I got an e-mail the other day from Zurich, Switzeland concerning a website that's all about wheelchair sports videos. Newdisability's Director, a Dr. Gene Emmer has asked me to post their press release. Without further adieu:



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A Video Celebration of Wheelchair Athletes
Zurich, Switzerland -- Med Services Europe announced a Web Collection of “Cool Wheelchair Sports Videos”. According to Dr Gene Emmer, President of Med Services Europe, the free collection at NewDisability.com (direct link: http://www.NewDisability.com/videos.htm) is meant to be a “Video Celebration of Wheelchair Athletes” and to help to raise the awareness of wheelchair sports in the eyes of the public as well as the sports media.

“While the media celebrates the abilities of sports legends such as Kobe Bryant and Michael Schumacher, media attention to wheelchair athletes is minimal. Most sports writers can not name more than a few wheelchair athletes”, says Dr Emmer “But let’s see Kobe Bryant sink a 3 pointer or make a lay-up from a wheelchair.”
“Many wheelchair athletes have survived injuries that would have left the majority of us side-lined for life. They have not only come back from their injuries, they have shown us that they are heroes. But are we paying attention?” asked Dr Emmer.

“The media is simply not giving wheelchair athletes the coverage that they deserve. One of the few exceptions is the BBC, which devotes an entire section of its website to Disability Sport and regularly reports on wheelchair sporting events. They are setting an example for other leading newspapers and broadcasters around the world. Unfortunately, most of BBC’s videos are restricted to UK viewers only.”

“We are just at the beginning of building our video collection, but have already gathered a wide-range of videos representing a cross section of wheelchair sports and some exceptionally talented wheelchair athletes, including wheelchair tennis player Ester Vergeer, wheelchair basketball player Ade Adeptan, murderball player Mark Zupan and the young wheelchair skateboarder Aaron Fotheringham”

On the topic of challenges to creating the collection, Dr Emmer said,” One of our challenges is copyright issues. So instead of downloading the videos to our website, generally we create a link to the source website and the video opens directly when clicked. The risk is that each website uses different video players. Some prefer QuickTime, others Real Player and still others Media Player. Since not all computers will have all types of video players installed, some people will not be able to see all of the videos.”

“Our vision is that this will become the largest collection of wheelchair sports videos on the internet. Our hope is that it will serve as a resource for sports journalists and the public and help to raise awareness to wheelchair sports. We are asking the public to help us by suggesting cool sports wheelchair videos. And we are challenging the sports media to give these remarkable men and women the attention that they deserve.”

About Med Services Europe
Med Services Europe GmbH, a Zurich, Switzerland registered company. In addition to RehaDesign Wheelchair Gloves (http://www.newdisability.com/gloves.htm), the wheelchair gloves design for active wheelchair users, we represent Colours Wheelchairs (http://www.colourswheelchair.com) in Europe and the Middle East. We seek distributors and dealers for our products. Dealers are encouraged to contact us for more information at http://www.NewDisability.com or http://www.MedServicesEurope.com or +41764249963.

Jennifer French is a competitive sailor,, who just happens to have a spinal cord injury.I had an appointment to meet up with her last Friday at the St. Petersburg Sailing Center. Our appointment fell through because of some things in my life, (bad shoulder wound) but she graciously filled out this interview and returned it via e-mail. I am waiting for some good pix and I am more determined than ever to try sailing. In the meantime here is the interview.

Ralph: It's very nice of you to meet with me today, thank you and thanks for doing this interview.

Jen: Thank you. It’s my pleasure.

Ralph: So tell me about sailing...When did you start sailing and how did you get involved in it competitively?

Jen: Unlike many of these sailors, I was introduced to sailing by my (now) husband. He taught me how to windsurf on our second date, several years ago. From then, we enjoyed the sport of sailing various craft but did not get into racing until we moved to Florida about five years ago.

Ralph: What are the high and low points of your competitve years sailing.

