A Physical Fit: Group opens up sports to people with disabilities

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A Physical Fit: Group opens up sports to people with disabilities

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BY CYMBRE FOSTER

Special to the Record-Eagle

Twelve years ago, Sue Gotts was a busy recreational therapist helping

clients adjust to life with a new disability.

It was when these clients began asking how they could stay active

once they finished therapy that Gotts came up with an idea.

She and physical therapist Ann Reichert founded Northern Michigan

Adaptive Sports and Recreation. Their purpose was to introduce people

with physical disabilities, along with family and friends, to a

variety of sports and recreational opportunities.

" Clients kept asking me now what do I do? " said Gotts. " So the first

year we went downhill skiing and bowling.

" The next year we added waterskiing, golf, horseback riding, dog

sledding and kayaking. "

The activities are offered once a month. In July, the group puts on

the well-attended summer sports day, which includes water skiing,

sailing and kayaking at Hull Park in Traverse City.

Equipment is adapted to the participant's needs, such as using a bi-

ski or outriggers to downhill ski.

The program started with five participants. Over the years, the

mailing list has grown to 200, said Gotts. Of the 200, at least 100

have disabilities. Participants and volunteers come from as far away

as Marquette, Detroit, Ohio and Chicago.

Any individual who is physically challenged is welcome to come, said

Gotts. The youngest participant is 3, with the oldest an 80-plus

downhill skier.

The organization is not disability-specific and welcomes participants

who were born with a disability as well as those who have sustained

adult-onset disabilities. Common disabilities include cerebral palsy,

spina bifida, stroke, spinal cord injuries, amputations and hearing

and visual impairments.

Since its inception, Reichert and Gotts have volunteered countless

hours and done most of the fund raising for the non-profit

organization.

" I strongly feel that this is what I was supposed to do, " said

Gotts. " I just feel good helping someone. "

They rely on financial support from grants and fund raisers,

donations and Munson Medical Center's Rehabilitation Service Line.

The program maintains its nonprofit status through partnering with

Munson, which also provides insurance and help with mailings, said

Gotts.

She said they also have the community to thank for the success of the

program.

" We can't thank the community enough, " said Gotts, " like Ranch

Rudolf, which lets us use their facility for free and charges half

price for horseback riding, or the bowling alley that doesn't charge

us. "

Five years ago, NMASR added a hand cycling program, which allows

someone with paralysis to bike by using their hands to pedal.

has been coming to NMASR events almost since its

inception. Paralyzed in a snowmobile accident in 1995, he was looking

for a way to keep active after rehabilitation.

" I started skiing in 1996, " said . " It gets you out doing

things and shows that people in chairs can actually do things. "

has also climbed trees and has become an avid hand cycler.

" He started hand cycling two years ago and he does about 25 miles a

week now, " said Gotts. " He did his first marathon and I watched him

come across the finish line. "

said he biked close to 1,800 miles last year.

For many participants, the monthly events are a way to help alleviate

the loneliness and depression that can accompany a debilitating

injury.

" A lot of people don't think they can do these things, but you don't

know if you don't try, " said .

Both Gotts and said that they would love to see more children

attend the events.

" It's a lot of fun and I hope we can get more kids to go, " said

. " It's a great way to show parents what their kids can do. "

Deb Rosenberger's 7-year-old granddaughter Ernst is one of the

kids who enjoys attending the NMASR events.

" just loves it, especially the summer fun day, " said

Rosenberger of Honor. " I'm so glad that they have this, because a lot

of these kids would have nothing to do. "

For , who has cerebral palsy, the NMASR events are a way for her

to meet other children as well as get some exercise, said her

grandmother.

It's also a way for families to make a connection, said Rosenberger.

" You go to one of these events and it's really heartwarming, " she

added. " We've met a lot of people. Sue deserves a medal. "

NMASR is always in need of volunteers. Gotts said three volunteers

per person are required for each event. The next one is a hand

cycling clinic scheduled for Thursday, May 1, at 5 p.m. at Garfield

Township Park in Traverse City.

The cost is $5 for members and $10 for non-members. Annual

memberships are $15.