[Sportsandrec] FW: USABA to Host Developmental Cycling Camp for Riders with Disabilities

Tue Sep 15 21:18:25 UTC 2009

  _____  

From: U.S. Association of Blind Athletes [mailto:etap at usaba.org] 
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 1:18 PM
To: Christella Garcia
Subject: USABA to Host Developmental Cycling Camp for Riders with
Disabilities

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                              For More
Information Contact:  
September 15, 2009
Pam Fernandes, Camp Coordinator
Phone: (781) 449-9563
pamala at quik.com
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 "Learn To Race" Cycling Camp Offered to Riders with Disabilities
Military Service members with eye injuries and physical disabilities
included as a part of rehabilitation process

 (Colorado Springs, Colorado) - September 12-19, 2009, the United States
Association of Blind Athletes (USABA), is hosting a Developmental Cycling
Camp for Riders with Disabilities at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in
Colorado Springs, CO. Partnering organizations include U.S. Paralympics,
U.S. Hand Cycling, Disabled Sports USA.

Cyclists with physical disabilities and sensory impairments will learn
advanced bike handling skills and road racing strategies.  Instruction in
track riding is also provided to the 22 participating athletes including
blind and visually impaired cyclists and their sighted pilots, who ride
tandem bikes; cyclists with lower mobility impairments, who use hand cycles;
cyclists with cerebral palsy or head injury who use both standard bikes and
amputee cyclists who ride either single bikes or hand cycles. Veterans and
active duty service members who sustained physical and sensory disabilities
as a result of service in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring
Freedom are participating in the camp including SPC Steven Baskis (Forest
Park, IL), U.S. Army active duty who sustained shrapnel injuries to his
eyes, upper and lower extremities in an IED attack in Iraq.

"This is an outstanding opportunity for cyclists who want to increase their
riding knowledge and experience. We will also identify athletes who will go
on and compete for the United States in future regional and national events,
and for some, the Paralympic Games", said Mark Lucas, Executive Director of
the U.S. Association of Blind Athletes. 

Camp staff will include certified cycling coaches, a certified mechanic and
guest speakers from a variety of sports related fields. Several current
Paralympic cyclists may join a ride or speak with attendees to share their
experiences.

Riders attending camp will be on their bikes twice per day participating in
skill drills, practicing safe riding techniques and competing in race
simulations. "We will help network interested riders into their local riding
and racing communities as much as possible and provide a schedule of future
race opportunities," said Pam Fernandes, camp coordinator and former
Paralympic medalist.

Whatever the outcome for each rider, the goal of the camp is to foster a
passion for riding and staying physically fit. After completing camp, some
participants will choose to become recreational riders while others will
strive to become Paralympic champions. No matter which road athletes choose,
the camp opens new opportunities for sports and recreation to people with
physical disabilities. In the past, some camp attendees have gone on to
become Paralympic and World Champions, setting National, World and
Paralympic Records. 

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 The United States Association of Blind Athletes enhances the lives of blind
and visually impaired people by providing the opportunity for participation
in sports and physical activity. Additional funding to the camp for military
applicants is available through USABA's Mission Vision program:
http://www.usaba.org.  

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 United States Handcycling Federation, Inc. is a non-profit corporation
designed to create integrated cycling opportunities for wheelchair users and
athletes with lower-mobility impairments:  http://www/ushf.org

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Disabled Sports USA providess the opportunity for individuals with
disabilities to gain confidence and dignity through participation in sports,
recreation and related educational programs:  http://www.dsusa.org
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US Paralympics,a division of the US Olympic Committee is dedicated to
becoming the world leader in the Paralympic sports movement and promoting
excellence in the lives of people with physical disabilities.
http://www.usparalympics.org