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Paralympic Academy Inspires Young Athletes and Coaches
By John Register The inaugural Paralympic Academy, sponsored by US
Paralympics, was more than a success; it transcended my
expectations and the lives of the six children and coaches who won
trips to Athens, Greece, to experience the 12th Paralympic
Games.
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In chairs, from left: Zach Bobowski; Casandra Rightmyer; Kristen Knabel; Second row, from left: Jeannie Senter; Greta Niemenas; Ricky Egan; Pam Carey; Kelsey Paul; Susan Oglesby; Back Row, from left: John Register; Brian Wood; Yvette Jarvis; Daniel Humphreys; Jessica Wignall; Charlie Huebner. |
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The goal of the International Academy program is
to inspire children with a physical disability and the coaches who
train them by introducing them to Paralympic athletes in their
competitive environment.
This trip turned out to be more than just watching Paralympic
heroes; it really showed each of the participants what is possible
in life--whether one has a disability or not!
Six children with physical disabilities and six coaches were
selected to represent their states and disability sports programs,
based on an essay contest titled "What Ability Means to Me." The
coach selections were based on recommendations from peers,
supervisors, and the children they coached.
The student winners were: Zachary Bobowski, Blaze Sports Clubs
of America, Atlanta, Georgia; Ricky Egan, National Ability Center,
Park City, Utah; Kelsey Paul, National Sports Center for the
Disabled (NSCD), Winter Park, Colorado; Casandra Rightmyer,
Lakeshore Foundation, Birmingham, Alabama; Kristen Knabel, Frazier
Rehabilitation, Louisville, Kentucky; and Greta Neimanas,
Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC), Chicago, Illinois.
The coach winners were: Susan Oglesby, Blaze Sports Clubs of
America; Jeannie Senter, Lakeshore Foundation; Jessica Day Wignall,
National Ability Center; Daniel Humphreys, Rehabilitation Institute
of Chicago; Beth Fox, National Sports Center for the Disabled; and
Pamela Carey, HealthSouth, Louisiana.
"Ability is leaving your comfort zone. Ability is reaching for
your goals. Ability is you!" wrote Greta Neimanas, age 16, a
below-elbow amputee. The young athletes and coaches were about to
leave their comfort zones in the United States and experience the
wonders of life abroad. They would also realize many aspects of the
life of a Paralympic fan and athlete at the 12th annual Paralympic
Games.
Upon their arrival in Athens on September 16, they were given a
formal reception at the Marriott Ledra Hotel by members of the US
Paralympic staff. Some dignitaries met with the future stars,
including Prince Albert of Monaco.
Great Experiences; Inspiring Words
The participants enjoyed many outstanding experiences. For
instance, Paralympic sprinter April Holmes (Somerdale, New Jersey)
started their second day with an inspirational speech during
breakfast. Holmes, a below-knee amputee, qualified for her first
Paralympic team in three events: the 100m, 200m, and the long jump.
"But every day that I live, I want to be more than I thought I
could be,"' said Holmes, borrowing a quote from the Whitney Houston
song, "One Moment in Time."
That evening, Academy participants enjoyed the Opening
Ceremonies from a box suite at the Olympic Stadium. Early the next
morning, the participants welcomed their second guest speaker,
seven-time Paralympian Chris Waddell (Park City, Utah). A
soft-spoken winter and summer athlete, Waddell talked about his
experiences as a professional athlete, saying, "I am on the road
all the time, and I don't get a chance to stop and relax from sport
to sport." He used the lyrics from the song "The Devil Went Down to
Georgia" to convey how he feels when he is doing his event: "I'm
the best that's ever been."
By 10 AM the group had made it to the Velodrome. The excitement
grew as they watched and then met cyclist Ron Williams (Birmingham,
Alabama). "He's so hot!" said one of the young women from the
Academy group.
Greta Neimanas decided she was going to get a bike and start
pedaling her way to make the US team for Beijing, China, 2008.
At 12:30 PM the group watched the first medal ceremony for the
US after cyclists Karissa Whitsell (Springfield, Oregon) and Katie
Compton (Colorado Springs, Colorado) earned the silver in the
women's B1-3 tandem kilometer time trial with a time of
1:11.221.
The group then shifted gears and headed to the indoor hall to
watch the US men's wheelchair basketball team defeat Japan, 54-46.
Although the team got off to a slow start in the first half, it
managed the eight-point victory behind a strong second-half surge
and clutch free throws late in the game, and, of course, the loud
chants of "U-S-A" by the Academy entourage.
