Clinic gives disabled opportunity to water ski

QC Times
By Tamara Fudge Saturday, August 16, 2008 11:03 PM CDT

Watching the Olympics from an armchair is the closest many get to the high thrill of sport. But on Saturday, nearly two dozen people with various disabilities participated in their own show: The fourth Access to Waves adaptive water-skiing clinic.Held in Rock Island at the Backwater Gamblers club dock, this event brought tears of joy and cheers from the crowd as skiers with prosthetic legs, blindness and various other disabilities took a personal ride on the Rock River. Genesis Health Systems, the Backwater Gamblers and St. Ambrose University made it happen.“I have heard so many say the experience changed their life,” said Glen Sancken, a recreational therapist with Genesis and clinic coordinator for the event. “It makes a positive impact on their overall being.”Sancken explained that each budding skier wore a life jacket and was properly fitted for a “cage,” a padded basket-like chair. “They have to be able to get out,” he said, “and everyone has different size hips and length of legs.”The day’s skiers were given instructions in the shallows near the edge of the river and then skied behind a motorboat. Two jet skis each with a driver and a safety spotter followed. The moment the ride was over, two or three swimmers were in the water with the participants to ensure their safety.Backwater Gamblers board member Dennis Heggen said that about 30 club members volunteered their time and expertise for the day. “It’s one of the most rewarding events that we do,” he said. “We really look forward to it.”Heggen also praised the participants: “The people who are skiing have such great attitudes and big hearts,” he said.“It is a very emotional experience to see the glowing faces,” said college student and volunteer Renee Pollitt. “This is very well organized, and there are very caring people here,” she said.Pollitt is a third-year student in the Master of Occupational Therapy program at St. Ambrose University, which sent several faculty and two dozen students to help fit skiers for cages and get out in the water to help with training.“The students learn so much just being out here,” said program director Phyllis Wenthe. “They’re getting ideas for when they are therapists.”“It’s immeasurable, the value to the people who are participating,” said volunteer Wes Deibert. “It’s the highlight of the year for some of them.” Deibert said that one returning participant prepared all year by lifting weights, just so she would have the strength to hold on to the rope.Skiing in the clinic for his third time, Craig McDearmon of Davenport brought a paraplegic friend this year to share in the benefits.“It’s absolutely amazing,” said McDearmon. “What these volunteers here do is such an experience for disabled people. It gives a sense of accomplishment and is definitely a confidence booster. I can’t thank them enough.”