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================================================= Adaptive Sports & Recreation February 9, 2005 Vol. 1, Issue 9 ================================================= Stephen Michael Kerr, Publisher To subscribe, send a blank e-mail to: 41809-subscribe@zinester.com Copyright 2005, 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: Amputees Get Their Kicks With Soccer by Stephen Michael Kerr - Profile: Westfield Db Won't Even Let Ms Put An End To Dreams by Sarah Hornaday, Houston Chronicle - In The News - Keeping Fit: How Do I Gain Weight? by JP Clifford - On Deck - Contact Information ================================================= Feature Ad ================================================= NewsFlash*SnowPack is an ezine for the athlete in all of us. Filled with health and fitness info, tips, links and recipes, NewsFlash is your source for the latest healthy news. Articles include information about natural pain relief, the latest exercise research, a personal hiking journal, book reviews and so much more. Subscribe today at http://home.netcom.com/~newsflash Or send an email to: newsflash@ix.netcom.com with Subscribe in the subject line. ================================================= 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 ********** One of the many reasons I began publishing ASR was to give adaptive sports organizations additional exposure to promote their activities. In my effort to contact these groups, I have discovered there are thousands of them all over the world, just waiting for an ezine such as this one to spread the word about their sport or recreational program. With that in mind, I will be adding a new feature to ASR, beginning with the March 9 issue. "Helpful Links" will feature Url's to home pages of various organizations, with contact information and a brief description of what they do. I believe this new section will be a tremendous asset to the newsletter, and each organization listed. My hope is that once we get enough groups listed, I can begin developing a directory with links, email addresses, and other contact information of organizations in all kinds of adaptive sports. Whether you're a parent of a disabled child, an adaptive PE teacher, someone who just became disabled, or just interested in learning more about adaptive sports, "Helpful Links" can provide you with the information you're looking for. I would love to have your input in this. If you know of an organization you feel would benefit from this listing, let me know. Just email me at: stevekerr@ev1.net with "Helpful Links" as the subject. Look for the new feature's debut in the March 9 issue of ASR. ********** Last weekend here in Austin, Tx, I had the opportunity to emcee the 12th annual bowlathon to benefit SportsVision 2020, a nonprofit group helping to promote sports for the blind, particularly Beep Baseball, a modified form of baseball played by the blind. Each year, the bowlathon raises funds to help send the Austin Blackhawks to the annual Beep Baseball World Series. As always, it was a wonderful time. As soon as I walked into Highland Lanes, site of the event for the past several years, I could tell right away that there were more bowlers than we've had in quite a while. There were plenty of door prizes, and a good time was had by all. I just want to thank all the volunteers, corporate sponsors, and bowlers who once again made this annual event a smashing success. By the way, the 2005 Beep Baseball World Series will be held in Houston, Tx, in late July. You'll be reading more about Beep Baseball in future issues of ASR. Talk to you soon. ------------------------------------------------- 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 ================================================= Amputees Get Their Kicks With Soccer by Stephen Michael Kerr Legend has it that the game of amputee soccer came about by accident, thanks to a runaway basketball. About 25 years ago, amputee Don Bennett of Seattle was walking to his car one day when he noticed a basketball rolling toward him from the garage. Instinctively, he raised up on his crutches and kicked the ball back. That incident planted the seed for what would slowly evolve into an international sport. Bennett, an avid skier, began experimenting with various forms of amputee soccer as a recreational way to keep in shape for ski season. Two years after the experience with the basketball, Bennett, along with former pro soccer player Bill Barry, helped form Amputee Soccer International. It was through this group that the sport began to take shape internationally, with teams in the U.S., Europe, and the former Soviet Union. It wasn't until 1997, however, that the game began to spread across the U.S. Following a workshop in Philadelphia, the American Amputee Soccer Association (AASA), was established to promote the sport. "At its root, amputee soccer is little more than kicking a ball on crutches," explains AASA Executive Director Rick Hofmann. "But the implication is that the individual can play an active sport, and can sweat, and can compete, even on the international level. This game is very powerful stuff." Except for some minor modifications to the rules, amputee soccer is virtually the same as the two-legged version. Metal crutches are used by the players, with forearm crutches as the international standard. Wooden crutches are prohibited to eliminate the danger of breaking or splintering. Players are allowed to make