Ron Davis is aware of the perception issues that come with adapted sports, and he wants to change them. He knows that when most spectators watch a game of wheelchair basketball, for instance, they tend to see the chair first, and not the person sitting in it. That's why Davis has started a campaign for local schools to introduce adapted sports as a component of the athletic department. Teams in sports such as wheelchair basketball, football and soccer would represent the school just like those for their able- bodied peers. "It's a tough sell. The wheelchair is the first thing people see," Davis said. "But these are normal, cognitive kids. They can play the game."
Davis, a longtime trainer for the Paralympics who has been working with adapted sports for more than 20 years, is the Texas liaison for Atlanta-based American Association of Adapted Sports Programs, which already has launched successful efforts in schools in Georgia, Maryland and Alabama. Minnesota also has a separate adapted sports program in its schools.

Five times more people are living with a spinal-cord injury than doctors have thought--nearly 1.3 million-- says surprising new research and 5.5 million people in the U.S. have some degree of paralysis. The findings will help health authorities finally understand the scope of need in this largely hidden population. "There's no roadmap for somebody like me," said Alan T. Brown of Hollywood, Fla., who broke his neck 21 years ago, just before his 21st birthday. From a youth spent in wheelchair marathons, he's entering middle age suddenly needing more care, infections becoming more common so health care costs are spiraling. Beyond the overall toll, the findings paint a sobering picture of the cycle of paralysis and poverty. About a quarter of the paralyzed have an annual household income below $10,000, the report said. The Reeve foundation plans to use the findings to push for health policy change.

On August 30th Craig Finnegan will compete in a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike race, and (if that weren't enough) a 26.2 mile run as part of the Ironman Louisville Race. "When I registered for Ironman Louisville," says Finnegan, "I knew I was going to try to raise money for a charity through the Janus Charity Challenge. When researching charities I decided to focus on one that supports disabled athletes. Why? Because I've always been inspired by disabled athletes. [They may not have] the use of their legs but their heart and determination drives them to compete. My search for a charity to support brought me to People On Wheels."
People On Wheels is the only source of national and international news, sports, research and accessibility information for the nearly 8 million wheelchair users in the United States. It provides a service that able-bodied people take for granted, that is: A special interest focus on the health issues, work and leisure activities of those who-by illness or injury-share the same life challenges. Check out peopleonwheels.org today!

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