Douglas Cairns
In 1989, Douglas Cairns was a British Royal Air Force jet pilot at the age of 25 when he was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and consequently lost his flying career. In 2000 he regained the freedom to fly in the USA as a licenced private pilot, and then went on to complete "Diabetes World Flight" in 2003, the first round-the-world flight by a pilot with type 1 diabetes.
After completing his world flight Douglas wrote a book on his experiences (Dare to Dream: Flying Solo With Diabetes) and spent three years in the USA giving sponsored motivational talks to the diabetes community. During this time he set five world speed records and two transcontinental speed records in the USA using the Diabetes World Flight "Beech Baron," and broke the existing records to land in all 48 contiguous states of the USA (http://www.diabetesflight48.com) before smashing the existing 13-day record to land in all 50 USA states by taking just 5 days and 15 hours in 2010. Douglas is a founder member of Pilots With Diabetes and is passionate about raising awareness of diabetes, and still gives regular talks to diabetes conferences & meetings, highlighting that diabetes need not limit the scope of people's dreams and ambitions.
Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
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brotherjim
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brotherjim
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- Posts: 1241
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Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
Lori Schneider
Mountain Climber, Teacher, Lifelong Learner,
Inspirational Speaker for Adults and Youth
Lori Schneider developed a bad case of wanderlust when she was 15 years old. She traveled to the corners of the earth in search of unique cultures, people, and challenging experiences. Lori graduated from an all-women’s college in 1978 and began a twenty-year teaching career, working with special education children, as well as kindergarten and first grade students. In 1999, at the age of forty-three, Lori developed something else. She awoke one morning with numbness in over 50% of her body. Within two months, it had spread throughout her entire body. The doctors uttered two little letters from an alphabet she had recited so many times - MS. When the crippling shock of the Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis wore off, Lori decided to accelerate her love of travel and mountains, and set out to climb the highest peak on each continent. With the highest peaks in Africa, Europe, South America, North America, Australia, Antarctica, and Asia under her belt, Lori became the first person in the world with MS to conquer the "Seven Summits". Lori’s message to adults and children alike, reminds us that if we believe, we can achieve.
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brotherjim
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Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
Tedy Bruschi, Jeff Fisher to climb Kilimanjaro
By RACHEL COHEN, AP Sports Writer Rachel Cohen, Ap Sports Writer –
Tedy Bruschi started his training for Mount Kilimanjaro by working out on the stair-climber and treadmill in his hiking boots.
The retired New England Patriots star linebacker, ex-Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher and former Philadelphia Eagles tight end Chad Lewis will take on Africa's highest mountain next week. They'll be joined by four injured service members to raise awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project.
"I've never done anything — and I mean anything — remotely like this," Bruschi said in a phone interview with The Associated Press.
The goal is to summit the more than 19,000 feet of Kilimanjaro from May 13-19 after a day of acclimatization in Tanzania.
Bruschi was such a novice he didn't even know what to do with all the straps on the pack sent to him by sponsor Under Armour. He started his hiking with his wife in the Blue Hills outside Boston — top elevation 635 feet — wearing a weighted vest.
He'd go to a nearby high school and run on the track and up the bleachers wearing the boots and that vest. From the NFL draft, Bruschi had to call his wife to ask her to buy him some trekking poles.
Bruschi got some more serious training on the peaks of New Hampshire. His guides were longtime friend Randy "Zip" Pierce, a fervent Patriots fan who's an accomplished hiker despite being blind, and Pierce's guide dog.
Disappointed he couldn't take part in an NFL USO tour to Afghanistan, Bruschi had told league officials to keep him in mind for future projects. When he got the call a few months ago, "it was just something I couldn't pass up."
Current employer ESPN gave him the time off, and Bruschi started to do his research into mountain climbing.
He's learned that the altitude affects each person differently, so there's no way to predict whether his group will reach the summit. The three NFL alums will be joined by Bryan Wagner of Exeter, Calif., and Ben Lunak of Grand Forks, N.D., who each lost a leg; Mike Wilson of Annapolis, Md., who struggles with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury; and Nancy Schiliro of Hartsdale, N.Y., who lost an eye.
The group will meet in New York on Monday to visit ground zero.
Bruschi is already beginning to understand how people get hooked on hiking. The big climb hasn't even started, and Bruschi suspects it might be the first of many mountains for him.
"I got in touch with some of my friends," he said, "and said I may be close to getting addicted to this."
By RACHEL COHEN, AP Sports Writer Rachel Cohen, Ap Sports Writer –
Tedy Bruschi started his training for Mount Kilimanjaro by working out on the stair-climber and treadmill in his hiking boots.
The retired New England Patriots star linebacker, ex-Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher and former Philadelphia Eagles tight end Chad Lewis will take on Africa's highest mountain next week. They'll be joined by four injured service members to raise awareness for the Wounded Warrior Project.
"I've never done anything — and I mean anything — remotely like this," Bruschi said in a phone interview with The Associated Press.
The goal is to summit the more than 19,000 feet of Kilimanjaro from May 13-19 after a day of acclimatization in Tanzania.
Bruschi was such a novice he didn't even know what to do with all the straps on the pack sent to him by sponsor Under Armour. He started his hiking with his wife in the Blue Hills outside Boston — top elevation 635 feet — wearing a weighted vest.
He'd go to a nearby high school and run on the track and up the bleachers wearing the boots and that vest. From the NFL draft, Bruschi had to call his wife to ask her to buy him some trekking poles.
Bruschi got some more serious training on the peaks of New Hampshire. His guides were longtime friend Randy "Zip" Pierce, a fervent Patriots fan who's an accomplished hiker despite being blind, and Pierce's guide dog.