incidental contact between their crutch and the ball, but blocking, trapping, or advancing the ball with a crutch is considered the same as a hand pass in regular soccer. Players may not use their crutch like a hockey stick for cross-checking or high sticking. Otherwise, the offending player is ejected from the game, and a penalty kick is awarded to the opposing team. The playing surface, or pitch, can be either indoors or outdoors, and is usually smaller than a regulation areana or field. The goal is also smaller, measuring two meters high, three meters wide, , and one meter deep. A standard FIFA ball is used, appropriate to each age group. Teams consist of three players a side, plus a goalkeeper, and games are played in two 10-minute periods, with a five-minute intermission. In some cases, teams are allowed to use able-bodied players, as long as amputees make up the majority of the roster. The able-bodied player may be substituted for an amputee, but must use a crutch, may not wear a shoe on the non-kicking foot, and may not run or touch down with the non-kicking foot during play. Any non-amputee who acts as goalkeeper must keep one arm tucked inside their jersey. "We've found that in some communities there are too few amputee players to develop a competitive team or league," Hofmann says. "Able-bodied players can fill in on an under-strength team." One obstacle in promoting the game to potential players is the HIPPA Privacy Act. Prosthetists, therapists, and rehabilitation hospitals are no longer allowed to provide organizations like AASA mailing lists or other information about their clients. Many have been reluctant to take the time to spread the word themselves. However, Hofmann says, once a person tries the game for the first time, they're hooked. "They discover, very quickly, that this is a game they can play and be competitive in," he explains. "(It's) a game where they can compete with people just like themselves on a level playing field." Amputee soccer is not yet recognized as a Paralympic sport. To achieve such status, there must be viable programs and national competitions within countries on all continents. Once that has been achieved, a petition must be submitted to the International Paralympic Committee. The sport would then be placed on Demonstration Status for the Paralympic Games. Progress is being made toward that goal. At the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro this coming August, there is a possibility that one or more African nations will compete for the first time. If that happens, organizers hope to achieve Paralympic Demonstration Status by the 2012 Games. As competitive as amputee soccer is, there is still a "come one, come all" approach to the game. Players of all ages, male and female, are welcome. Exceptions in the rules are made for able-bodied friends and family members to play. "Our goal is to make amputee soccer available to anyone who wants to play," Hofmann says. "We'd love to have more local and regional teams for expanded competitions." If you'd like to become involved in this growing sport, visit the AASA website: www.ampsoccer.org To check out photos of the game, go to: http://www.ampsoccer.org/best/baction_1.cfm ** 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. ================================================= Profile ================================================= Westfield DB won't let even MS put end to dreams By SARAH HORNADAY, Houston Chronicle Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle If you ask Westfield's Robert Kibble, he's had a great senior year. He committed to play football at UCLA. His team made it to the state final. His daughter was born last fall. And he's one of five finalists for the Watkins Award, presented annually to African-American scholar-athletes. It doesn't seem to bother him that his playing time was limited by a knee injury and his world was forever changed when he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in August. "If you asked me a month ago, I might have answered differently," Kibble said. "Life changes. This makes me a better, stronger person. After these past few months, I can handle anything." If a person is defined by how he reacts to the things that happen to him and not what happens, Kibble is more of a man than his 18 years would indicate. "I admire him for how he handled the whole situation," Westfield coach Corby Meekins said. "Robert's very disciplined. He's very serious. He's taken everything that's happened in stride. He's like, 'This happened; this is what I need to do, and that's what needs to be done.' " Kibble was ??” and is ??” a picture of health. He started his senior season in the best condition of his life. He had no recruiting worries since he had committed to UCLA over the summer. His concerns were preparing for the birth of his child, making the most of his senior football season and keeping up his 3.7 grade-point average. All that changed on Aug. 27, when he was diagnosed with MS ??” an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. During two-a-day practices, Kibble experienced numbness in his right foot. He mentioned it but wrote it off to poor circulation. "I thought I tied my shoelaces too tight," Kibble said. When the numbness moved up his leg, he sought more advice ??” an MRI and blood tests. He tried to continue, though his hands were swollen and he felt numb from neck to toe, making it hard to breathe. When the test results came back, he was told to go to