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| << November03, 2004 - November 3, 2004, Issue 3 |
December01, 2004 - December 1, 2004, Issue 5 >> |
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================================================= Adaptive Sports & Recreation November 17, 2004 Vol. 1, Issue 4 ================================================= Stephen Michael Kerr, Publisher stevekerr@ev1.net Copyright 2004, Stephen Michael Kerr. ================================================= Privacy Policy ================================================= Your privacy is very important to me. Your e-mail address will never be sold, shared, or distributed with anyone. You may forward copies of this newsletter to friends and family, and encourage them to subscribe. If you feel you have received this ezine in error, you may unsubscribe at any time; information on how to unsubscribe is at the bottom of this message. ================================================= In This Issue ================================================= - From The Publisher - Spotlight: Experiencing the World On a Bike by Stephen Michael Kerr - Profile: Martial Arts Pro Kicks Way To Top - In The News - Keeping Fit: Stretching Exercises by John Gibb - On Deck - Contact Information ================================================= Feature Ad ================================================= Like our Newsletter? Please vote for our ezine! Visit: http://www.ezine-marketing.com/cgi-bin/ezsearch/vote.cgi?ID=1094716097 ================================================= From The Publisher ================================================= Welcome to Adaptive Sports & Recreation, the free ezine delivered to your inbox every other Wednesday. You'll read fascinating articles about baseball for the blind, wheelchair hockey, and other unique sports. There's even a health and fitness section that anyone, disabled or not, will enjoy. Your feedback is always welcome. Please e-mail me at: stevekerr@ev1.net ********** If you're into marathons, you probably know the New York City Marathon took place Nov. 7. Congratulations to the winners of each division, and to everyone who trained hard for a chance to compete in the race. The winners of the Wheelchair Division are featured in our "In The News" section of this issue. But sometimes, winning isn't just about being the first to cross the finish line. It's also about overcoming obstacles to cross the finish line at all. I read an article in the New York Times about Bill Reilly of Brooklyn, who completed his 15th New York City Marathon at 6:49 Pm, almost 11 hours after he began. Reilly, 52, has severe cerebral palsy and competes in a wheelchair. He is not able to elevate his legs, and his arms barely function. The only way he can maneuver the course is to ride backwards and push with his feet. A number of people, including police officers, cheered Reilly as he made his way to the finish line. I'd like to personally salute Reilly, and countless others like him, who prove every day that people with disabilities can make a difference. That's part of what this newsletter is all about. ********** As we get closer to Thanksgiving, my house is getting ready to entertain both sides of the family. I'm making it my goal not to eat so much that I feel as if I'm going to burst. (Hey, I did it last year; I bet I can do it again). I'd like to wish you and your family a safe and pleasant Thanksgiving. Enjoy the day. ------------------------------------------------- Stephen Michael Kerr is the publisher of Adaptive Sports & Recreation, as well as a radio broadcaster and freelance writer in Austin, Texas. Blind since birth, Stephen has written various articles and given numerous speeches on disability awareness. ------------------------------------------------- ================================================= Spotlight ================================================= Experiencing The World On a Bike by Stephen Michael Kerr Picture yourself taking in the blooming tulip fields of Holland, grand churches and castles in Vienna, or the salty air of the New England coast. Imagine gardens, historic sites, and museums in some of the most beautiful places in the world, and enjoying the experience not from a car, bus, or train, but on a bike. It's not a dream. Thanks to International Bicycle Tours, you could be biking in Europe, Cape Cod, and anywhere in between with people of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. Founded by Frank Behrendt and located in Essex, Connecticut, IBT has been conducting bicycle tours in the United States and several other countries for thousands of experienced and casual bikers since 1976. Children as young as eight and adults in their seventies and eighties have realized the exhilaration of traveling to fascinating places on a bike. Even people with disabilities have taken part in IBT tours over the years. According to Rebecca Russell, an IBT tour coordinator, a number of blind individuals have ridden with sighted friends or family members on tandem bikes. "We provide the tandem bicycle, in the countries where we can, and sometimes there is an additional fee," Russell explains. "As active individuals who have lost their sight, but not their desire to travel, be physically active, and participate in group tours, they are happy to participate." All tours are conducted in groups, and follow a predetermined schedule. Each day of a tour typically starts right after breakfast, with a break for lunch before reaching a destination later in the afternoon. Bikers can choose to ride at a fast pace at the front of the group, or a more relaxed one at the rear. Everyone has plenty of opportunities to stop and rest, see the sights, and take pictures along the route. "We bike an average of 28-38 miles a day on all tours," Russell says. Creating a hassle-free tour is one of IBT'S main objectives. Lodging, meals, and the tour's itinerary are all arranged. Guides are provided to lead the way along the route, and speak the language during international tours. If a bike gets a flat tire on the trail, it's fixed. Riders don't even have to worry about transporting their luggage; it's all taken care of. Hotel accommodations range from family-run establishments to large resorts and