Disappointed he couldn't take part in an NFL USO tour to Afghanistan, Bruschi had told league officials to keep him in mind for future projects. When he got the call a few months ago, "it was just something I couldn't pass up."
Current employer ESPN gave him the time off, and Bruschi started to do his research into mountain climbing.
He's learned that the altitude affects each person differently, so there's no way to predict whether his group will reach the summit. The three NFL alums will be joined by Bryan Wagner of Exeter, Calif., and Ben Lunak of Grand Forks, N.D., who each lost a leg; Mike Wilson of Annapolis, Md., who struggles with the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injury; and Nancy Schiliro of Hartsdale, N.Y., who lost an eye.
The group will meet in New York on Monday to visit ground zero.
Bruschi is already beginning to understand how people get hooked on hiking. The big climb hasn't even started, and Bruschi suspects it might be the first of many mountains for him.
"I got in touch with some of my friends," he said, "and said I may be close to getting addicted to this."
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brotherjim
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Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
In 1896 a New York Police Gazette offered a $10,000 prize to anyone who could row across the Atlantic Ocean from America to Europe, from New York to Le Havre. George Harbo and Frank Samuelsen, from Atlantic Highlands, bored with their lives as New Jersey fishermen, accepted the challenge. They also hoped it would change their lives and fortunes by becoming celebrity adventurers and consequently cash in on what would be a lucrative lecture tour around Europe and the USA.
In the spring of 1896 they outfitted their 18 foot wooden skiff named Fox, with provisions for the journey. They left in the spring of 1896 with no idea how long the journey would take. They encountered storms along the way and lost their supplies and equipment, but they were replenished along the way by other ships in mid Ocean.
After 55 days the two men reached land in Europe and news of their success was sent by cable telegraph back to New York.
There was no radio telegraph at that time but a few years later Guigliemo Marconi sent radio telegraph message across the Atlantic, again from Highlands, NJ, not far from where the two fishermen started their voyage.
The fishermen loaded their boat on a steamer and headed back to New York where they would make headlines and collect their $10,000 prize. The prize would be equal to $500,000 in today's economy. The steamboat ran out of coal off the coast of Cape Cod and the Captain ordered all wooden objects burned in the stoker in order to make steam for the remainder of the trip The two fishermen launched their boat over the side of the steamer and rowed back to New York, which was just a few hundred miles away.
Much to their dismay when they reached New York and went to the Newspaper there was no prize money and they never did collect a nickel - despite sinking their savings into buying an eighteen foot skiff, 'The Fox', capsizing twice and setting a record of fifty-five days that has yet to be broken for that particular route (USA - Europe), all they ended up with was two medals
In the end, they returned to fishing. George Harbo died in 1908 whilst Frank Samuelsen returned to farm in Norway, survived the Nazi occupation and died in 1946.
In the spring of 1896 they outfitted their 18 foot wooden skiff named Fox, with provisions for the journey. They left in the spring of 1896 with no idea how long the journey would take. They encountered storms along the way and lost their supplies and equipment, but they were replenished along the way by other ships in mid Ocean.
After 55 days the two men reached land in Europe and news of their success was sent by cable telegraph back to New York.
There was no radio telegraph at that time but a few years later Guigliemo Marconi sent radio telegraph message across the Atlantic, again from Highlands, NJ, not far from where the two fishermen started their voyage.
The fishermen loaded their boat on a steamer and headed back to New York where they would make headlines and collect their $10,000 prize. The prize would be equal to $500,000 in today's economy. The steamboat ran out of coal off the coast of Cape Cod and the Captain ordered all wooden objects burned in the stoker in order to make steam for the remainder of the trip The two fishermen launched their boat over the side of the steamer and rowed back to New York, which was just a few hundred miles away.
Much to their dismay when they reached New York and went to the Newspaper there was no prize money and they never did collect a nickel - despite sinking their savings into buying an eighteen foot skiff, 'The Fox', capsizing twice and setting a record of fifty-five days that has yet to be broken for that particular route (USA - Europe), all they ended up with was two medals
In the end, they returned to fishing. George Harbo died in 1908 whilst Frank Samuelsen returned to farm in Norway, survived the Nazi occupation and died in 1946.
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brotherjim
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Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
Welcome Home Adrian!
On October 28th 2005, Adrian Flanagan set sail aboard his 38 ft stainless steel sloop Barrabas to attempt the first ever single-handed, vertical circumnavigation westwards via Cape Horn and the Russian Arctic.
On Wednesday 21st May, after 405 days of sailing, covering over 31,000 miles Adrian arrived home at The Royal Southern Yacht Club.
A variety of boats and yachts sailed out to meet Adrian at the East Bramble Mark at around 10am. Family, friends, TV crews and the Royal Navy all escorted Barrabas as she made her way up the River Hamble, on the final leg of her intrepid round the world voyage. Many more guests, reporters and photographers waited on the jetty of the Royal Southern to welcome home an inspirational explorer who had finally fulfilled a 30 year dream!
On October 28th 2005, Adrian Flanagan set sail aboard his 38 ft stainless steel sloop Barrabas to attempt the first ever single-handed, vertical circumnavigation westwards via Cape Horn and the Russian Arctic.
On Wednesday 21st May, after 405 days of sailing, covering over 31,000 miles Adrian arrived home at The Royal Southern Yacht Club.
A variety of boats and yachts sailed out to meet Adrian at the East Bramble Mark at around 10am. Family, friends, TV crews and the Royal Navy all escorted Barrabas as she made her way up the River Hamble, on the final leg of her intrepid round the world voyage. Many more guests, reporters and photographers waited on the jetty of the Royal Southern to welcome home an inspirational explorer who had finally fulfilled a 30 year dream!
