May 8, 2002
Program provides sports for disabled
Adaptive Sports offers dry-land session May 13
By Carol South
Herald contributing writer
With tears streaming down her face, Ann Schlagel watched her son, John, then 12, ski down a slope at Crystal Mountain earlier this winter.
Being the mother of a disabled child - John is autistic and has Tourette's Syndrome - Schlagel is used to a different rites of passage, different rhythms of accomplishment. Small triumphs that other parents take for granted are sometimes major milestones.
So when she and her husband, Roland, agreed that John could ski last winter with the Northern Michigan Adaptive Sports program, they did so with some trepidation. They worried: would John act out, would he cry or cause a ruckus? But they kept their fears to themselves and sent him off with a brave smile.
When they arrived at the ski resort later that day, they watched their son come down the slope with the help of Northern Michigan Adaptive Sports volunteers. They saw the thousand-watt smile on his face, his pride in the accomplishment and his pleasure at soaring over the snow. Schlagel cried tears of happiness at the sight.
"It was the most amazing thing I saw," recalled Schlagel. "John loved it so much he actually inspired his father and sister; they both said if John could do it, we could do it too. My husband even bought some ski gear for next year."
For the past three years, Northern Michigan Adaptive Sports has been offering disabled people the chance to ski or participate in paddling sports, such as kayaking and canoeing. Success stories like John's, with shining eyes and eager hearts, are common.
"The biggest satisfaction is that making sports available to people who otherwise wouldn't be able to do them," said Matt Mosher, a volunteer who helps with the summer paddling program. "It's easy for somebody to go kayaking or jump into skis and go skiing. With somebody with a disability it's a lot more difficult. You can help bring somebody who's been injured back into a sport they used to do."
Mosher, who has also volunteered with the Special Olympics for 22 years, said helping out with Northern Michigan Adaptive Sports programs is very rewarding. He believes that volunteers get as much out of it as the participants do.
"With some people it is the biggest thrill, especially for people who have been disabled their whole lives," he said. "The whole thing is fun."
This month, volunteers and participants begin preparing for this summer's three paddling outings. A dry-land training session next Monday evening and an in-water one later this month will prepare everyone involved to have fun in the water safely while learning paddling skills.
Northern Michigan Adaptive Sports programs are available to people of any age with a disability. Last year, between 20-25 participants skied or paddled, assisted by more than 20 volunteers in either sport. The non-profit program is offered by Munson Medical Center's Vital Choice.
Northern Michigan Adaptive Sports also offers a recreation program for people with disabilities. Previous outings have included bowling, fishing, flying kites and touring a local cherry farm.
"We accommodate pretty much anybody with a disability," said Ann Reichert, coordinator of Northern Michigan Adaptive Sports program. "Our goal is to get these people to the point where they can be integrated into the community."
Northern Michigan Adaptive Sports will hold a dry-land training workshop on Monday, May 13, at 7 p.m. at Munson's Community Health Center. Volunteers and participants who want to paddle a canoe or kayak this summer must attend this workshop. For more information on participating in or volunteering with Northern Michigan Adaptive Sports, call Ann Reichert at 935-8684.