have learned into my own life…” If you would like more information about the COACH internship or would like to become involved with the National Ability Center, visit our website, discovernac.org or email training@ discovernac.org. Applications are currently being accepted for fall interns. A stipend is available for all COACH and TR interns. NAc’s cOAcH internship Builds Many independent living Skills summer 2014 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | 29 DsUsA | chapter to chapter STRIDE visually impaired/ Blind Youth Experience Tent camping at STriDE’s camp vision STRIDE Adaptive Sports hosted its first Camp Vision, a tent-camping program designed for youth ages 13+ with visual impairments. Held at its SCORE (STRIDE Center for Outdoor Recreation & Education) Center, the program offered a week of tent camping and outdoor recreation activities and experiences, with a focus on independent living skills, outdoor education, and survival methods. The program was co-directed by Mary Ellen Whitney, CEO for STRIDE and Lynn Shortis, VI teacher at Pittsfield, Mass., City Schools, and integrated with seven peer mentors. While STRIDE has provided adaptive camping programs for over 20 years to youth with special needs, Camp Vision is the first such program exclusively designed for a single category of disability – visual impairments. The program builds off a pilot weekend program held last year for 13 visually- impaired youth from around the region. Utilizing adaptive techniques, the program introduced the youth campers to activities such as disc golf using beepers, archery and paintball target shooting, ATV trail riding, and basic first aid. Adaptive techniques for sports such as archery and shooting involve touch, verbal instruction, and hearing assistance through beepers attached to targets. Camp Vision’s mission is to enable these youth to become more self- sufficient and to maximize their participation in the community, at school, and in life skills. Outdoor recreation experiences can level the playing field and boost self-image for a child facing the daily challenges of visual impairment. “What makes this program unique,” says Mary Ellen Whitney, STRIDE Adaptive Sports CEO, “is that VI/blind youth don’t often get the chance in a social situation to partake in outdoor recreation and education as a group. Imagine the first thrill of hearing the nocturnal sounds of coyotes and owls that frequent our SCORE camp in the summer! The week was epic and memorable, for not only the students, but for all the counselors and for the community at large.” Other activities at Camp Vision included karaoke night; folk singers at the campfire; an integrated teen dance with a DJ; and a presentation by Sochi 2014 Paralympic alpine ski race guide, Kim Seevers. Five children with vision impairments joined the group for a one-night tenting/ mentoring experience. Do You Have Chronic Pain? The Translational Pain Research Group at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital is seeking individuals with pain as a result of Spinal Cord Injury to participate in a research study. Volunteers must: ・ Be between the ages of 18 and 65; ・ Be in good physical health; ・ Have had pain for at least 3 months Volunteers who qualify for the study will be reimbursed for their time. The cost of travel to and from BWH will also be reimbursed. For more information please call 617-525-7246 (PAIN) or email PainTrials@partners.org.   30 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | summer 2014 Endolite Mercury The Mercury is Endolite’s strongest hydraulic knee making it the ideal choice for active individuals seeking a knee to meet the demands of their lifestyles. The durable urethane kneeler pad, reinforced hydraulic unit and mode switch for cycling makes this knee versatile for all walks of life – from gardening, to maneuvering around the office to bike rides with the kids. The Mercury was made to help you get busy living. New Raize Remote App Now available in the App Store and at Google Play for amputees wearing the Raize Foot. The app features resistance adjustments, lock and unlock modes, as well as step counts. New Genesee Metro Liner from College park The new College Park Genesee Metro Liner provides the ideal benefits required of a gel liner in an affordable package. Shaped for fit and flexibility with cushioning comfort and excellent limb conforming properties, this durable liner accommodates a wide range of users. The unique fabric provides a superior fiber to gel bond, reduces pistoning and eases donning. Shear forces are absorbed to prevent skin friction as the mineral oil provides continuous moisture over the entire lifespan of the liner. • Retrofits with industry standard liners of like thickness & profile • Longer length for the perfect fit • Suitable for K1-K3 levels For more information, call (800) 728-7950 or visit http://www. college-park.com/liners. Motion Control’s EtD and Hand New Feature A new feature is now available for Motion Control terminal devices (MC ETD and MC Hand ProPlus versions) – FLAG, which stands for Force Limiting, Auto Grasp. • Force Limiting stops grasp force at ~2 lbs., allowing the grasping of delicate objects and reducing the fear of injuring someone due to overgripping • Each “pulse” increases the gripping force by ~2 lbs. • Auto Grasp detects a socket or electrode “slip,” and automatically increases grip force • Suggested L-Codes: L6881, L6882, L7009, & L7499 For more information and availability, contact Motion Control at (888) 696-2767 or info@UtahArm.com, a Fillauer Company. summer 2014 | CHALLENGE MAGAziNE | 31 mV-1 lX Wheelchair Accessible luxury Vehicle Mobility Ventures launched the MV-1 LX, the first luxury vehicle in the U.S. designed and built exclusively for people with disabilities. Meets or exceeds passenger needs and the guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act and provides complete independence and easy and safe accessibility. For more information and to find a dealer, visit www.mv-1.us. NEW ENGLAND HANDICAPPED SPORTS ASSOCIATION New England Handicapped Sports Association (NEHSA) located at Mount Sunapee Resort in Newbury, N.H., is gearing up for its 42nd year of serving those who want to enjoy active and independent lives through participation in sports and recreation programs. Much of the fall is spent overhauling and getting equipment ready to go as well as creating and planning the more than 30 different instructor training clinics available to its volunteers in December. It all kicks off with New Member Orientation, Nov. 15, where new members have the opportunity to learn about NEHSA’s programs, equipment, and talk to volunteers. The first training day is scheduled for Dec. 6 at Mount Sunapee with five different clinics that cover a variety of topics. Clinics are scheduled each Saturday and Sunday throughout December, offer subjects for every level of instructor from brand new to returning, and are open to all NEHSA members. Clinic topics cover a wide range from the beginner instructor to the advanced instructor and focus on the basics of teaching skiing, learning about adaptive equipment, in-depth presentations on some of the more prevalent types of disabilities we work with, tips for a healthy ski season and much more. As soon as we’re able, we’ll take our teaching on the snow, providing hands-on experience. Some clinic topics include: Volunteer 101, Principles of Adaptive Snowboarding, Intro to Sit-Ski and Developmental Disabilities, Slider from A to Z, New Ideas for Seasoned Instructors, Intro to Adaptive Cross- Country Instruction, Movement Analysis and ATS Teaching, Three- and Four- Track Skiing, Teaching and Guiding the Visually-Impaired Skier and many more. For more information on NEHSA’s training schedule and how to become a NEHSA member, visit nehsa.org, call (603) 763-9158 or email info@nehsa.org. NEHSA gets ready for its 42nd Season MARKEtpLACE chapter to chapter | DsUsA introducing... From the occasional jogger to the avid marathon runner, the bladeXT assists users in meeting the requirements of their fitness routine. Wearers can quickly transition from cardio to weight training without sacrificing safety, stability or performance. The bladeXT is a cross trainer style foot designed to provide demanding users the versatility to achieve their fitness goals and get busy living To learn more, visit endolite.com or contact your local practitioner.