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brotherjim
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Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
A long walk south
Published: 01/11/2004 - Filed under: November 2004 » Special reports »
Business travellersknow how exhausting travelling can be, but one man set out to highlight how difficult even everyday activities can be for disabled people ? and it took him all the way to the South Pole.
In 1983, Michael McGrath was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, a muscle-wasting condition that severely reduces his ability to walk. Since then, he has launched his own charity (see below) and campaigns tirelessly to change the way employers view people with disabilities. His most recent challenge was walking to Antarctic Base Camp on January 1 this year, making him the first disabled person in the world to conquer both poles.
So, why the North and South Poles? Put simply, Michael wants to show that although it can be possible for the disabled to achieve access to the most remote parts of the world, normal daily activities are still prohibitively difficult. Bert Massie, chairman of the Disability Rights Commission, says: "Michael McGrath's expedition to the South Pole has shown that while there are many buildings whose architecture effectively excludes disabled people from using them, it is also possible for disabled people to reach some of the most inaccessible places on earth."
Slowly, things are changing, thanks partly to the dedication of people like Michael. Phase III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 came into effect on October 1, requiring companies to take "reasonable" action to give disabled people better access to workplaces, and Michael hopes companies will tap into the huge resource of people among the disabled community who are keen to work. Says Michael: "In valuing difference, disabled people want to be overwhelmed by ordinariness. Disability to many organisations still means can't do, rather than can do."
There are about 10 million disabled people in the UK, including 5.1 million people of working age. Half of these are out of work, despite the fact that most would like to work. According to Michael, people with disabilities add either no cost or very little cost to the business, with only 7% confined to a wheelchair and 4% requiring additional aids in the workplace. And for those who do, the average cost to an organisation is only about £185.
Michael's polar trips were gruelling undertakings, requiring self-belief and dogged resolve. "I have never worked so hard in my life," he recalls. Antarctica is the highest, coldest and windiest continent and the South Pole is 9,300ft above sea level, making altitude sickness another hurdle. But Michael was armed with the words of another great explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton, who wrote in his diary during his own Antarctic expedition: "difficulties are just things to overcome".
Michael is keen to point out that he didn't achieve these things alone. Patronage and endorsements came from Kenneth Branagh, Alexandra Shackleton, (granddaughter of Sir Ernest Shackleton), the Duchess of York, Michael Palin, Jon Snow and Tanni Grey Thompson (Britain's best known Paralympic athlete). Help also came from DHL, Virgin Atlantic, Hilton UK & Ireland, the European Commission in Brussels, the UK Minister for Disabled People, and Oxford Brookes University.
Michael's team left Heathrow on New Year's Day for Miami, then, after a stopover in Santiago, flew with Lan Chile (provided by Business Traveller) to Punta Arenas in Chile. After waiting for the weather to clear, the team boarded a 25-year-old Russian cargo plane. Four-and-a-half hours later, they landed ? just. "The pilots had just six seconds, after coming out of low cloud, to decide whether to abort the landing," says Michael. "It is an extremely high-risk manoeuvre because the runway is just blue
ice and we were coming at it from the wrong angle. The aircraft must carry extra fuel in case it can't land and has to return.
The Russian pilots, thankfully, managed to make the right attitudinal adjustments to the aircraft on its final approach."
After this dramatic beginning, the expedition continued without a hitch. After 14 days on the ice, Michael was towed the last 5km in a special sledge before walking the final 310m to the pole. One exhausting month later, the team touched down safely in London.
Despite having lost nearly 65% of his muscle bulk, Michael is by no means feeling defeated. Already a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, he has also been appointed disABILITY Champion by Hilton UK & Ireland in February 2004, to advance the understanding of the needs of disabled guests. "The two most important things I've learnt are that you are as powerful and strong as you allow yourself to be, and that the most difficult part of any endeavour is taking that first step. Accepted wisdom states that nothing focuses the mind more than fear. But I know that nothing focuses the mind more than a lack of time. I have much to do."
The Muscle Help Foundation
Michael launched The Muscle Help Foundation in March 2003, with his friend, business partner and fellow pole2pole team member, Miles Peckham. The foundation is a
not-for-profit organisation whose ultimate vision is to see a world free of muscle disorders. The foundation believes the surest route to developing therapies
for muscle disorders is the commitment to funding research to harness the collective energy of scientists with the interdisciplinary knowledge and willingness to act
in concert toward a common goal.
Published: 01/11/2004 - Filed under: November 2004 » Special reports »
Business travellersknow how exhausting travelling can be, but one man set out to highlight how difficult even everyday activities can be for disabled people ? and it took him all the way to the South Pole.
In 1983, Michael McGrath was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy, a muscle-wasting condition that severely reduces his ability to walk. Since then, he has launched his own charity (see below) and campaigns tirelessly to change the way employers view people with disabilities. His most recent challenge was walking to Antarctic Base Camp on January 1 this year, making him the first disabled person in the world to conquer both poles.
So, why the North and South Poles? Put simply, Michael wants to show that although it can be possible for the disabled to achieve access to the most remote parts of the world, normal daily activities are still prohibitively difficult. Bert Massie, chairman of the Disability Rights Commission, says: "Michael McGrath's expedition to the South Pole has shown that while there are many buildings whose architecture effectively excludes disabled people from using them, it is also possible for disabled people to reach some of the most inaccessible places on earth."
Slowly, things are changing, thanks partly to the dedication of people like Michael. Phase III of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 came into effect on October 1, requiring companies to take "reasonable" action to give disabled people better access to workplaces, and Michael hopes companies will tap into the huge resource of people among the disabled community who are keen to work. Says Michael: "In valuing difference, disabled people want to be overwhelmed by ordinariness. Disability to many organisations still means can't do, rather than can do."
