Great start my tremendous teammates!!! Last year we had 10th place until 3 days after the challenge was over, then we were beat by 50K to 11th place. Can we make the top ten this year? Good luck to all of you, and have a healthy happy new year. Good luck and happy new year to all the teams. Let us pray this year will be kinder to all of us.
Rosi
Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
Happy New Year everyone, wishes for a healthy , safe one for all. Rosi, you are always in my prayers.
Good luck to all teams from me also, and row safely.
Good luck to all teams from me also, and row safely.
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brotherjim
- 10k Poster
- Posts: 1241
- Joined: August 7th, 2009, 12:49 pm
Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
Happy New Year team from me also. Wow, over 525K meters so far 
Welcome Jonathan to the team , he is putting up some HUGE numbers! Maybe we can make the top 10 this year. I know Rosi, thought we had 10th sewed up last year, but got edged out in OT.
Good luck to all of you inspirational athletes and friends. I echo Ronnies advice, ( though not with her RN qualifications) row safely, don't overdue it. Enjoy the ride.
Welcome Jonathan to the team , he is putting up some HUGE numbers! Maybe we can make the top 10 this year. I know Rosi, thought we had 10th sewed up last year, but got edged out in OT.Good luck to all of you inspirational athletes and friends. I echo Ronnies advice, ( though not with her RN qualifications) row safely, don't overdue it. Enjoy the ride.
Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
Jonathan, welcome to the O.D. team. We are so very happy you are rowing with us. We are a team of people who try and overcome our physical, mental, or emotional challenges and never give up. Glad you are one of us and please post whenever you feel like it.
Rosi
Rosi
First Million VTC Meters! Woot!
Congratulations to all the Overcoming Disabilities Challenge Team Members on achieving your first MILLION challenge meters! You are maintaining an amazing 54,000 m per person average...and I believe that is without equal in this Challenge! Great rowing !
Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
Thanks Kona for the congrats and keeping us updated with stats. This is going to be a wild challenge, like a Jamaicain hurricane. Amazing number of meters from all the teams, this is great. So nice to see everyone rowing so much, so good for you.
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brotherjim
- 10k Poster
- Posts: 1241
- Joined: August 7th, 2009, 12:49 pm
Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
Welcome Diana to the challenge team and the Luna-tics affiliation. We are happy to have you row with us. Rowing/erging is a great exercise as you already know. Glad your Doctor recommended it. Your husband is more than welcome to join the Luna-Tics if you can persuade a runner to row.
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brotherjim
- 10k Poster
- Posts: 1241
- Joined: August 7th, 2009, 12:49 pm
Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
Thought I would share this email with all of you wonderful teammates.
jim
Jim, you guys have inspired us here at the Corning Family YMCA. Keep up the awesome work and we will give it all we got to catch you in the AVG per rower category. Nick and I are both Veterans and wish everyone on your roster good luck and keep pushin. Steve Schwarz Corning Family YMCA (Upstate New York)
jim
Jim, you guys have inspired us here at the Corning Family YMCA. Keep up the awesome work and we will give it all we got to catch you in the AVG per rower category. Nick and I are both Veterans and wish everyone on your roster good luck and keep pushin. Steve Schwarz Corning Family YMCA (Upstate New York)
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brotherjim
- 10k Poster
- Posts: 1241
- Joined: August 7th, 2009, 12:49 pm
Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
This is a short article about animals. A very good website to check out if you love animals or have a companion animal. http://www.2dogs2000miles.org . As you know I lost 2 service dogs the past 3 years, George who I had for 15 years and Red just a year. Red was poisoned and George , the best friend I ever had, was losing his sight. He was hit by a car while we were walking even though he was on his leash/harness.
The March Begins!
The story of 2 Million Dogs began with a man and his two dogs who embarked on a walk from Austin, TX to Boston, MA inspired by the loss of his Great Pyrenees to cancer. Some of you have heard the story of Hudson, Murphy, and Luke Robinson.
They walked from town to town sharing Malcolm’s story and educating people about cancer in dogs and as they built a nationwide grassroots movement, Mr. Robinson had a vision: 2,000,000 dogs walking simultaneously all across the United States for cancer. If 2 dogs could walk over 2,000 miles surely it was possible!
And that’s how the 2 Million Dogs Foundation was born and the legacy that started out with just a man who lost his beloved dog continues...
November 6th, 2011 The 2 Million Dog March Continues! This year there will be 30 Puppy Up! Walks across the country.
The March Begins!
The story of 2 Million Dogs began with a man and his two dogs who embarked on a walk from Austin, TX to Boston, MA inspired by the loss of his Great Pyrenees to cancer. Some of you have heard the story of Hudson, Murphy, and Luke Robinson.