Another early breakfast brought in yet another Paralympic
athlete to speak to the Academy members: Travis Mohr. Travis, a
dwarf swimmer and engineer, spoke about the sacrifices it takes to
make the Paralympic Team. His statement, "Every day that you don't
practice is a day that someone else is getting better," made a
powerful impact on Casandra Rightmyer, an aspiring basketball
player. Her mother commented, "When Casandra returned home to
Alabama, we had to get to basketball practice that night, because
she is not going to miss any more practice."
Scott Douglass, assistant chef de mission (Birmingham, Alabama)
and three-time Paralympian and bronze medalist in the wheelchair
tennis doubles in 2000 in Sydney, reiterated the importance of
believing in yourself and sacrifice in order to achieve your dream.
His comments wrapped up all of the previous speakers' points very
nicely.
Later, the participants were back at the indoor hall watching
the women's wheelchair basketball team lose a heartbreaker to
Australia, 62-61.
Next stop was swimming. However, the venue was sold out. Though
some of the participants were upset about not getting in, all were
pleased to cheer on Steve Welch, Bedford, Texas, at the tennis
venue.
On the way to the tennis venue, the Academy kids ran into tennis
sensation Karin Korb (Atlanta, Georgia), who graciously took time
to speak to them about her Paralympic experiences and encourage
them to continue to pursue their dreams.
Welch cruised to a win over Japan's Tyoichi (6-1; 6-0) and came
out to meet the Paralympic kids. He took photos and signed
autographs and continued the encouraging words they were getting at
every stop.
Visiting the Village
The final surprise of the day came when the kids and coaches
were accepted to visit the Paralympic Village. "I was surprised to
see how far the Village was from the rest of Athens," observed
Greta Niemanas. Will Carlin and Sarah Billmyer gave an introduction
about what they would see in the Village. They showed where the
flag-raising ceremony would take place and where the USA dorms
were. They were also able to go to the training and relaxation
rooms for the US athletes.
"I can't believe I met Carlee [Hoffman], She was just, like,
sitting there watching TV in the village," exclaimed Melanie
Rightmyer, who, like Carlee, is a bilateral below-knee amputee.
After a quick shopping spree at the Paralympic Store, it was
back to the venue to watch track and field. Classification T11
(visually impaired) was going on in the long jump. "I was amazed
the people were jumping so far and could not see where they were
going or where they were going to land," noticed Rightmyer.
The participants then made their way back to the Royal Olympic
with dreams of Torino, Italy, and Beijing, China, dancing in their
heads.
Goodbyes and Memories
The trip ended just as fast as it began. We reflected on what
the Paralympic Academy group had learned from the athletes and
competition. The kids agreed that it was time for them to spread
the word back in the United States about just how awesome the
Paralympic Games are. They also agreed that it was their duty to
find other athletes and help bring them along, so future US teams
will be that much stronger.
The kids stayed up all night talking about their time in Athens.
Though the goodbyes were tearful, their friendships were just
beginning--and they would have lifelong memories to take home.
PARALYMPIC ACADEMY DEFINED
The Paralympic Academy is a national
youth outreach program of US Paralympics and its state partners.
The goals of the Paralympic Academy are to:
- introduce youth (12-18) to Paralympic sport;
- introduce coaches, physical educators, and other sport and
disability professionals to Paralympic sport;
- promote Paralympic sport throughout the United States via
governmental initiatives, private efforts, and media outlets;
- establish a network of support and uniform language within the
Paralympic sport movement; and
- enable local organizations to use the collective resources of
the Paralympic Academy network to enhance Paralympic sport
programs.
State Paralympic Academy
Each State Paralympic Academy is an annual event (generally
one-two days) that will consist of:
- an introduction to Paralympic sport for potential Paralympic
athletes aged 1218;
- training in Paralympic sport for physical education teachers,
coaches, and other local sport professionals;
- programs for parents, program directors, and community leaders
involved in local Paralympic sport programs;
- media initiatives to promote Paralympic sport; and
- special events to support local Paralympic sport
programs.
National Paralympic Academy
The National Paralympic Academy will be a two-day workshop and
recognition event for students, coaches, program leaders, and
donors from each State Paralympic Academy.
The National Paralympic Academy:
- will be held every two years (odd-numbered) at the US Olympic
Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado;
- will be led by Paralympic athletes and coaches;
- will recognize the best practices of state partners in
conducting Paralympic Academies; and
- will include professional education sessions for coaches,
program directors, and other disability sport professionals.
International Paralympic Academy
The International Paralympic Academy will recognize outstanding
State Paralympic Academy athletes and teachers/coaches with an
educational program held at the Paralympic Games every two years
(summer/winter).
For more information about the Paralympic Academy,
visit www.usparalympics.org/C7008EFD8B5B40E7B29B76A31132DD01.htm
or contact John Register: 719.866.2038; john.register@usoc.org 
Table Of Contents - December 2004
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