Jen: Well, it really depends on the aspect. Just he ability to get out there sometime is a high in itself, especially if the breeze is up and you have a good team together. I enjoy sailing in bigger fleets rather than just a few boats, which also means competing against mostly able-bodied sailors. Probably one of my favorite moments was crossing the finish line in third place against a competitive fleet of 41 Sonars up in Marblehead, MA. Looking back and seeing all those spinnakers behind us. That was fun.

I guess low points are really what you make of them. I, personally, get frustrated with the politics of a sports admin. One of the more frustrating is when the medical classifiers determined that my blind teammate was no longer eligible to sail with under "disabled sailing". His condition did not change, but they changed the rules.

Ralph: What is it about sailing instead of any other competitive sport
that drives you.

Jen: There are several aspects of the sport that are attractive. Sailing is not only a physical sport but very much a mental sport as well. There is a lot of science involved.

Sailing is also a sport where the "disabled" can easily compete with the "able-bodied". We leave our wheelchairs, prosthetics, crutches, etc. on the docks and go compete on the water. No special privileges are given to us. Once we are on the water, we everyone is equal and every one is free game.

Ralph:I have looked at your website and it's great that your exposing more disabled people to sailing, however your last results from competion are from 2004! I googled for days to get those...Seriously though tell me how sailing alternatives came about.

Jen: Actually, I’m not involved with Sailing Alternatives anymore. Sailing Alternatives was founded in Sarasota by John Jorgensen. I’m not sure what they are doing these days.

Ralph: I also learned you are the Exec. Director of "The Society To Increase Mobility". I had never heard of it until I started researching for this interview. I have 2 questions about this.
1. What are your functions as director
2. How do you find the time to do all this?

Jen: The Society To Increase Mobility changed it’s operational name to Neurotech Network about a year ago. About three years ago, I co-founded the organization with another Board member. We found a lack of awareness epidemic regarding neurotechnology devices, which are medical devices that interact with the human nervous system to improve or restore function.

The non-profit was created for unbiased information dissemination and the assist the development of the industry. As President, I over see the operations and growth of the organization.

How do I find time? For something where you see a direct impact on people’s lives, it’s worth the extra time. I worked a lot before the injury and somethings just don’t change. I guess, if you want something done, give it to a busy person.

Ralph: I "Googled" you and there are thousands of entries, what are your other web based organizational involvements?

Jen: I don’t know if I can name everything off the top of my head. Recently, Triple Knot productions released a documentary film on our story. It won awards at the Houston film festival and is making its way around to others. It’s now being distributed by Aquarious Health Care Videos.

Ralph: You were one of the first people to have an FES implant for standing. How helpful is it for you and who in our community is it appropriate for?

Jen: The standing system is extremely helpful, however still experimental. It allows me to stand and move around using a walker. Functionally, it gives an alternative to the wheelchair. It also helps to combat secondary conditions associated with spinal cord injury such as muscle atrophy, osteoporosis, urinary tract infections, and contractures.
The system is appropriate for persons with SCI that have their peripheral nerves intact. The team at the Cleveland FES Center have implants persons as high as a C5 and down to a T12 level. It is a definite time commitment, of which I have found worth it. However, it is also a clinical study so everything is not perfect. I work with the research team to help them develop and better device.

Ralph: Tell me a little bit about your life outside of all this. Do you have children? What do you for fun?

Jen: No kids, but I have thirteen nieces and nephews. My husband, Tim, and I are pretty active. We also scuba dive, fly fish, canoe, bike. We enjoy the outdoors.

Ralph: It is obvious that having a SCI hasn't held you back from much, but what is it that you miss most about being able bodied?

Jen: Hiking mountains. I know it’s possible, but it’s just not the same.

Ralph: Is there any advice you would like to give on achieving goals that might seem impossible for a newly injured SCI?

Jen: Don’t give up. Small progress is better than no progress at all. Your attitude is everything.

Ralph: It's been a pleasure meeting you and thank you again for answering my questions.

Jen: Thanks, Ralph. I truly appreciate your coverage of so many sports.

The ITF and The British Tennis Foundation have announced the teams that will play in the Men's Doubles matches at the NEC Wimbledon Masters Series. This year's event, held on the 8th - 9th of July will feature the following pairings.