They walked from town to town sharing Malcolm’s story and educating people about cancer in dogs and as they built a nationwide grassroots movement, Mr. Robinson had a vision: 2,000,000 dogs walking simultaneously all across the United States for cancer. If 2 dogs could walk over 2,000 miles surely it was possible!
And that’s how the 2 Million Dogs Foundation was born and the legacy that started out with just a man who lost his beloved dog continues...
November 6th, 2011 The 2 Million Dog March Continues! This year there will be 30 Puppy Up! Walks across the country.
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brotherjim
- 10k Poster
- Posts: 1241
- Joined: August 7th, 2009, 12:49 pm
Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
This is from an email from Mark Premo. Thank you Mark 
ABOUT US > About Us
Welcome to Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, a place where youth and adults with disabilities gain a measure of self confidence and independence by participating in adaptive sports programs and activities.
Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is the largest year-round disabled sports non-profit organization in Vermont offering the most diverse program opportunities and unique, specialized equipment. Vermont Adaptive promotes independence and furthers equality through access and instruction to sports and recreational opportunities including alpine skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports; kayaking, canoeing, sailing, cycling, hiking, rock climbing, tennis, horseback riding, and more. We serve clients of all abilities with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities from all over the world in three locations in Vermont during the winter – Killington Resort and Pico Mountain in Killington; Sugarbush Resort in Warren; and Bolton Valley in Bolton. Summer programs are provided state-wide.
With nearly 400 active volunteers, plus generous partners and sponsors, and an amazing base of clients and friends, Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports has been at the forefront of sports and recreation for those with disabilities in New England.
Mission
Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports is committed to empowering individuals with disabilities. We promote independence and further equality through access and instruction to sports and recreational activities.
Our Vision
We believe sports and recreation provide a physical, mental and social experience that is immeasurable in promoting self-confidence and independence in an individual. To that end, we extend an enormous thanks to our affiliates, sponsors and partners who believe in our mission and vision, and who afford us the opportunity to bring sports and recreation to our clients' lives.
ABOUT US > About Us
Welcome to Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports, a place where youth and adults with disabilities gain a measure of self confidence and independence by participating in adaptive sports programs and activities.
Vermont Adaptive Ski and Sports is the largest year-round disabled sports non-profit organization in Vermont offering the most diverse program opportunities and unique, specialized equipment. Vermont Adaptive promotes independence and furthers equality through access and instruction to sports and recreational opportunities including alpine skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports; kayaking, canoeing, sailing, cycling, hiking, rock climbing, tennis, horseback riding, and more. We serve clients of all abilities with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities from all over the world in three locations in Vermont during the winter – Killington Resort and Pico Mountain in Killington; Sugarbush Resort in Warren; and Bolton Valley in Bolton. Summer programs are provided state-wide.
With nearly 400 active volunteers, plus generous partners and sponsors, and an amazing base of clients and friends, Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports has been at the forefront of sports and recreation for those with disabilities in New England.
Mission
Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports is committed to empowering individuals with disabilities. We promote independence and further equality through access and instruction to sports and recreational activities.
Our Vision
We believe sports and recreation provide a physical, mental and social experience that is immeasurable in promoting self-confidence and independence in an individual. To that end, we extend an enormous thanks to our affiliates, sponsors and partners who believe in our mission and vision, and who afford us the opportunity to bring sports and recreation to our clients' lives.
Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
I just wanted to say great rowing to everyone on the team. I am proud of each one of you 
Rosi
Rosi
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barrokraijin
- Paddler
- Posts: 3
- Joined: January 8th, 2012, 10:08 pm
Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
Hi guys,
Jonathan Lewis here. I am very humbled to be part of this team. I am absolutely astounded at the numbers we are putting up per person! Please feel free to offer any advice to me, especially blisters on the hands which seem to be the nagging problem as of late. I wear gloves, but it looks like I'll have to tape some of the knuckle areas so the skin doesn't rip.
Like Rosi and Jim, I am very excited to be in the top ten teams at the end of this challenge. I believe we can do it. I followed many of the personal performances during the Holiday challenge and was utterly amazed at the consistency and determination everyone had. You all have inspired me I hope you all are doing well. Keep your spirits high, minds sharp, bodies sound, and eyes on the prize.
Jonathan
Jonathan Lewis here. I am very humbled to be part of this team. I am absolutely astounded at the numbers we are putting up per person! Please feel free to offer any advice to me, especially blisters on the hands which seem to be the nagging problem as of late. I wear gloves, but it looks like I'll have to tape some of the knuckle areas so the skin doesn't rip.