historic hotels. Perhaps the greatest thrill of an IBT tour, besides the riding and sightseeing, is being among a group of people who all share a love of cycling, and an eagerness to repeat the experience again and again. "You start out as strangers and leave as friends," Russell says. "The company enjoys a tremendous following: many of its alumnae have been on eight or more trips." ------------------------------------------------- To request a brochure, or get information about pricing and tour schedules, go to the IBT website: www.internationalbicycletours.com ------------------------------------------------- ** If you have an idea for a spotlight on a particular adaptive sport or organization, send it to: stevekerr@ev1.net with "Spotlight" in the subject line. ================================================= Feature Ad ================================================= *************************** Need to raise your healthy I.Q.? New Body News is for you! Inside the New Body News and Wellness Letter, you'll find: Motivation; the latest trends in personal growth and inspiration. Interaction; freedom of speech to express your healthy opinion. And more! Enroll now and build a better you. http://www.new-body-news.com ================================================= Profile ================================================= "Martial Arts Pro Kicks Way to Top" Ron Mann had his left leg amputated below the knee following a motorcycle accident, but this martial arts dynamo can hardly be thought of as handicapped. Click this link to view the article with photos. Reprinted with permission from Challenge Magazine and Disabled Sports USA. http://www.dsusa.org/challmag-spring04-article2.html ** Have an idea for a profile? Just send an e-mail to: stevekerr@ev1.net with "Profile" in the subject line. ================================================= In The News ================================================= Saul Mendoza of Texas captured the men's push-rim wheelchair division of the New York City Marathon Nov. 7, crossing the finish line with a time of 1 hour, 33 minutes and 16 seconds. It was the second victory for the 37-year-old Mendoza, who also won the race in 2001. In the women's division, Switzerland's Edith Hunkeler, participating in her first New York City Marathon, finished first in 1:53:27, breaking the course record of 1:59.30 set just last year. Todd Philpott of Austrailia took the men's handcycle division with a time of 1:17:12, while Angelique Simons of the Netherlands finished in 1:50:02 to win the women's handcycle category. ********** Disabled Sports USA is hosting their HartfordSki Spectacular Dec. 5-12 in Breckenridge, Colorado. Hundreds from all over the country will receive instruction in winter skiing, and special guests will include soldiers who were severely injured in service in Iraq. For more information, visit: www.dsusa.org ** If you know of an adaptive sports event for this section, send it to: stevekerr@ev1.net and put "News" in the subject line. ================================================= Keeping Fit ================================================= Streching exercises by: John Gibb Stretching exercises are important before you begin your workout. Always remember to stretch before and after your workout. Stretching exercises also give you health and fitness by making you more flexible. This helps you in all sorts of exercises, even running, you will find stretching the leg muscles daily will give you better performance at fitness exercises such as running. Remember for optimal health and fitness always perform stretches, as we mature we become more and more less flexible, this is why it is good to stretch daily. Stretching exercises for health and fitness are very easy to perform. The normal ones for legs such as touching the toes and hamstring stretches are your most common stretches. For arms you can do anything from arm twists. For your upper body a great stretching exercise is to perform twists side to side with a weightless barbell behind your neck. If you are are pursuing martial arts or want excellent flexibility in the legs then you can perform the splits each day, take it very easy when doing this if you are new to exercise, pushing your self could result in severe pain, and in some cases, even damage. Visit http://www.weight-lifting-4u.com for further information. About The Author John Gibb is the webmaster of several websites. http://www.weight-lifting-4u.com is his latest addition. ================================================= On Deck ================================================= Here's a peek at what's coming up in the next issue. ** Wheelchair power hockey is the subject of our next "Spotlight". You'll learn the basics of the sport, and one of the many leagues that promotes it: the Calgary Power Hockey League. ** Scott Brandon's life has been going at a whirlwind pace since a fall left him a paraplegic over two years ago. He spends time with his two sons, speaks to schoolchyildren, mentors new paraplegic patients, and is a goaltender for the U.S. sled hockey team. Read his inspiring story in the next "Profile". ** With our busy schedules, who has time to do a full body workout every single day? In "Keeping Fit", Dr. Jeff Banas gives us a much better alternative: a complete body workout in 30 minutes or less just twice a week. ================================================= Contact Information ================================================= Stephen Michael Kerr, Publisher stevekerr@ev1.net 1218 Hughmont Dr. Pflugerville, Tx 78660 Subscriptions to this ezine are free. To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to: 41809-subscribe@zinester.com To unsubscribe, send a blank e-mail to: 41809-unsubscribe@zinester.com ================================================= Disclaimer ================================================= Although we believe our advertisers to be honest in their business practices, we cannot be held responsible for the products or services they offer. Please make sure to check out all offers before you buy. |
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| << November03, 2004 - November 3, 2004, Issue 3 |
December01, 2004 - December 1, 2004, Issue 5 >> |
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