DR Yachting in Athens, Greece is a full service "disabled yachting" company. I have read there whole site and this a small excerpt from the massive list of how much this company has done for people with disabilities to enjoy a top notch sailing vacation in Greece.

"In order to offer the joys of sailing and relaxed and happy vacations to disabled guests, we made the following adjustments to our sailing yachts:
We created a “catwalk” sized 2.5m long and 90cm wide, with 10cm heightened borders (in order to avoid any accidents while a wheelchair is on its way in or out). There is a rail on one side that supports walking persons." (read more)

Here is their site, with many pictures, and the available itineraries.

Everyday I search for interesting stories to post here. There are so many amazing people with disabilities, both men, women, and children that push the standards of "ability' and force new definitions, and perceptions of what that word means.

There are the sailors, Vinny Lauwers, a paraplegic, who sailed around the world by himself. Hilary Lister, the quad that crossed the channel. Mike Rowney, a para that is circling Australia for charity, and Nick Scandone, the third disabled man in 10 years to win the "Open 2.4 metre World Championships.

There are the pushers like Rick Hansen, the Canadian para that pushed 40,000 km's around the world, raising $26 mil. for charity. Vasile Stoica, the Romanian para that pushed around the world. Peter Rieke, who climbed Mts Hood, Shasta and Rainier using only his arm strength.

I have alot of work to do but I will make every effort to show people that "dis" ability is a meaningless, arbitrary term. Everybody needs help sometimes.

Paralinks.net - "The Electronic magazine for people with disabilities. Worlds wheelchair culture. Social and Human interest. Check it out.

Nick Scandone of Fountain Valley, California is among the 9 male nominees for the "2005 Rolex Yachtsman of the year." Among his many accomplishments this year Nick won first place at Open Worlds 2.4 meter championships. He is the third disabled sailor in 10 years to win the Open Worlds, and defeated seven former world champions in the process.

- 2.4 Metre World Championship, Italy (1st/88 boats)
- IFDS Disabled Sailing World Championship, Denmark (6th/31 2.4 Metres)
- U.S. Independence Cup/North American Challenge Cup, Chicago, IL (1st/10 2.4 Metres)
- America’s Disabled/Open Regatta, St. Petersburg, FL (1st/8 2.4 Metres)
- Naples Sabot Senior Nationals, Long Beach, CA (4th/18 boats)
- US SAILING Rolex Miami OCR, FL (3rd/18 2.4 Metres)
- Disabled Midwinters, St. Petersburg, FL (4th/12, 2.4mR)
- 2005 US Disabled Sailing Team-member (1st/3 2.4 Metres)

I'm bummed....Nobody bid on my ad for body advertising.I was really hoping to go to Torino. The paralympics are 71 days away and I just don't have the money to go the sailing regatta's and Torino. Oh well, maybe Beijing in '08.

I really have no idea why she helped me with a TOTAL redesign of the template for this site. I appreciate it greatly, and now it is "dis" abled friendly! Thanks Donna, check out the Accessify site here

Photos and Content used with permission of Mike Rowney.

Mike Rowney is a paraplegic, a sailor and a philanthropist, after sustaining an eight meter fall and breaking his back he is back in the water. The "Around Australia Challenge" is about sailing around Australia, single handed, to raise money for the Wheel Chairs for Kids Charity, and prove that big dreams can happen.

"This trip means a lot to me, not only is it a completion of the odyssey I began in Greece in 2001, but also it's a chance to give something back for what I have received. There is a saying- "Life is a storm. You bask in the sunlight one moment to be shattered on the rocks in the next. It's what you do when that storm comes"

Check out the site here.

Taken from USOLYMPIC, by Rick Patzche

"STEVENS POINT, Wis. - Team USA for the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games has been announced after completion of the 2006 Paralympic Trials this weekend in Utica, N.Y. The five-person team will be comprised of Jim Joseph (New Hartford, N.Y.), Jim Pierce (North Syracuse, N.Y.), Danell Libby (Chatham, N.Y.), Wes Smith (Glenburn, Maine) and Augusto Perez (East Syracuse, N.Y.)."

I signed up at a forum for web-designers that specializes in "accessifying"
websites for people with various types of disabilities. In the interest of making this site as good as it can be I will be implementing some design changes.