Tomball Medical Center. "I knew it was bad when they told me to go straight to the hospital," Kibble said. The rush to the emergency room was the beginning of an anxious week in the hospital. Kibble was quickly diagnosed with MS, but it took another 48 hours to find out more details. An MRI showed Kibble had three lesions on his brain and one on his spinal cord. Each lesion affects the nerves' ability to conduct electrical impulses to and from the brain, producing the symptoms of MS. The MRI painted a bleak picture. But by the end of that week, he found a little relief in knowing he could still play football. "You heard of MS and you know the bad side effects," Meekins said. "Here's a guy in the best condition of his life and you don't know what's going to happen." There is no way to sugar-coat MS. It's an incurable disease, but for some it's a disease that can be controlled by medicine. Kibble's fears were lessened when he realized he could still play football. "It scared me real bad," Kibble said."The hardest thing was thinking I couldn't do all the things I'd been doing." He injects medicine in his thigh three times a week. The medicine has a side effect of flu-like symptoms ranging from nausea and chills to headaches. Except for an extreme reaction the first time he took the medicine ??” sending him back to the emergency room ??” life has become routine for Kibble. He can take the medicine at night and sleep through most side effects, which are similar to a common cold. Kibble was on the sidelines for the Mustangs' Sept. 10 opener against Alief Taylor. He returned to practice the next week. "I tried to do what I used to do, but I couldn't," Kibble said. He was drained from the treatment and said it took him several weeks to get close to full speed. Meekins kept a watchful eye on Kibble ??” especially in practice. Hydration and keeping the body temperature cool are important points for MS sufferers. "It was as scary as I don't know what," Meekins said of Kibble's return to the field. He wasn't in any specific danger, but that didn't stop either Meekins or Kibble's mother, Joyce Webb, from worrying. MS didn't slow Kibble's season as much as his knee, which was surgically repaired as a sophomore. A meniscus tear kept Kibble out of the starting lineup but not off the field. Kibble put off the "cleanup" arthoscopic surgery until after the season. He did so to keep playing ??” as a backup. "I was very much a part of the team," Kibble said. "I was a natural leader. I just had to do it more on the sideline. We made it the farthest in school history. It was a great year." Like anyone, Kibble needed time to adjust to his situation. But the disease wouldn't stop him. "I was determined to beat it," he said. "I didn't want that to be the end of it." Kibble has a strong network of friends and family who helped him. Whether it was his family, friends, doctors, coaches or other school administrators, Kibble had someone to turn to. He had the desire to keep all his dreams alive ??” whether playing in the NFL or becoming an orthopedic surgeon ??” and he got plenty of encouragement. While the most prevalent images of MS are of people in the latter stages, like comedian Richard Pryor, Kibble soon learned more positive images. "It kind of amazes me," his mother said. "Robert is a strong-willed person. Not much is going to get him down. It's amazing that at his age, the acceptance to deal with this." "It can be done," Kibble said. "I don't expect that's (MS) one of the things that will limit my success." ** Have an idea for a profile? Just send an e-mail to: stevekerr@ev1.net with "Profile" in the subject line. ================================================= Feature Ad ================================================= DO YOU QUALIFY TO GET YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS FREE? Most people don??™t realize this, but there are over 800 different programs that will provide nearly every medication on the market, free to those that qualify. And you DON??™T have to be poor to qualify. See if you do at: http://www.netterweb.com/rexaid/. ================================================= In The News ================================================= Blind Paralympic athlete Jason Dunkerley of Ottawa, Canada, was named the city's Male Athlete of the Year Jan. 19 in a ceremony held at Algonquin College. The 27-year-old Dunkerley, who has been blind since birth, represented Canada in last summer's Athens Paralympics, capturing a silver medal in the 1500m. He also won gold medals at the Canadian Paralympic trials in both the 800- and 1500 meters. ********** The Rockford Chariots of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association are looking for teams to participate in their annual Spring Fling tournament, to be held Feb. 19 and 20 at Harlem High School in Rockford, Illinois, USA. The tournament can accommodate up to eight teams. For more information, call Doug Beale at (815) 222-8447, or (815) 229-3000. ** 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 ================================================= "How Do I Gain Weight?" By JP Clifford Try asking people how to gain weight and you'll likely see some bewildered faces staring back at you. For the majority of people, hearing that question is akin to hearing the questions, "How do I stub my toe?" or "How do I run out of gas?" Those confused faces not withstanding, the question is a legitimate one and one that frustrates those who find themselves on the light