People With Disabilities Gather In Bangor

September 23, 2007

BANGOR (NEWS CENTER) -- People with disabilities came together

Saturday: learning ways they can get out and spend time with others,

as well as resources that can help them lead full lives.

Wally Mahan Jr. needs a wheelchair to get around, but his disability

hasn't stopped him. He owns his own trucking company and drives all

over New England.

" That i can go out and do what other people are doing - not letting

my disability get in the way, " Mahan said.

Mahan came to a disabilities fair in Bangor Sunday, along with many

others who have a disability - to see what resources are out there -

what devices help make it easier to live like anyone else.

" There are so many devices, adaptations of sports, any kind of

recreation you want, you can find a way to adapt it to your needs,

to make it accessible, " said Gaelen Saucier.

Alpha One in Bangor played host to the event - a center designed to

help people to lead independent lives.

Rackley of Eliot has been in a wheelchair for 10 years. He

designed an all-terrain chair so he could keep hunting and being

outdoors. To keep doing the things he loves to do.

" Oh I can go through the mud, snow, I've been through a foot of snow

in the woods, hunting... and it keeps my hands away from the wheels

so they can keep dry because of the push handles, " Rackley said.

" Nobody has to give up anymore, they can keep doing stuff; I just

find it very empowering, " said Gaelen Saucier.

Alpha One has locations throughout the state. In Bangor, they have

support groups that meet the first Thursday of every month. They

invite anyone with a disability to attend.

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