If you are designing a site, or already have one, check them out here

Jayant Mistry, the U.K.'s #1 wheelchair tennis player, scooped a couple of sports awards on the year when he was named 'Disabled Player of the Year' at the Lawn Tennis Association Awards at the Hurlingham Club, London, and BBC East Midlands 'Disabled Sportsman of the Year' at the De Montfort Hall, Leicester.

Jayant is a great player and multiple title winner in this year, 1 single, (New York,) and 9 doubles titles, including the first Wimbledon Doubles event ever. His current doubles partner, Michael Jeremiasz, is the World's #1 in singles and doubles.

I have always thought that "cybernetic" technologies would provide for people with spinal injuries long before stem cell therapies. Japan's Yoshiyuki Sankai, a professor and engineer at Tsukaba University developed the "HAL" project. HAL stands for hybrid assisted limb, and detects muscle movement through electrical signals on the skin and amplifies them. read more

Two control systems interact to help the wearer stand, walk and climb stairs. A "bio-cybernic" system uses bioelectric sensors attached to the skin on the legs to monitor signals transmitted from the brain to the muscles. It can do this because when someone intends to stand or walk, the nerve signal to the muscles generates a detectable electric current on the skin's surface. These currents are picked up by the sensors and sent to the computer, which translates the nerve signals into signals of its own for controlling electric motors at the hips and knees of the exoskeleton. It takes a fraction of a second for the motors to respond accordingly, and in fact they respond fractionally faster to the original signal from the brain than the wearer's muscles do.

Homepage of the "HAL" suit.

Here is a page of other "exoskeletons" a wikipedia about "cybernetics"

Photo used with permission of Magnus L.

Taken from TeamParadise:

"Miami, Fl. ­ A group of veteran Olympic sailors from around the world have announced the establishment of the first ever program to pair Olympic medallists with the disabled, in an effort to ensure that physically challenged athletes, including the blind, become strong enough sailors to participate in, and become champions at, the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China."

"Magnus Liljedahl, winner of the Star Class Sailing 2000 Olympic Gold Medal for the USA, is spearheading the newly named TeamPARADISE effort in Coconut Grove, Florida. The program, which teaches racing skills to the disabled, is being established under the auspices of Shake-A-Leg Miami (SALM), one of the largest, fully accessible community water sports center in the world."

As you all should know, I am trying to get more jobs together and I called Magnus today about photographing their sailors during the 2006 Rolex Miami OCR. I explained to him who I was, and what I was doing. I asked him if they needed a photojournalist to cover the team and his response was "the more the merrier". I will have (hopefully) full license to photograph the athletes and use my pix and articles for submission to magazines etc. As always I will keep you informed.

Story taken from USOlympics: by Martin Olberding

"COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – U.S. Paralympics, along with head sled hockey coach Keith Blasé, announced the 15 men who have been nominated for the 2006 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team at the World Arena in Colorado Springs Sunday. " (read more )

Hilary Lister is a "dis"abled woman from the United Kingdom, she has "reflex sympathetic dystrophy" a proggresive disease that has paralysed her from the neck down. She just took up sailing a few years ago, and using "sip and puff" technology was able to become the first quadriplegic to sail across the English Channel. Here is the interview I wrote her.

Ralph:Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, and congratulations on your award "Helen Rollason Award for Inspiration." That must have been very cool.

Hilary: I was the last person I expected to be nominated for, let alonereceive, the award. I really do feel very humbled. All I did was go for asail with some mates for a day. I couldn't have been more surprised,especially as my Mum had pointed out that there were steps up onto the stage(she got it wrong, she just couldn't see the ramp!) It was an amazing night.

Ralph:What is it you like most about most about sailing?

Hilary: Like most sailors, I think that it's the freedom. On the water I'm my own person, and I love the wind and water. It feels like flying!

Ralph:Do you follow the careers of any of the "pro" disabled female sailors like Jennifer French of the U.S?

Hilary: A little, but I have only been sailing for a very short period of time, and all my sailor mates are able-bodied, so I tend to spend most of my time following them.

Ralph: Do you have any plans for competition? The paralympic trials and the IFDS disabled sailing championships are just around the corner.

