I have been asking the question why for years.  Unfortunately there is no
answer.

Kathy Jo
AOL Instant Messenger ScreenName KJPink
ICQ UIN # 16632777
http://homepages.msn.com/WindowsWay/kjpink/
SafetyEd International's WebSite:  http://www.safetyed.org










----- Original Message -----
From: Bobby Greer <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, June 02, 2000 5:18 PM
Subject: Re: Just a little tidbit


> Your perception is quite interesting, Yvonne, and contrasts with my
"narrow
> disabity" perception.
>
>         Straight out I thought you have to be disabled to compete in a
> wheelchair. Then you ask, "Why?" and it is difficult for me to conjure a
> logical response. If one had upper body strength and had used a manual
> chair for quite sometime, that person would be normally more adept at
using
> a wheelchair than their nondisabled couterpart. Now let me say I am not a
> wheelchair user, so in that sense you and I are both laymen on this
> subject. So I do not know what my objection would be accept most people
> consider wheelchair users as disabled.
>  Food for thought.
>
> Bobby
>
> >Thanks, Bobby. I feel the same way about your posts. I really enjoy this
> >list - you are all terrific. I feel at home here and I am learning so
much.
> >
> >I have a question, though about your response to my post. Are you saying
> >it is ridiculous for them to compete in wheelchair racing? I took it the
> >other way - if wheelchair racing IS a legitimate sport, then why would
> >anyone be barred from participating regardless of ability? As I
understand
> >it, there is no physical advantage in the race. Wouldn't it be
> >discrimination to exclude based on ability? These are serious competitors
> >- they train regularly. One got into it  as a form of upper body
training.
> >And as I said, in Canada one does not have to be disabled to compete in
> >this sport.
> >
> >I'm not trying to be funny or rude... I just would like to know what
> >people think and why.
> >
> >I also read an article recently about sailing. Can't remember all the
> >details but there are some Canadian companies that have manufactured
> >adaptive equipment to allow even severely disabled sailors to race. One
> >system involves controlling the boat with puffs of breath. One sailor
> >interviewed was quadriplegic (I'm not sure of the cause) but with the
> >equipment can sail independantly. He was quoted as saying it is
> >exhilarating and gives him a sense of freedom. Since he can now easily
> >sail, it puts him on  par with others with lesser degree of disability or
> >those with no disabilities. He also said the race outcome was then
> >determined by SAILING SKILL as opposed to level of physical ability. Any
> >thoughts?
> >
> >Yvonne
> >
> >
> >>>> [log in to unmask] 06/02/00 05:15PM >>>
> >Yvonne,
> >
> >        I vaguely remember hearing about this, but I did not hear about
their
> >rediculous explanation. Sounds like something my university students
would
> >say.
> >Unbelievable! Who needs fiction when you look at what goes on.
> >
> >        I wanted to say how much I enjoyed your posts to the list. They
are
> >very
> >informative and up beat. Thanks.
> >
> >Bobby
> >
> >
> >>This reminded me of something I was going to ask the list a while ago. I
> >>don't know if anyone read about this but in the recent Boston Marathon 2
> >>Canadians were disqualified for doing the course in wheelchairs. They
are
> >>able-bodied athletes who participate regularly in wheelchair racing as a
> >>sport ( this is apparently allowed in Canada). They say that wheelchair
> >>racing is a sport of it's own and don't feel they have an advantage -
that
> >>in fact, the playing field, so to speak, is levelled for TAB and
disabled
> >>athletes alike. I was wondering what you all think about this.
> >>
> >>Yvonne
> >>
> >>>>> [log in to unmask] 06/01/00 10:17AM >>>
> >>TODAY IN HEALTH HISTORY
> >>=======================
> >>
> >>Rolling Along
> >>
> >>When the first national wheelchair games were held on this date
> >>in 1957, 75 individuals paralyzed from the chest down from the
> >>U.S. and Canada competed.  The games, held at Adelphi College,
> >>Garden City, N.Y., included the 60-yard dash, javelin throwing,
> >>table tennis, and other team and individual events.  Three years
> >>later the first paralympics were held in Rome and have been held
> >>every four years since.  At the last games in 1996, some 4,000
> >>athletes from 102 countries competed in everything from archery
> >>to basketball, cycling and fencing.
> >>
> >>Copyright InteliHealth, Inc., 1998-2000.  All rights reserved.
>