There are about 10 million disabled people in the UK, including 5.1 million people of working age. Half of these are out of work, despite the fact that most would like to work. According to Michael, people with disabilities add either no cost or very little cost to the business, with only 7% confined to a wheelchair and 4% requiring additional aids in the workplace. And for those who do, the average cost to an organisation is only about £185.
Michael's polar trips were gruelling undertakings, requiring self-belief and dogged resolve. "I have never worked so hard in my life," he recalls. Antarctica is the highest, coldest and windiest continent and the South Pole is 9,300ft above sea level, making altitude sickness another hurdle. But Michael was armed with the words of another great explorer, Sir Ernest Shackleton, who wrote in his diary during his own Antarctic expedition: "difficulties are just things to overcome".
Michael is keen to point out that he didn't achieve these things alone. Patronage and endorsements came from Kenneth Branagh, Alexandra Shackleton, (granddaughter of Sir Ernest Shackleton), the Duchess of York, Michael Palin, Jon Snow and Tanni Grey Thompson (Britain's best known Paralympic athlete). Help also came from DHL, Virgin Atlantic, Hilton UK & Ireland, the European Commission in Brussels, the UK Minister for Disabled People, and Oxford Brookes University.
Michael's team left Heathrow on New Year's Day for Miami, then, after a stopover in Santiago, flew with Lan Chile (provided by Business Traveller) to Punta Arenas in Chile. After waiting for the weather to clear, the team boarded a 25-year-old Russian cargo plane. Four-and-a-half hours later, they landed ? just. "The pilots had just six seconds, after coming out of low cloud, to decide whether to abort the landing," says Michael. "It is an extremely high-risk manoeuvre because the runway is just blue
ice and we were coming at it from the wrong angle. The aircraft must carry extra fuel in case it can't land and has to return.
The Russian pilots, thankfully, managed to make the right attitudinal adjustments to the aircraft on its final approach."
After this dramatic beginning, the expedition continued without a hitch. After 14 days on the ice, Michael was towed the last 5km in a special sledge before walking the final 310m to the pole. One exhausting month later, the team touched down safely in London.
Despite having lost nearly 65% of his muscle bulk, Michael is by no means feeling defeated. Already a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, he has also been appointed disABILITY Champion by Hilton UK & Ireland in February 2004, to advance the understanding of the needs of disabled guests. "The two most important things I've learnt are that you are as powerful and strong as you allow yourself to be, and that the most difficult part of any endeavour is taking that first step. Accepted wisdom states that nothing focuses the mind more than fear. But I know that nothing focuses the mind more than a lack of time. I have much to do."
The Muscle Help Foundation
Michael launched The Muscle Help Foundation in March 2003, with his friend, business partner and fellow pole2pole team member, Miles Peckham. The foundation is a
not-for-profit organisation whose ultimate vision is to see a world free of muscle disorders. The foundation believes the surest route to developing therapies
for muscle disorders is the commitment to funding research to harness the collective energy of scientists with the interdisciplinary knowledge and willingness to act
in concert toward a common goal.
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brotherjim
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Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
I know age isn't a disability but I love the story about Super Grandpa. I have read it to Bobbie's class every year for the past 10 and my grandkids love it too. Do you know he was still riding at 100 years young?????
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nils Gustaf Hakansson, (15 October 1885 in Helsingborg stadsförsamling – 9 June 1987 in Ekerö, Stockholm), became famous as the Stålfarfar (meaning "steel Grandpa") after cycling the Sverigeloppet at 66 years of age.
Håkansson was a resident of Gantofta in Helsingborg, where he drove a bus, while his wife Maria had a café. He was known as a "krutgubbe" (lit. "gunpowder-hubby") when in 1927, at 42 years of age, he conquered the Swedish mountains by bicycle.
In 1951, at 66 years of age, Håkansson rode his bicycle emulating the so-called Sverigeloppet from Haparanda to Ystad. Because of his advanced age the organizers had refused him to participate - the maximum age was 40 years - but he still started from Haparanda at the same time as the contestants, wearing a shirt on which he had written a big zero. The Tour was run in stages, and while the contestants slept, Håkansson pedaled up to three days without sleeping. During the contest, he was presented as "Stålfarfar", a name that followed him since the late 1940s. He had a big beard that made him look extra old, and the organizers were afraid people would laugh at the race participants. Many newspapers covered his story, and he became famous as the Swedish people followed his journey through the country.
While stopping in Söderhamn police asked him to have a medical exam, which showed that Hakansson was in good health. After 6 days, 14 hours and 20 minutes, he arrived in Ystad - 24 hours before the contestants. There was a parade with a marching band, fire brigades and Håkansson sat in a cage on golden seat. The next day he had an audience with King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nils Gustaf Hakansson, (15 October 1885 in Helsingborg stadsförsamling – 9 June 1987 in Ekerö, Stockholm), became famous as the Stålfarfar (meaning "steel Grandpa") after cycling the Sverigeloppet at 66 years of age.
Håkansson was a resident of Gantofta in Helsingborg, where he drove a bus, while his wife Maria had a café. He was known as a "krutgubbe" (lit. "gunpowder-hubby") when in 1927, at 42 years of age, he conquered the Swedish mountains by bicycle.
In 1951, at 66 years of age, Håkansson rode his bicycle emulating the so-called Sverigeloppet from Haparanda to Ystad. Because of his advanced age the organizers had refused him to participate - the maximum age was 40 years - but he still started from Haparanda at the same time as the contestants, wearing a shirt on which he had written a big zero. The Tour was run in stages, and while the contestants slept, Håkansson pedaled up to three days without sleeping. During the contest, he was presented as "Stålfarfar", a name that followed him since the late 1940s. He had a big beard that made him look extra old, and the organizers were afraid people would laugh at the race participants. Many newspapers covered his story, and he became famous as the Swedish people followed his journey through the country.