Hilary: I enjoy sailing on the sea, and my preference is for long-distancesailing. I haven't done much racing, but it gets crowded, and I like thesolitude you get on the ocean.

Ralph: What would you say to a young woman that wanted to get into sailing?

Hilary: Just go for it! There is bound to be a club relatively near you,even if you live far inland there are reservoirs and rivers.

Ralph: On your website you talk about sailing around the British Isles, goodluck with that and keep me informed, you really deserve that award. Till next time.__

To find out more about Hilary check out ChannelChallenge

The "official" story: "Tank Chair is a Custom off-road wheelchair that can go anywhere outdoors. Conquers Streams, Mud, Snow, Sand, and Gravel, allowing you to get back to nature, and can also climb up and down stairs. For every 10 chairs sold, TankChair is going to donate one to a fire department in a rural area so that they can give it away to someone who would not normally be able to afford one. The first is going to go to Parker Fire Department in Arizona. This is our hometown and they were the ones who rescued my wife, my kids, and myself when we got in the accident that put her in the chair."

Oh my goodness! "TankChair" the pictures should say it all, but I just got off the phone with Brad @ TankChair and he said a new model is in the works. The potentially 12 mile an hour - Brad: "I wouldn't reccomend it" boasts, tank style trac-drive, spiral cell batts, 15 mile charge, self levelling seat and other "bells and whistles.

Check out the Image gallery, or better yet,Videos

Brad told me he was even making one for a blind gent, w/ proximity sensors and surround sound. YEE-HAH. At a sugg. $15,000 to $18,000 price I might just get another loan. That or sell a leg to cannibals, don't use them anyway. j/k..well maybe..

Pictures and content used with permission of TankChair.

Sally Woods, a British wheelchair marathon racer was awarded "Disabled Sports Personality" in the U.K.

I learn new stuff about disabled sports everyday, the 3rd Asian Paralympic Games started today.

"Manila will be hosting the Para Games for the very first time. The event, which will be held on December 14-20, 2005, is considered the biggest sporting event for the disabled sector in the SEA regional level. Most of the events will be held at the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex Manila, while athletes and officials will be billeted in selected Manila hotels."

Taken from their official website.

"The 18th annual The Hartford Ski Spectacular was held in Breckenridge, Colorado, Dec. 4-11. It is the nation's largest winter sports event for people with physical disabilities and includes men's and women's NorAm slalom and giant slalom races in standup and sit-ski categories.(read more)

Congrats go out to Zupan and the boys, winners of the 2005 Pasadena Open. They won a low scoring "34-30" championship game over the Denver Harlequins. Check out the Stampede @ FeartheSteer.

The ITF and NEC have finalized the 2006 Calendar. Download the pdf. 268k.
There have also been a few changes. You can read about them on the ITF here.

85 days until the IX (that's 9th) Paralympic games. Check out the site here.M,

Operating a blog really is a labor of love. Between the templates, add-ons, coding, and providing content, it's very easy to knock-off 8 hours a day. I am in the process of listing my blog in a number of blog directories to get some more traffic. If ypou have a blog, click on any, or all of them, sign up and start getting traffic. The ones I'm using are in the left sidebar.

I made a call to Canon U.S.A's P.R. department today, asking them to donate some equipment to assist me with my photojournalism. The EOS Digital SLR I bought in March '05 has served me very well, but the lenses and extra equipment are to much for my pocket. You can look at my old equipment, and how I take pictures here.

2006 Rolex Miami OCR:

"US SAILING has announced that on-line registration for the 2006 US SAILING Rolex Miami OCR is now open. A mainstay on the winter circuit for Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls, the 17th Annual US SAILING Rolex Miami OCR is expected to bring together hundreds of sailors from about 30 countries to Biscayne Bay from January 22-27, 2006. "(read more)

The IFDS World Disabled Sailing Championships are being held in Perth, Australia between Jan. 16th and the 25th. (read more) There is no way I can afford to go to Perth, but the Rolex OCR is 3 hrs from my house and has 2.4 mr and Sonar paralympic qualifiying. I used to live down there and with the 10+ world-class sailing tournaments going on, I should get some good pix.

Photo by Kelvin Brown.
Story taken from dlf.org.uk."

