Water Skiers overcome physical disabilities

[Guest guest]

Skiers overcome physical disabilities

by L. Sandlin

http://www.county29.net/cms2/index.php?

option=com_content & task=view & id=14726 & Itemid=99999999

About 100 skiers are expected to take to the water at Morse Reservoir

this week in a most unexpected way, and as many as 100 more people

will be helping them to master the waves.

The Adaptive Water Skiing Clinic, sponsored by the Rehabilitation

Hospital of Indiana Sports Program, will return to the lake and to

Red Bridge Park in Cicero Wednesday and Thursday to provide

individuals with physical disabilities the opportunity to participate

in the annual water ski event.

" This event represents what summer is all about, " said Allyssa

Wagner, water ski event coordinator at RHISP. " Getting outside,

enjoying the sun and fresh air. Our participants love this event.

Participants get to experience the freeing feeling of flying on top

of the water. They always say it's such a rush. "

It will be the eighth year that Doss, director of marketing and

admissions for the Lodge Assisted Living Center and a member of RHI's

board of directors, has been involved with the clinic.

Doss said that anyone of any age who has a physical disability can

have the opportunity to learn how to ski.

" The majority of the patients that come through RHI are severe brain

injury or spinal cord injuries, " he said. " Then again, there are some

that have other disabilities like MS and other debilitating diseases

that restrict muscle use and deterioration of bones and things like

that … those are most of the people that take advantage of the

adaptive equipment. "

Doss described the " adaptive equipment " used as a " water ski on

steroids, " up to 1 ½ feet wide and 6 to 8 feet long. A rope attaches

to the board itself and not necessarily to the patient, depending on

their level of skill.

" It's very rewarding, " he said. " You get to see some of the kids and

adults that, since they had their accident or a brain injury or

disease and they haven't been able to do anything, they're laughing

and having a good time. You know you're really changing their

spirits. "

Volunteers help a participant prepare to water ski on Morse Reservoir

during last year's Adaptive Water Skiing Clinic. Photo submitted

Dave Galt, president of the Hamilton North Chamber of Commerce, said

it will be his first year as a participant. He's encouraging other

chamber members to get on board as a community service project.

Galt said he is looking forward to helping out at the clinic.

" It just sounded really neat, " he said. " I think I've seen it before

driving by – I live up on the lake – so any way that I can give back.

It's just a great community up here, and it's neat to hear those

types of things happen. "

Disabled adults and children are invited to participate, but more

volunteers are also needed to come help the participants during the

two-day event. Participants may register up to and including the day

of the event. Volunteers should call Doss right away at 770-3403 or

contact Pat Dean, Director of the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana

Sports Program, 329-2000.

Know More

You can be a part of the Adaptive Water Skiing Clinic event, which is

open to people of all ages who have physical disabilities who would

like to learn to water ski. Volunteers are also needed to help out in

various ways. Participants will enjoy the sun and fresh air on Morse

Lake as well as a picnic lunch. The event gets under way for skiers

at 8 a.m. and volunteers need to arrive at Red Bridge Park in Cicero

at 7 a.m. Cost is $5 for skiers. For more information, contact

Doss at 770-3403 or Pat Dean, Director of the Rehabilitation Hospital

of Indiana Sports Program, 329-2000.