While stopping in Söderhamn police asked him to have a medical exam, which showed that Hakansson was in good health. After 6 days, 14 hours and 20 minutes, he arrived in Ystad - 24 hours before the contestants. There was a parade with a marching band, fire brigades and Håkansson sat in a cage on golden seat. The next day he had an audience with King Gustaf VI Adolf of Sweden.
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brotherjim
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Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
Live online coverage of
2011 Warrior Games presented by Deloitte starts tonight
It's been an incredible week of competition at the 2011 Warrior Games presented by Deloitte, and now you have a chance to catch some of the action.
Starting at 6:30 p.m. MT tonight, you'll see the wheelchair basketball finals where Air Force squares off against the Navy/Coast Guard team for the bronze medal, while the Marine Corps takes on an undefeated Army team in the fight for gold.
On Saturday, coverage continues at 1:00 p.m. MT with the sitting volleyball finals, which will feature the Special Operations squad battling Navy/Coast Guard for bronze and another Army-Marine Corps match-up in the gold medal game.
All games can be seen at USParalympics.org/WarriorGames.
Web Streaming Broadcast Schedule
Friday, May 20: Wheelchair basketball bronze & gold medal games, 6:30 p.m. MT
Saturday, May 21: Sitting volleyball bronze & gold medal games, 1:00 p.m. MT
U.S. Olympic Committee, Paralympic Division
1 Olympic Plaza | Colorado Springs, CO 80909
paralympicinfo@usoc.org | http://www.usparalympics.org
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brotherjim
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Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
From Runners World magazine
When I am running, I feel everything is in sync. Even my mechanical leg becomes a part of me.
Sarah Reinertson
When I am running, I feel everything is in sync. Even my mechanical leg becomes a part of me.
Sarah Reinertson
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brotherjim
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Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
Who Can Compete?
Everyone with dwarfism can compete in DAAA sporting events.
•For general information about ages, abilities and particpation in DAAA sponsored activities, please see the Participate and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) web pages.
•For information about the sports offered and their rules and regulations, please see the DAAA Sports Rules web page.
When Are the Games?
DAAA National Games are held in the U.S. annually during the summer, usually in early July. The timing and location of the Games are planned to coincide with the annual National Conference for Little People of America (LPA). For information about locations of past Games, please see the Archive web page. The locations of future Games can be found on the News and Announcements web page.
DAAA athletes can participate in the World Dwarf Games, held internationally every four years. Locations of past World Games are listed on the Archive web page. For locations of future Games, please see News and Announcements.
DAAA encourages and supports athletic competitions and sports training events at the Local and Regional levels. For information about locating or setting up events in your area, please contact our DAAA Regional Activities Director, by e-mail or voice-mail at 888-598-3222.
What Are the Sports?
Annual National Games competitions can include a number of sports appropriate for a range of ages and abilities. Most years the variety of sports includes the following:
•track athletics ◦individual - 15m, 20m, 40m, 60m, 100m, 200m
◦relay - 4 x 60m, 4 x 100m
•field athletics ◦shot put
◦discus
◦javelin
◦tennis ball (for children 4 to 12 years old)
◦softball throw (for children 4 to 12 years old)
◦flippy flyer throw (for children 4 to 12 years old)
•swimming ◦breaststroke - 25m/yd, 50m/yd, 100m/yd
◦backstroke - 25m/yd, 50m/yd, 100m/yd
◦freestyle - 25m/yd, 50m/yd, 100m/yd, 200m/yd
◦butterfly - 25m/yd, 50m/yd
◦individual medley - 100m/yd, 200m/yd
◦freestyle relay - 4 x 25m/yd
◦t-shirt relay - 4x25m/yd
◦lifejacket swim - 25m/yd (for children 4 to 12 years old)
◦kickboard swim - 25m/yd (for children 4 to 12 years old)
•boccia
•soccer
•basketball
•volleyball
•flag football
•table tennis
•badminton
•table tennis
•powerlifting
The specific events offered at National Games depends on the local facilities where the DAAA events are held. Similarly, during international competitions, the hosting country of the World Games might offer events customary to the locale and available facilities.
DAAA Local and Regional events tend to be smaller and informal sport outings offering more personal attention and guidance. For example, activities might include sport practices, clinics or training sessions, or social athletic outings where personal best and enjoyable interaction are the goals, rather than winning.
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brotherjim
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Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
In 1997 Rockdale Youth Baseball Association’s coach Eddie Bagwell invited the first child with a disability to play baseball on his team; Michael a 7 year old child in a wheel chair attended every game and practice, while cheering on his 5 year old brother play America’s favorite pass-time. And in 1998, other children with disabilities were invited to play baseball on a typical baseball field within the baseball complex of the Rockdale Youth Baseball Association (RYBA). The players had expressed the desire to dress in uniforms, make plays in the field, and round the bases just like their main stream peers. The league began with 35 players on four teams that first year.
There were no programs to copy. It was decided that:
•Every player bats once each inning
•All players are safe on the bases
•Every player scores a run before the inning is over (last one up gets a home run)
•Community children and volunteers serve as ‘buddies’ to assist the players
•Each team and each player wins every game
The main concern was the playing surface, presenting potential safety hazards for players in wheelchairs or walkers.
By the spring 1999 season, the league gained support and became a source of pride for all involved as participation grew to over 50 players. During that season, the magnitude of the need for such a program was recognized. It was learned that there are over 75,000 plus children in Metro Atlanta with disabilities, most not being able to participate in team sports. That is when the dream of building a unique baseball complex for these special children was conceived. The Miracle League was formed and became a reality that all children should have the chance to play baseball.
