Helping those with special needs

Staff

Published Sunday, June 30, 2002

Ten years ago I had the good fortune to serve as the Anne Arundel County (Md.) Physical Fitness Committee's Chairman. One of the greatest parts of that two-year experience was being part of a group that strongly advocated fitness and recreational programs for physically challenged participants.

Perhaps the best memory was a one-up/one-down tennis tournament, in which doubles teams played against each other. One was able-bodied, the other in a wheel chair. It was a wonderful experience for all concerned.

Two days ago I ran across a Web site that had a multitude of information on programs for physically challenged athletes. What caught my eye was the vast number of programs thro-ughout the country that have been designed for sailors that are physically challenged.

The first is the Chesapeake Region Accessible Boat (CR-AB) Sail Free program. Foun-ded in 1991 this fully non-profit organization is "dedicated to providing sailing opportunities to persons with physical disabilities and their families." Based right up the Chesapeake Bay in Annapolis Maryland CRAB uses specially designed Free-dom Independence 20 Keel Slopes that are essentially unsinkable and are designed with special seats.

Normal operations has volunteer skippers and crew from CRAB (there is no paid staff) take-out groups in these specially designed vessels. There is annual two-day Regatta, the CRAB Cup, which is a qualifying race for the national disabled sailing event.

Throughout the country the United States Sailing Association coordinates Sailors With Special Needs. The Association's committee that addresses this issue has a very simple goal - to make sailing and sailboat racing available to everyone. This committee also oversees the Independence Cup, selecting the US Disabled Sailing Team, and works with the Olympic Sailing Committee selecting a team to compete in the Paralympic Regatta.

Furth-ermore, they address the issues of training, education and access to sailing and boating facilities for those with special needs.

A visit to the USSA Sailor With Special Need web site (www.ussailing.org/swsn) is truly eye-opening. Under the "Sea Tales" section, all the different SWSN programs throu-ghout the country are listed, from San Diego to St Peters-burg.

There is an entire section on adaptive equipment that shows a wide array of unique approaches to allow sailors with special need to enjoy the water despite their physical challenges. For example, there are pictures of an individual sailing in an "access dinghy" who is a quadriplegic!

One program that was especially innovative is the "Shake-A-Leg" organization in New-port, RI. There mission is "to provide maintenance, complementary, and recreational therapeutic services that develop independent living skills for individuals who have experienced spinal cord injury and related nervous system disorders." Visit their site at www.shakeleg.org.

Developing programs for sailors with special needs is another example of making the water available and safe for everyone.

Until next week - Boat Safe, Boat Smart!

LCDR DiRenzo is a regular columnist for the Suffolk News-Herald.

---

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?

---