Handicapped Sports

Derby City Roll Out

by Jenny Ison

Publication Date: May 1997

On Saturday, April 12, Mark Wellman, featured in the April issue of Extremz, was at Rocksport Climbing Gym in Louisville, Kentucky giving a demonstration and motivational speech on the physically challenged overcoming their barriers. "Motivational" is the key word when describing Mark Wellman, the only paraplegic to scale El-Capitan and Half Dome in Yosemite National park, and the man who ascended the torch tower at the 1996 Paralympic Games to light the flame that shone over Atlanta and all the athletes gathered there.

As well as demonstrating his climbing abilities, Mark treated the audience to a slide show of himself and other physically challenged athletes demonstrating how they have overcome their disabilities and are now rock climbing, skiing, and kayaking. Mark made himself available afterwards to autograph his book "The Climb Back," as well as, T-shirts and a video entitled "No Barriers." Proceeds from the sale of these items were donated to Derby City Wheelchair Athletics, Inc.

On hand to try their climbing skills, utilizing adaptive equipment invented by Mark were Terri Cecil-Ramsey (Ms. Wheelchair Kentucky), Cheri Becerra (Winner of the Bronze Medal in the women's exhibition 800 meter race at the Olympic Games), and

Mark's demonstration carried over to Sunday, when he also participated as a guest speaker at the 1st Annual Derby City Wheelchair Athletics, Inc. "Roll-Out" (a premiere event to showcase the largest array of disabled sports available anywhere). The Roll-Out was held at the Churchill Park School in Louisville and represented thirteen sports. Extremz staff attended both days' events and were impressed watching local, as well as, national champion paraplegics demonstrate participation in their favorite sports to include fencing, volleyball, basketball, tennis, scuba diving, and racing, to name a few.

These individuals have conquered obstacles in their lives, some of which were the direct cause for their disability, and have continued to do what they love best. Mark Wellman's mountain climbing fall left him a partial paraplegic at age 22, but he has improvised and still mountain climbs today. Bob Bremm, whose moto-cross accident left him a paraplegic currently races trucks at Louisville Motor Speedway every Saturday night during racing season. Cheri Becerra was left a paraplegic from a mysterious, crippling disease at the age of four, but now holds the current world record for the 400 meter race.

If you are an individual who is suffering from a debilitating accident or disease, please realize your life has not ended, and as Mark Wellman so eloquently puts it, there are "No Barriers!"

If you, or someone you know, would like more information about these individuals or how you can get involved in wheelchair athletic sports, please contact Derby City Wheelchair Athletics, Inc. by calling 502-969-4900 or 1-800-969-4902.