Like Rosi and Jim, I am very excited to be in the top ten teams at the end of this challenge. I believe we can do it. I followed many of the personal performances during the Holiday challenge and was utterly amazed at the consistency and determination everyone had. You all have inspired me
I hope you all are doing well. Keep your spirits high, minds sharp, bodies sound, and eyes on the prize.Jonathan
Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
Hi Jonathan, so nice to see you post and also welcome to the team
For blisters: they make special gloves for rowing but sounds like you have blisters on the tops of your hands. You might try putting something soft like socks, cloth, wristbands, etc over the handles and not use gloves. I use sweatbands/wristbands on mine. I use a wheelchair so I am use to wearing gloves and the friction blisters that accompany them. Jim uses socks on his and also he has tried his crutch handle covers slipped over the ends.
Good luck and I am so happy you have joined us, I hope that has helped you some. And, good job on the meters rowed, you are truly amazing!
Ronnie
For blisters: they make special gloves for rowing but sounds like you have blisters on the tops of your hands. You might try putting something soft like socks, cloth, wristbands, etc over the handles and not use gloves. I use sweatbands/wristbands on mine. I use a wheelchair so I am use to wearing gloves and the friction blisters that accompany them. Jim uses socks on his and also he has tried his crutch handle covers slipped over the ends.
Good luck and I am so happy you have joined us, I hope that has helped you some. And, good job on the meters rowed, you are truly amazing!
Ronnie
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brotherjim
- 10k Poster
- Posts: 1241
- Joined: August 7th, 2009, 12:49 pm
Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
Adaptive Mountain Biking for People with Disabilities
by Muffy Davis
What is your favorite sound? For me, it’s the wind in the trees. It reminds me of all the backpacking trips my family and I took when I was a kid. I remember thinking that when I would hear the wind blowing through the trees, it meant we were close to the lake, our final destination.
After my SCI accident 19 years ago, it became difficult for me to get to a place where I could experience that favorite sound, where I could get far enough away from the noises of civilization to hear just the wind in the trees. I really missed that in my life and was determined to find a way to get it back.
Adaptive Mountain Biking is Accessible
After many years of using a wheelchair for my mobility, I finally discovered mountain biking. It was my ticket back to the mountain trails to experience once again the sound and the feel of the wind that I so love.
Adaptive mountain biking is a relatively new sport, relative in that the hand-cranked bikes enabling people with lower-extremity mobility limitations to ride have only been around for the past 15 or so years. There really are only a few choices of bikes out there for people now; however, adaptive mountain biking is a new sport that is sure to grow in popularity.
Fourcross
Adaptive downhill mountain biking, also known as Fourcross, was a fairly popular sport several years ago, complete with a whole competition circuit. There were several bike manufacturers, R-One being one of the largest.
Two of the downhill mountain bike granddaddies are Stacy Kohut and John Davis, both of whom were instrumental in the whole bike design and manufacturing. In fact, Stacy Kohut is still very involved in the downhill mountain bike scene; check out some of his crazy but informative videos here.
Hand Bike Your Own Way Up
But the difference between downhill mountain biking and just mountain biking is that in the downhill form, riders are dependent on some means other than their own power to get them to the top of the mountain (i.e., a chairlift or vehicle). The mountain biking I am talking about that captured my heart is more like true mountain biking: in order to get down, you must work—crank on your own power—your way up.
These mountain bikes are different from the downhill bikes in that they have lots of gears that enable people to crank up the hills. Additionally, these hand cranked mountain bikes are rear-wheel-drive bikes to ensure better traction versus most hand bikes which are front-wheel drives. Of course, they are also different from traditional hand bikes in that they have large knobby tires, just as typical mountain bikes do.
Adaptive Equipment
There are two different versions of these adaptive mountain bikes that I am familiar with. The most popular and best known bike is the One-Off handcycle designed and built by Mike Augspurger. Check out the website for great photos and videos of the bikes in action.
My adaptive mountain bike is a Greenspeed GTH handcycle. It’s built in Australia by Greenspeed, popular recumbent bike manufacturers. They have been building this hand bike since 1992, and I really love it.
While not as well known or popular as the One-Off, I prefer the Greenspeed purely because of the seating position and the ease of use. The One-Off might enable you to climb steeper and faster, but I found it incredibly uncomfortable, sitting on my knees and lying on my chest, and difficult to use for a fairly high-level paraplegic. The steering of the One-Off is done with your chest by leaning side to side while you are cranking with your arms, whereas the Greenspeed steering is similar to many other handcycles, done with your arms as you crank.
Both are great bikes; what is wonderful is that there are choices for people with disabilities who want to mountain bike, so you can pick whichever bike you prefer. Both bikes cost about $5,000 USD and can be very well customized to fit the rider.
If you are interested in a little off-road competition, you can check out the World Off-Road Handcycling Championships, held each August in Crested Butte, CO. Log onto U.S. Handcycling for info on last year’s event and for details on this year’s competition.