Under the leadership of Dean Alford, the Rotary Clubs of Rockdale County and Conyers stepped forward to form the Rotary Miracle League Fund, Inc., a 501 (c) 3 organization. The new organization had two objectives: (1) raise the funds necessary to build a special complex with facilities that meet the unique needs of the Miracle League players, and (2) assist in the outreach efforts for Miracle Leagues across the country.
With the help of community volunteers and corporations, the design and construction of the first Miracle League complex was underway. The complex would include a custom-designed field with a cushioned rubberized surface to help prevent injuries, wheelchair accessible dugouts, and a completely flat surface to eliminate any barriers to wheelchair-bound or visually impaired players. The design also included three grass fields, which could be converted to the synthetic rubber surface as the league grew. In addition, accessible restrooms, a concession stand, and picnic pavilion were included in the design
The first of its kind Miracle League Field broke ground on December 31, 1999 and The Miracle League complex was completed in April 2000. On opening day, the Miracle League rosters had grown to over 120 players. The players raced around the bases and chatted with their teammates in the dugouts as they celebrated. Nicholas Slade, a player who had been in a coma just a week before, threw out the first ball.
The players’ enthusiasm has continued to grow. By spring, 2002, over 250 players filled the Miracle League rosters. The parents tell stories of their children insisting on playing despite bouts with kidney stones, broken bones, and recent hospitalizations. The thrill of playing, the cheers from the stands, and the friendships they develop make the Miracle League Field an oasis away from their everyday battles. Our umpire describes this as the only league where no one ever gets mad at him or her.
“Buddies” assist Miracle League player. These buddies are mainstream children who play baseball, youth church groups, boys and girls scouts to mention a few. As a result the parents, children and volunteers are all brought together – special needs and mainstream alike-in a program, which serves them all through service to children with special needs. The program is opened to children from any community and, until April 2002 was one of a kind.
The Miracle League has received local and national media attention. The league has been chronicled in the local newspaper, televised locally on NBC, ABC, Connecting With Kids and FOX, Atlanta affiliates and nationally on CNN, MSNBC and Fox Sports. In July 2001, the league was profiled on a segment of HBO’s Real Sports. Articles profiling the league appeared in People, Family Circle, Rotary International magazines, and Paula Deen. In January 2002 the Miracle League were awarded the Martin Luther King Humanitarian Award and on January 24th PAX TV’s “It A Miracle” told the story of Conyers Miracle League Player Lauren Gunder.
February 2002 the Miracle League Players were featured in Rotary Internationals’ PSA chosen out of 500 applicants. Winter of 2002 the Miracle League again was profiled in the Georgia Tech Alumni Magazine. January of 2002 won the 11ALIVE TV Community Service Award and June of 2002 took the Jefferson Award, The American Institute for Public Services, founded by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Senator Robert Taft, Jr. One of the greatest achievements was being inducted to The Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2002 The Miracle League was featured in People, Family Circle, Rotary International, TIME, Sports Illustrated, FOOD Network’s Paula Deen’s Magazine, Embracing Changes, to name a few. 2008 a Wine was created for Braves Player, Chipper Jones and The Miracle League was the beneficiary of its world wide sales. And recently received the National Consortium for Academics and Sports Award.
The publicity from these media events, coupled with positive word of mouth, raises awareness among the families of children with special needs and allows the Miracle League Association to take the program across the country.
Presently there are 240 Miracle League Organizations across the country including Puerto Rico, Canada and our newest member in Australia. The Miracle League is proud to serve over 200,000 children and young adults with disabilities.
Our gold is to offer this program to every city in the country so children, young adults and adults alike with special needs around the globe will have this same opportunity to play baseball. The Miracle League believes;
“Every Child Deserves A Chance to Play Baseball.”
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brotherjim
- 10k Poster
- Posts: 1241
- Joined: August 7th, 2009, 12:49 pm
Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
My Fibro Story: Reclaiming my life and health, with Rosie
All Fibromyalgia News | June 6, 2011 at 1:36 pm | Tags: fibromyalgia, national fibromyalgia association, pets | Categories: My Fibro Story | URL: http://wp.me/pPjwA-hY
The author with Rosie
My name is Jeannie Hughes, and I was diagnosed with myofascial pain, repetitive stress injuries and fibromyalgia in 1995, and I have had an on and off struggle of chronic pain -the syndrome- for almost 15 years. In my lifetime, I have had a number of traumatic incidences that occurred to me, but nothing is as life-changing as becoming lost and not knowing how to help myself.
I pray that no one ever experiences what I went through a few of years ago, especially if they have fibromyalgia or any disorder that may affect the central nervous system. They say that the human body cannot survive more than four days without food or water. I went four days without a single drop of water, food, or any sleep, while I had been completely lost in the city.
Having my body deteriorate to such extremes, I could watch my own body fall apart, including my immune system. I lost most my essential belongings and had also been mugged in the subway. I also had an undiagnosed congenital heart defect, which was causing me to faint and fall down. And yet, to the average New Yorker, I looked no different than a homeless person, even though I was a well-educated professional with a Masters Degree from Brown University and BA from Dartmouth College.
While I do not want to go into details of how I survived those four days
without food, water, shelter or sleep, I can say that by the fourth day I
was covered with bruises, dirt, and blisters, and I could no longer stand
upright. I was curled up on the pavement in broad daylight barely able to
yell for help. I was eventually rescued. During the subsequent months, I had
family caretakers and medical professionals to attend to my recovery. But my
full recovery was truly made possible by a newly adopted puppy, named Rosie.
