I must admit that there is no way anyone would confuse me with an athlete, though I have had the pleasure of cycling and playing tennis. But, when it comes to winter sports, I prefer to indulge in them cozily dressed in a heavy sweater, sitting next to a fireplace, and watching them on television. However, this does not preclude my admiring and applauding those brave athletes (usually younger than yours truly) who brave the cold temperatures and master the skills and coordination necessary to strap on a single ski, go up a mountain, and careen down a ski slope, or to participate in the fiercely competitive game of sled hockey.
As an organization we have a long, rich history in wheelchair sports, beginning in the late 1940s with basketball. As United Spinal Association, we continue to promote adaptive sports so that our members have the option of participating—or not—as they choose. Our organizational involvement in sports is important because it gives our members the opportunity to come together and to see possibilities beyond sports which might not otherwise be apparent. Sports have been and continue to be a steppingstone toward getting active and involved.
As advocates, we at United Spinal work to ensure that our members have access to health care, transportation, housing, adaptive equipment, employment, education, and so forth. This is our job. Your job is to take advantage of all these opportunities. The goal of being rehabbed and getting out of the hospital and into your home is to enable you, paradoxically, to get out of your home and back into life. Many of our members and others with spinal cord disability remain largely unemployed after an injury and don’t involve themselves in their communities. Sports are an excellent way to motivate ourselves and to become fully participating members of society. They are also a great way to maintain health and fitness.
If winter sports are not for you, remember the main message: get out there and do something. We are here to make sure the opportunities exist. If you run up against barriers, we will help you break them down; but you need to get moving. And, remember, you can also participate in a sport by joining your family or friends on an outing to watch a game.
I would like to congratulate our seven Paralympians who will be participating in this year’s Paralympic Games in Torino, Italy. We will be rooting for you!
Gerard M. Kelly
Executive Director