See you on the trails!
by Muffy Davis
What is your favorite sound? For me, it’s the wind in the trees. It reminds me of all the backpacking trips my family and I took when I was a kid. I remember thinking that when I would hear the wind blowing through the trees, it meant we were close to the lake, our final destination.
After my SCI accident 19 years ago, it became difficult for me to get to a place where I could experience that favorite sound, where I could get far enough away from the noises of civilization to hear just the wind in the trees. I really missed that in my life and was determined to find a way to get it back.
Adaptive Mountain Biking is Accessible
After many years of using a wheelchair for my mobility, I finally discovered mountain biking. It was my ticket back to the mountain trails to experience once again the sound and the feel of the wind that I so love.
Adaptive mountain biking is a relatively new sport, relative in that the hand-cranked bikes enabling people with lower-extremity mobility limitations to ride have only been around for the past 15 or so years. There really are only a few choices of bikes out there for people now; however, adaptive mountain biking is a new sport that is sure to grow in popularity.
Fourcross
Adaptive downhill mountain biking, also known as Fourcross, was a fairly popular sport several years ago, complete with a whole competition circuit. There were several bike manufacturers, R-One being one of the largest.
Two of the downhill mountain bike granddaddies are Stacy Kohut and John Davis, both of whom were instrumental in the whole bike design and manufacturing. In fact, Stacy Kohut is still very involved in the downhill mountain bike scene; check out some of his crazy but informative videos here.
Hand Bike Your Own Way Up
But the difference between downhill mountain biking and just mountain biking is that in the downhill form, riders are dependent on some means other than their own power to get them to the top of the mountain (i.e., a chairlift or vehicle). The mountain biking I am talking about that captured my heart is more like true mountain biking: in order to get down, you must work—crank on your own power—your way up.
These mountain bikes are different from the downhill bikes in that they have lots of gears that enable people to crank up the hills. Additionally, these hand cranked mountain bikes are rear-wheel-drive bikes to ensure better traction versus most hand bikes which are front-wheel drives. Of course, they are also different from traditional hand bikes in that they have large knobby tires, just as typical mountain bikes do.
Adaptive Equipment
There are two different versions of these adaptive mountain bikes that I am familiar with. The most popular and best known bike is the One-Off handcycle designed and built by Mike Augspurger. Check out the website for great photos and videos of the bikes in action.
My adaptive mountain bike is a Greenspeed GTH handcycle. It’s built in Australia by Greenspeed, popular recumbent bike manufacturers. They have been building this hand bike since 1992, and I really love it.
While not as well known or popular as the One-Off, I prefer the Greenspeed purely because of the seating position and the ease of use. The One-Off might enable you to climb steeper and faster, but I found it incredibly uncomfortable, sitting on my knees and lying on my chest, and difficult to use for a fairly high-level paraplegic. The steering of the One-Off is done with your chest by leaning side to side while you are cranking with your arms, whereas the Greenspeed steering is similar to many other handcycles, done with your arms as you crank.
Both are great bikes; what is wonderful is that there are choices for people with disabilities who want to mountain bike, so you can pick whichever bike you prefer. Both bikes cost about $5,000 USD and can be very well customized to fit the rider.
If you are interested in a little off-road competition, you can check out the World Off-Road Handcycling Championships, held each August in Crested Butte, CO. Log onto U.S. Handcycling for info on last year’s event and for details on this year’s competition.
See you on the trails!
Re: Overcoming Disabilties Team Room
Jim, That was a good article about mountain biking. I have this bike because I cycle alot on sand
" Varna Liberator Big Wheel Handcycle
Product Description
This Liberator Handcycle model is purposely equipped with super low gearing to facilitate movement over rough terrain. This bike will master sandy or rocky beaches and other inaccessible places for ordinary handcycles. Rapid, easy disassembly for vehicle-trunk transport or storage. Suitable for children and adults with full arm and upper trunk mobility."
Me again
Drat, the picture didn't copy
It is not a racing cycle at all but is a great workkout when not rowing which is very seldom right now
Zander has a racing cycle that he rides from home to the hospital. It is much lighter and quicker, however he doesn't race either.
Ronnie
" Varna Liberator Big Wheel Handcycle
Product Description
This Liberator Handcycle model is purposely equipped with super low gearing to facilitate movement over rough terrain. This bike will master sandy or rocky beaches and other inaccessible places for ordinary handcycles. Rapid, easy disassembly for vehicle-trunk transport or storage. Suitable for children and adults with full arm and upper trunk mobility."
Me again
Drat, the picture didn't copy
It is not a racing cycle at all but is a great workkout when not rowing which is very seldom right now
Zander has a racing cycle that he rides from home to the hospital. It is much lighter and quicker, however he doesn't race either.
Ronnie