ATHLETES WITH DISABILITIES NETWORK NORTHEAST CHAPTER is dedicated to creating awareness and offering mentoring and opportunities for local athletic, recreational and education activities for those with physical disabilities, especially for veterans and first responders.
“There’s No Replacement for Competitive Spirit”
In 2006, at the age of 11, Victoria Arlen developed a strong pain in her side. It turned into a fight for survival – she was diagnosed with 2 extremely rare neurological conditions which attacked her spine and brain, leaving her in a vegetative state. Doctors said it was a hopeless situation and told her parents if she survived (and it was likely she wouldn’t), she would never walk or talk or function normally. The diseases would leave her with severe neurological deficits. In Victoria’s own words: “In the experts’ eyes there was nothing that could be done. Except they failed to realize one thing….
“I was still here.”
She was locked inside a body that was unable to speak or move, unable to tell the doctors or her family that she could still think and hear.
The PyeongChang 2018 Paralympic Winter Games are taking place between March 9 and March 18th this year, featuring up to 670 athletes, a 24 per cent increase on the 539 athletes that competed at Sochi 2014 with a 44 per cent increase in the number of female athletes. Athletes compete in 80 medal events across six sports: cross-country skiing, biathlon, ice hockey, snowboard and wheelchair curling.
The 41st Annual Empire State Building Run-Up is the first and most famous tower race in the world, challenging runners to race up its famous 86 flights – 1,576 steps, a vertical distance of 1,050 feet. The 2018 ESBRU took place on Wednesday evening, February 7th, sponsored by Turkish Airlines and joined by the Challenged Athletes Foundation. CAF is the world leader in helping people with physical challenges lead active and healthy lifestyles and encouraging independence.
More than 200 people from around the world raced up the 86 stories to the famed observation deck. The CAF runners fundraise to help raise awareness and much-needed donations so people with permanent physical challenges gain access to adaptive sports equipment, athletic training, an active lifestyle, community and mentorship. Each CAF runner raises a minimum of $2500 for the charity.
In 1965, Dick Traum, 24, was filling his gas tank at a gas station when the car behind him jumped forward and crushed him between the 2 cars. As a result of his injuries, his right leg had to be amputated. In 1976, Dick found himself out of shape and approaching middle age. He decided to do something about it – he joined a YMCA and began running, small distances at first and building up to miles. By the end of the year, he became the first amputee to successfully complete the New York City Marathon.
The experience brought a strong sense of achievement and self-esteem. In 1983, Dick created the Achilles Track Club, now called Achilles International, to give that same life-changing experience to others with disabilities.
“Somehow, I wasn’t upset. When you lose a leg, there’s no ambiguity. You get an artificial leg and keep going.” (IMDb Mini Biography By: woodyanders)