Michael Jeremiasz (FRA) and Jayant Mistry (GBR) Robin Ammerlaan (NED) and Martin Legner (AUT) Miroslav Brychta (CZE) and Tadeusz Kruszelnicki (POL) Shingo Kunieda (JPN) and Satoshi Saida (JPN)

This is only the second year at Wimbledon that wheelchair tennis, as a competitive sport, has been anything more than an exhibition. Lynn Parker, Disabilities Tennis Manager at The British Tennis Foundation had this to say about the '05 Tournament, won in straight sets by Mr's Jeremiasz and Mistry.

"Although we have had the exhibition games in the past, this tournament means we are integrated into Wimbledon and the players have had the same facilities given to them as the likes of Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova have." Quote taken from the BBC website.

This is a little off topic as far as "wheelchair sports" are concerned, but I think it's news worthy enough to include here. I have lived in Florida, in a chair, for eight years and didn't know about these agencies.

The first is the FSCIRC, the Florida Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center. Located on the Tampa General Hospital Campus, the FSCIRC'S mission statement says this,

"The Florida Spinal Cord Injury Resource Center (FSCIRC), established in January 1994, serves as the statewide clearinghouse of SCI resource information for persons who have survived an SCI, their families and friends, healthcare professionals, support groups, the media, and the general public. "

FSCIRC is actually operated by two quadriplegics, Brian Sterner and Justin Stark. In addition to there duties at the center, Brian and Justin find time to operate and play with the pro quad rugby team "Tampa Generals".

I went by and met with both of the guys a few weeks ago and they are great guys, doing great work, and they hooked me up with this next agency.

FAAST, or the "Florida Alliance for Assistive Services and Technology is located in my State Capitol of Tallahassee. Their website says,

"Our Mission is to improve the quality of life for all Floridians with disabilities through advocacy and awareness activities that increase access to and acquisition of assistive services and technology."

I contacted them about their "alternative financing" program, a program where I can borrow anywhere from $500 to $20,000 for my business ventures with this website. They have other programs, such as the "Access to Telework" program, a program where a disabled person can procure the funds and technology to start a home-based telecommunication business.

Good stuff

Photograph by Rollingpix - Nasdaq 100 Open '05

Wheelchair Tennis - My fascination with World #1 Michael Jeremaisz (FR) has subsided a bit. He still deserves coverage here. He took part in an exhibition match on the clay of Roland Garros at the French Open, defeating Ronald Vink (NED) 6-2, 4-6, 6-1. I really hope next years Open will include Chair Tennis. (read more)
In other Tennis news... David Hall (AUS) the 23 major title winner has announced his retirement from the game. The six time ITF World Champion, who I had the pleasure to photograph in competion is the greatest player in the history of men's chair tennis. (full story)

Quad Rugby - The United States defeated Great Britain today 31-26 to win the 2006 North America Cup in Birmingham, Alabama. This 5-0 run over the top 3 teams in the world bodes well for the upcoming World Championships.

I have an appointment to photograph and interview one of the 2006 US Disabled Sailing Team Members. Her name is Jennifer French and she is amazing. My appointment is for Thursday of this week at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. Stay Tuned.

- US Paralympics - Curtis Lovejoy Breaks American, PanAmerican Record in 200 Freestyle
- International Paralympics - 5 New world records in German competion
- 22nd Annual Hong Kong Wheelchair Tennis Tournament

Devoteegirls, a German website has translated and published my interview with Tyler Dieth. I think it's very cool that it's reaching a larger audience. Check out the interview here

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Picture taken from Shake-a-Leg Miami

"Since early 1995, Sailing Alternatives has been working to provide access to the water for people with special needs. " I wish their site had some updated results from the competions but everything else is very comprehensive. They have licensed therapists and all the equipment neccesary for a SCI to have a great day on the water. You can check out their site here.

MarkInglis.com via AFP - Getty Images

- Double amputee conquers Mount Everest
- Paralympics - Kenya Receives Funding to Expand Wheelchair Basketball
- Paralympics (U.S.) - Registration Deadline for 2006 U.S. Paralympics Track and Field National Championships Approaching Fast.