end of the scale. While those on the heavy end can't get through a commercial break or flip through more than five pages of a magazine without someone offering up a solution to their weight problems, it can be a lonely struggle for those who want to put on weight. If you are lucky enough to get a reasoned response to your question, it will probably involve the words "eat more." That, despite being obvious, is great advice. Quite simply, to gain weight you will need to up your calorie consumption to the point where you consume more calories than you expend. Couple an increased caloric intake with a little weight training and you have the recipe for healthy weight gain. You may think you eat a lot, even enough to keep pace with your more weight-furnished friends, but you are probably over-estimating your intake. After a trip to the doctor's office to rule out medical causes for your inability to bulk up (thyroid disease and other medical problems can hamper weight gain), a first step to designing an effective weight gain program is to journal your eating habits. Counting calories for a week will give you an accurate view of your diet. From there, increase your daily caloric intake by about 300-500 calories until you start putting on the pounds. Keep in mind though, while your caloric intake will directly influence your bodyweight, it will be other factors like the types of food you eat and your weight training regimen that decide the type of weight you are putting on. So if you are after an aesthetically pleasing weight gain, that of lean muscle weight as opposed to just some extra body fat to lug around, it will be important to pay attention to these factors. To get the most muscle out of your weight gain, avoid the junk food and focus on eating whole foods. A good weight gain diet should be composed of 30-50% protein, 20-50% carbohydrates and 20-40% fat (the majority of which should be essential fatty acids). Different ratios within these ranges will work differently for different people. Keep up your food journal and experiment to find the ratios that work best for you. Providing your body with the materials it needs to build muscle is only one piece of the puzzle. A weight training program designed to give the body a reason to add some muscle will be very important to achieving your goals. Your workout routines should concentrate on compound weight lifting exercises (those that involve multiple muscle groups like the squat or bench press) with weights that allow you to do 6 to 12 reps per set. Higher rep ranges will tone your muscles but may not sufficiently signal the body into muscle growth. Try to either increase the amount of weight lifted or the reps completed with each workout. Don't go overboard with your workouts. Two or three one-hour workouts per week done with intensity should do the trick. Too often those that have trouble gaining weight (hardgainers) spend too much time in the gym. This can be counterproductive in two ways. First, it means you are burning off a lot of the calories that could otherwise be used to build muscle and, second, you can over-train your muscles by working them too hard, basically making them unresponsive. If you are looking for some company in your quest to gain weight, venture into the bodybuilding community. There you will find many people also seeking ways to put on lean muscle mass. You will also find many products marketed to help you gain weight. Be very cautious when looking at these products. Gaining weight may not be as in demand as losing weight but it is still big business and there are a lot of companies out there looking to take your money. While some of these products can help, others aren't necessary. With a little motivation, a weight gain diet and a solid weight training program in place you will have all you need to achieve your gain weight goals. Better yet, you will never again have to ask that question that gets all those funny looks aimed back at you. JP Clifford is an avid natural bodybuilder and creator of The Build Muscle and Gain Weight Fast Guide a free online resource for those looking to gain muscle mass. Visit: http://www.gain-weight-muscle-fast.com/ for more tips on diet and weight lifting designed to help you bulk up. ================================================= On Deck ================================================= Here's a peek at what's coming up in the next issue. ** In the Nov. 3, 2004 issue of ASR, we featured Ski for Light, an annual event that brings blind skiers together with sighted instructors for a week of cross-country skiing and social activities. This year's event just wrapped up this past weekend in Granby, Colorado. Our next "Spotlight" section will once again shine on one of the biggest events in the blind community. If you'd like to read the Nov. 3 story, visit: http://archives.zinester.com/41809/29508.html ** Less than four years ago, Erik Weihenmayer became the first (and so far, only) blind person to stand atop Mount Everest. Columnist Lee Benson of the Deseret (Utah) Morning News caught up with Erik to discuss this amazing feat. Read the exclusive interview in the next "Profile". ** Minimizing stress in our daily lives can go a long way to helping us stay fit both physically and mentally. You'll find some must-read tips on reducing stress in our next "Keeping Fit". ================================================= 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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