Ask any disabled athlete if they would jump at
chance to compete against able-bodied athletes, and they would probably give you an emphatic "Yes!" Whether it's crossing finish line in a track meet, or kayaking on river, having opportunity to participate in same athletic activity as an able-bodied person is goal of disabled athletes everywhere. That's also goal of World Wheelchair Sports (WWS), an organization dedicated to providing outdoor activities for people with mobility impairments. Founded in 1990 and based in Eugene, Oregon, WWS believes physical fitness is vital to everyone, regardless of disability. People of all ages throughout Pacific Northwest take part in track and field, road racing, cycling, kayaking, and other sports and recreational activities.
Best of all, many of these activities have been set up to allow disabled individuals to compete with and against their able-bodied peers. The track program, led by WWS Executive Director and former Paralympic track coach Kevin Hansen, has produced many Olympic and Paralympic medallists who have set world and national records.
"Some of our junior athletes have competed with their standing peers at regular high school track and field meets, and have earned Varsity letters," Hansen explains.
Over past several years, WWS has coordinated various wheelchair track events, including first ever exhibition race at 2002 State High School Track Championships, and annual Oregon Regional wheelchair track and field championships.
Another sport which allows disabled athletes to join their able-bodied counterparts is sailing. WWS, in conjunction with Disabled Sailing of Oregon, offers both accompanied and solo sailing activities and lessons.
"We currently have two boats in our program," Hansen says. "One is a 21-foot keelboat shared with local Sea Explorer troop. The other craft is a 25-foot Santana 525 sloop purchased in 1999 with a grant from Meyer Memorial Trust."