I could find peace and hope through the love and positive energy I channeled
to this dog and the love she returned. I thought less about what happened
to me. I saw my dog as my new life partner, a new best friend that I could
rebuild my life with when everyone else was busy or could not be there for
me. We could bond and find joy in each other like no other.
People can be insensitive and impatient and say very unkind things People
can cut each other short or avoid expressing kindness. Dogs, on the other
hand, provide unconditional love and show it in the most beautifully
simplistic and timely ways. My puppy-raising and training experience of
Rosie opened a door of reclaiming my life and health, and I later trained
her with special tasks and work to further assist my recovery. She is
trained to wake me up in a timely manner, remember routine health and
medical self-care strategies, alert to strangers, do my laundry, pick up
dropped items, set off an alarm if I am about to faint or have chest pains,
reduce other repetitive tasks around the home, and more. With her
assistance, I am much safer in taking on more ambitious goals in life like
never before knowing what I can do with or without her during episodes of
increased symptoms, physical limitations and pain. For her devoted service,
I serve her. I cook my dog the best dreamy dog dinners, I bake her homemade
treats, and I have agility equipment and toys galore. We take care of each
other because our bond is like no other.
I rarely talk publicly about my life with my service dog, Rosie, but I hope
that others with chronic pain syndromes, temporary or long-term mobility
limitations, or even depression or PTSD will consider having a specially
trained dog. Such dogs can be trained to assist their daily needs in any
major area life that has been substantially limited by disability or a
history of it. The benefits I have received have been remarkable, and I feel
overjoyed that I also have a career around dogs. With dogs, my life has been
so much better than ever before. There is not a day that goes by that I
don't wake up to tail wags and puppy kisses! And there is not a night that
I don't sleep with furry warm head tucked under my chin to help me fall
asleep in peace.
All Fibromyalgia News | June 6, 2011 at 1:36 pm | Tags: fibromyalgia, national fibromyalgia association, pets | Categories: My Fibro Story | URL: http://wp.me/pPjwA-hY
The author with Rosie
My name is Jeannie Hughes, and I was diagnosed with myofascial pain, repetitive stress injuries and fibromyalgia in 1995, and I have had an on and off struggle of chronic pain -the syndrome- for almost 15 years. In my lifetime, I have had a number of traumatic incidences that occurred to me, but nothing is as life-changing as becoming lost and not knowing how to help myself.
I pray that no one ever experiences what I went through a few of years ago, especially if they have fibromyalgia or any disorder that may affect the central nervous system. They say that the human body cannot survive more than four days without food or water. I went four days without a single drop of water, food, or any sleep, while I had been completely lost in the city.
Having my body deteriorate to such extremes, I could watch my own body fall apart, including my immune system. I lost most my essential belongings and had also been mugged in the subway. I also had an undiagnosed congenital heart defect, which was causing me to faint and fall down. And yet, to the average New Yorker, I looked no different than a homeless person, even though I was a well-educated professional with a Masters Degree from Brown University and BA from Dartmouth College.
While I do not want to go into details of how I survived those four days
without food, water, shelter or sleep, I can say that by the fourth day I
was covered with bruises, dirt, and blisters, and I could no longer stand
upright. I was curled up on the pavement in broad daylight barely able to
yell for help. I was eventually rescued. During the subsequent months, I had
family caretakers and medical professionals to attend to my recovery. But my
full recovery was truly made possible by a newly adopted puppy, named Rosie.
I could find peace and hope through the love and positive energy I channeled
to this dog and the love she returned. I thought less about what happened
to me. I saw my dog as my new life partner, a new best friend that I could
rebuild my life with when everyone else was busy or could not be there for
me. We could bond and find joy in each other like no other.
People can be insensitive and impatient and say very unkind things People
can cut each other short or avoid expressing kindness. Dogs, on the other
hand, provide unconditional love and show it in the most beautifully
simplistic and timely ways. My puppy-raising and training experience of
Rosie opened a door of reclaiming my life and health, and I later trained
her with special tasks and work to further assist my recovery. She is
trained to wake me up in a timely manner, remember routine health and
medical self-care strategies, alert to strangers, do my laundry, pick up
dropped items, set off an alarm if I am about to faint or have chest pains,
reduce other repetitive tasks around the home, and more. With her
assistance, I am much safer in taking on more ambitious goals in life like
never before knowing what I can do with or without her during episodes of
increased symptoms, physical limitations and pain. For her devoted service,
I serve her. I cook my dog the best dreamy dog dinners, I bake her homemade
treats, and I have agility equipment and toys galore. We take care of each
other because our bond is like no other.
I rarely talk publicly about my life with my service dog, Rosie, but I hope
that others with chronic pain syndromes, temporary or long-term mobility
limitations, or even depression or PTSD will consider having a specially
trained dog. Such dogs can be trained to assist their daily needs in any
major area life that has been substantially limited by disability or a
history of it. The benefits I have received have been remarkable, and I feel
overjoyed that I also have a career around dogs. With dogs, my life has been
so much better than ever before. There is not a day that goes by that I
don't wake up to tail wags and puppy kisses! And there is not a night that
I don't sleep with furry warm head tucked under my chin to help me fall
asleep in peace.
-
brotherjim
- 10k Poster
- Posts: 1241
- Joined: August 7th, 2009, 12:49 pm
Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
It's not about how fast you go. It's not about how far you go. It's a process.
-
brotherjim
- 10k Poster
- Posts: 1241
- Joined: August 7th, 2009, 12:49 pm
Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
Not that going around naked is a disability, but I sure wouldn't want to row in this way. Nor ride my bike.
Latest News: Keith Whelan, mentioned by Roz in yesterday’s blog has had to abandon his row across the Indian Ocean.
“A NAKED Irishman attempting to row 6000okm across the Indian Ocean has abandoned the bid after suffering a serious head injury at sea.