Stars of sports, music, film and TV are amongst a number of high profile personalities who have decorated walking sticks for an online auction supporting the work of the Disabled Living Foundation (DLF), a national charity providing information on disability equipment. The customised walking sticks will be auctioned on eBay in the lead up to Christmas, with bidding taking place from the 9th – 19th December 2005.

Amongst the walking sticks up for grabs are ones decorated by Annie Lennox, Graham Norton, Emma Thompson, Sir Ian McKellen, EastEnders’ star Michelle Ryan, the Williams F1 team , players from Everton FC and Charles Kennedy, leader of the Liberal Democrats." (read more)

Some of you may remember my posting about "chair skating," or "wheelchair skateboarding. I don't really know how to define or explain either term, I guess it is best left up to Tyler Deith himself in an interview he gave me over the weekend. Cool huh?

Ralph: It says on your site you have been wheeling around for three
years now. How did you get in the chair? (I broke my neck in a diving
acident seven years ago b/t/w.)

Tyler: Motorcycle accident. October 1st 2001. I was 21, went off the road on my way to work. I used to work at the airport as an airplane mechanic.I broke my spine at T-6.

Ralph: It's obvious from your videos you live a VERY active, some would say crazy life for a person in a chair. What drives you, motivates you to drop in on a ramp?

Tyler: I get restless mostly, I think its just a good thing to do. It lets me feel normal.

Ralph: Have you had any serious injuries from your activities? In the "Bails Section" on your video page you have had some wicked looking crashes.

Tyler: Nothing to serious I've had a broken arm, broken toe, sprained wrist, a torn out shoulder, few cuts and bruises.

Ralph: I do photography as my hobby/part time job. How involved are you with the filming and production of your videos?

Tyler: My website was put together by a friend of mine Dave. I've been at it for about the past year or so and I enjoy it.

Ralph: What plans do you have for the future of your site and sports hobbies? I see you going a long way.

Tyler: I just got back from California two weeks ago. I had a good time. Bought a new wheelchair called a Colours. Its a much nicer ride. I have about a foot of snow outside, so just taking it easy and relaxing. I do a bit of construction work on my house, and working on an ultralight airplane. Planning a trip somewhere in the new year, Florida would be nice.

Ralph: Is there any message you have for people in chairs, or for people who percieve people in chairs as "less able"?

Tyler: Life rolls on.

Ralph:Thanks for this interview. It's damn cold in Ontario, if you want to come to Florida again, I have the hook up, thanks again and talk to you soon.

Tyler: OK

Click here to check out Tyler's site, and if your in a chair, get in it and do something with yourself.I agree with you Tyler, life really does "roll on."

I have posted about the BBC (British Broadcast Corp,) and their massive free online radio broadcasts. You need Realplayer to listen to the shows, if you don't have it download the free player. They have the best radio stations, very little (if any) censorship, and great DJ's. I guess the 7 + million person population craves good music, and they get it fo' sho'.

My personal recommendations are.

• 1. Annie Nightingale. Thursday night, Breaks, Beats, and mixes.
• 2. Pete Tong. Friday night, Techno mix show.
• 3. Friday night - Hip Hop and Reggae Dancehall w/ Tim Westwood and Chris Goldfinger.

If you already have the Realplayer go to the BBC Homepage and click "Listen Live." As Ali G says "Big up all the London massiff!"

I sent an e-mail over to Chris @ Quadfather.net today. It's a great site, with profiles of the "murderballers," pictures, forum, events and gear. My e-mail said this,

Hi Chris,Thanks for all your hard work with quadfather.net. I own, operate and administer http://www.rollingpix.blogspot.com. I get about 2,000 hits per day and I would like to set a link to your site on my homepage

Chris responded - That would be phenomenal, Thanks !!

I'll add your link to mine too.

This site of mine is really starting to get some pop!

Buy this movie. NOW!

Three tournaments starting this week on three different continents.

Prague Cup Czech Indoor 2005:Prague, Czechoslovakia - $6,000 Euro's prize money.

La Classique Internationale OPHQ 2005:
Quebec, Canada - $11,000 U.S. Prize money.

Central Coast Open 2005:
NSW. Australia. $1,500 AUS.

I will post the winners when they are available.