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I
can’t even tell you how it all started, or even how I found out about it
in the first place. But, my experiences at the First Annual Disabled
Sports USA event called Summerfest 2003 were life-changing. I found out I
needed to contact Julia Ray with Disabled Sports USA for more information.
I only had a few weeks before the event was to take place and I had no
clue how I would be able to attend, where to stay, how to get there and
all those important little details. Money being an issue, I asked if
there was any way I could perform some sort of work to earn the
entrance/registration fees. Within what seemed like minutes, I had an
answer via e-mail. Julia informed me I wouldn’t have to work for the fees.
All I needed was transportation, lodging, meals etc… Having worked out
these details, I now had to choose which of the many interesting, fun, and
challenging activities I would register for.
I saw windsurfing and knew I had to give it a try. I have just met some
fellow amputees who surf and invited me to be a part of their
organization. They called it
www.ampsurf.com. Having been interested in surfing as a kid, I wanted
to tackle my childhood fears and try it as a one-legged adult. After all
what’s the worst that could happen? Shark attack?!!! I will just stick my
prosthetic leg in his mouth and he can bite away. Ok, all joking aside,
Monday, June 23rd. 2003 I went to the windsurfing clinic where I met Art
Stevens. This guy was awesome! First he gave me a demonstration in the
sand. Then, he helped me choose the right board and sail for a guy my size
(we won’t go into that for now). I walked into the water and he said “you
will get wet, everyone does”. I climbed on and surfed about 100’ give or
take a few. Wow! I actually did it! Then splash, off I went into the
water. Ok, now I felt initiated as a beginning windsurfer. I climbed back
on the board and Art told me to head the opposite direction. I didn’t like
the sounds of this. He wanted me to go upwind. Well he got in the water
and began to run (or maybe walk) alongside me all the way back up the
beach. Yes, I fell many more times but, that was all part of it, After a
few more runs up and down the beach my body was aching especially my one
foot which was trying to do all of the balancing. I had to just have one
good run against the wind before I could stop and feel I had achieved
something. Well, with Art’s patience and my determination we made it. It
may not have looked pretty, but I did it! And what’s more I was at a point
where I felt I could do it again without having Art chase me up and down
the beach.
After I rested up. Art took me and a young lady sailing. I was able to
steer the boat as Art taught us some of the basics. What a treat! How
relaxing. I learned a lot, had a lot of fun, and had a great time.
Tuesday was the last day for me. Though the Summerfest was a weeklong
event, I had previous engagements scheduled Wednesday through Friday
afternoon. So, I really had ambitious plans to get in as much as I could
Tuesday.
Well, it started off with water-skiing. I had enjoyed this activity
before. When I had two legs! How would I be able to ski with my remaining
leg, which is held together with steel plates and screws? This is where I
met Haaken. After a lot of struggling with my pride, Haaken convinced me
to use a sit ski. I struggled with my self-image a lot when I still had
both legs. The thought of having to use a sit ski was really hard for me.
Especially since a fellow amputee skied before me using a single ski with
HER single leg. Why is it that the fact she is a “female” made it even
harder for me to take the advice of the professional and use the sit ski?
I am old enough and have learned enough of life’s lessons the hard way so
I took the advice of the pro.
Well, for starters I had to take off my prosthetic leg so it wouldn’t come
off when I disembarked the sit ski. I feel so awkward with my “leg” off.
Again, I listened to Haaken who said this would be best for me.
After getting my a*# in the “cradle” as they call it, I got positioned and
yelled, “hit it”. Well before I knew it I was up and skiing! They had it
rigged so the rope was attached to the ski and I could pull it out of the
attachment when I was ready to take “control”. So, I pulled up on the rope
and went out of the wake! I was so excited I yelled whooohoo! And shortly
after I hit the wake and drank half the lake. I forget if it was Carol or
Cindy? I think it was Carol, she followed me on a jet ski and was right
there for me when I fell off. She helped me get situated in the cradle and
away I went again. I would ski for a while grab the rope attempt some
stunts and crash! I had so much fun!! As I am writing this piece I am
welling up with tears as I relive this experience and realize this was the
most FUN I have had in two and a half years since my accident which cost
me numerous broken bones as well as the break which required amputation of
my right leg below the knee.
Moving right along, I took one of the many “shuttles” offered by
volunteers, to the rock wall where I met the world famous Mark Wellman. He
is the paraplegic park ranger who climbed El Capitan and Half Dome with
the use of only his upper body. As I imagined, this guy was huge, muscle
wise. Can you imagine doing 7000 pull-ups to get up a mountain? OK, enough
of a plug for Mark. I watched some other people go up the wall, including
a young lady who had no use of her legs. She would not give up! She kept
inching up the wall, She made it! I was so inspired watching her do that.
Then came my turn! I was still sore from the water-skiing, but I too made
it to the top, it was very hard for me. I could hear Mark down below,
cheering me on, I made it! Wow, first my success water skiing and now rock
climbing! What else could I do? Well it just so happens that after I
finished my climb a group of participants were just getting ready to leave
on a cycling trip down the beach path. I was fitted with a helmet and
given a $3,000.00 recumbent bike to use and off we went! This was an
ultimate way to top the day off. We had about a ten-mile ride along the
beach and it was so comfortable and relaxing. For a while I rode next to a
guy who is a bilateral above-the-knee amputee. He had his own custom hand
cycle. This was a great way to spend time with other participants. I
enjoyed the social aspects of the bike ride.
Later that afternoon the folks from D.S.U.S.A. had another treat lined up
for us. First was an excellent presentation by Hangar Prosthetics and
Orthotics where I learned about some of the important advancements being
made in this field.
Next, was an awesome presentation by Dana Bowman. I was impressed with his
presentation. It was encouraging and uplifting. He was so humble and has
achieved so much. Many of his most impressive achievements were goals he
achieved after his accident. These were things, which would be hard for
anybody, and I imagine even harder for a bilateral amputee.
After the presentations I had the privilege of talking with the two
presenters. This was very uplifting for me. I also gathered some extremely
important information regarding my prosthesis and the problems I have been
experiencing.
Keep in mind, I did all of this in just two days.
Friday night my wife and I returned from our other excursion and made it
back down to Long Beach to take part in the closing banquet. What a treat!
What a great way to wrap up the week. This event has been a life changing
experience for me. I would definitely recommend it to anyone with any
disability. I actually feel sorry for the non-disabled community who don’t
get a chance to experience something like this! This has been the one time
in my life, where I have felt “good” about being an amputee. I was
rewarded as a result of losing my leg. So many of our day-to-day
experiences are the opposite. This is great therapy for everyone involved.
I would like to thank Julia Ray; without her hard work, I would have never
made it. I thank D.S.U.S.A for having an event like this. Thank you to the
many generous companies who helped make it possible. Thank you most of all
to the volunteers who gave so freely of their time, energy, equipment and
themselves. You Made A Difference for me. Thank you!
Greg Birkholz aka PegLegGreg
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