The solo rower, Irishman Keith Whelan – who is known as the naked adventurer – was rescued about 118 nautical miles, or 220km, off the coast of Geraldton.
His bid to cross the Indian Ocean, from Fremantle to Mauritius, came to end after he seriously gashed his head when his solo craft was pounded by a big wave overnight.
His head was cut open by an exposed bolt on the inside of the cabin.
The Irishman put out an SOS for help, sparking a major sea rescue mission.
He was rescued by a cargo ship enroute to Bunbury around 1pm and is being treated on board after the ship was sent by rescue authorities to pick him up.”
Mr Whelan was forced to abandon his craft to the ocean.
A Rescue Coordination Centre Australia spokeswoman said: “That ship is enroute to Bunbury and that is due in there tomorrow afternoon.”
“His vessel has been abandoned…it’s not possible for them to bring it onto the ship.
“So it’s up to the individual to retrieve that.” (Report from: Perth Now)
Latest News: Keith Whelan, mentioned by Roz in yesterday’s blog has had to abandon his row across the Indian Ocean.
“A NAKED Irishman attempting to row 6000okm across the Indian Ocean has abandoned the bid after suffering a serious head injury at sea.
The solo rower, Irishman Keith Whelan – who is known as the naked adventurer – was rescued about 118 nautical miles, or 220km, off the coast of Geraldton.
His bid to cross the Indian Ocean, from Fremantle to Mauritius, came to end after he seriously gashed his head when his solo craft was pounded by a big wave overnight.
His head was cut open by an exposed bolt on the inside of the cabin.
The Irishman put out an SOS for help, sparking a major sea rescue mission.
He was rescued by a cargo ship enroute to Bunbury around 1pm and is being treated on board after the ship was sent by rescue authorities to pick him up.”
Mr Whelan was forced to abandon his craft to the ocean.
A Rescue Coordination Centre Australia spokeswoman said: “That ship is enroute to Bunbury and that is due in there tomorrow afternoon.”
“His vessel has been abandoned…it’s not possible for them to bring it onto the ship.
“So it’s up to the individual to retrieve that.” (Report from: Perth Now)
-
brotherjim
- 10k Poster
- Posts: 1241
- Joined: August 7th, 2009, 12:49 pm
Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
Team USA Athlete Loses 115 lbs in Quest to be Healthier
June 8, 2011 at 9:15 am | Categories: 2011 World Summer Games, Healthy Athletes
Janelle Evrard in 2006 (left) before she began eating healthier and exercising, and Janelle in 2011 (right) posing with her Bocce teammates
As with many people with and without intellectual disability, Janelle Evrard, a Special Olympics athlete from Massachusetts struggled with her weight for years – feeling embarrassed, physically ill, and disappointed in herself. But then, she decided to make a change.
“I knew I had to do something,” she said. “My doctor told me that I really needed to lose weight and get in shape. Diabetes is in my family, and I became worried about my health.”
Instead of choosing among any number of fad diets that are available, Janelle decided instead to try the simplest of plans – changing her diet and exercising more. She ate more fruits and vegetables and began walking around her neighborhood. Later, she also started going to a gym on a regularly basis. Once she starting losing weight, it began a positive
cycle that continues to this day.
“There was no stopping me,” Janelle said. “I set small goals for myself each week of a couple pounds, and when I reached that goal, I kept going. I was very determined because I could picture myself as a smaller person and people complimenting and noticing my
change cheered me on. My Special Olympics coach, my friends and my family were encouraging me. That got me to stay focused.”
Janelle is working now to maintain her weight and is thrilled with both the positive physical effects and the psychological boost of living a healthier lifestyle.
“My lower back doesn't hurt anymore,” she said. “At night, I used to snore a lot
and have acid reflux, but that stopped too. I couldn't walk much before, but now I can walk anywhere and it is a lot easier. And I can look in the mirror and feel proud of myself now.”
Janelle will be travelling to Athens, Greece this month to compete in Bocce at the 2011
World Summer Games. It will be her first world games.
June 8, 2011 at 9:15 am | Categories: 2011 World Summer Games, Healthy Athletes
Janelle Evrard in 2006 (left) before she began eating healthier and exercising, and Janelle in 2011 (right) posing with her Bocce teammates
As with many people with and without intellectual disability, Janelle Evrard, a Special Olympics athlete from Massachusetts struggled with her weight for years – feeling embarrassed, physically ill, and disappointed in herself. But then, she decided to make a change.
“I knew I had to do something,” she said. “My doctor told me that I really needed to lose weight and get in shape. Diabetes is in my family, and I became worried about my health.”
Instead of choosing among any number of fad diets that are available, Janelle decided instead to try the simplest of plans – changing her diet and exercising more. She ate more fruits and vegetables and began walking around her neighborhood. Later, she also started going to a gym on a regularly basis. Once she starting losing weight, it began a positive
cycle that continues to this day.
“There was no stopping me,” Janelle said. “I set small goals for myself each week of a couple pounds, and when I reached that goal, I kept going. I was very determined because I could picture myself as a smaller person and people complimenting and noticing my
change cheered me on. My Special Olympics coach, my friends and my family were encouraging me. That got me to stay focused.”
Janelle is working now to maintain her weight and is thrilled with both the positive physical effects and the psychological boost of living a healthier lifestyle.
“My lower back doesn't hurt anymore,” she said. “At night, I used to snore a lot
and have acid reflux, but that stopped too. I couldn't walk much before, but now I can walk anywhere and it is a lot easier. And I can look in the mirror and feel proud of myself now.”
Janelle will be travelling to Athens, Greece this month to compete in Bocce at the 2011
World Summer Games. It will be her first world games.