A summer weekend at Red Bridge Park set the scene for an opportunity of 50 lifetimes.
For the 19th year, youth and adults with physical disabilities participated in two days of adaptive waterskiing on Morse Reservoir. The event is coordinated through the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana (RHI) Sports Program.
More than 50 people with spinal cord injuries, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, neuromuscular diseases, and other conditions participated this year. Wearing adaptive equipment and with the help of a force of volunteers, they happily skied in the wake of motorboats. The skiers used surfboard-sized adaptive skis, cages to allow sitting on the ski, and a no-handle/hands-free system.
The fun continued for nearly 20 hours but the experience made memories that will bring smiles to the rest of the participants’ lives. More importantly, the adaptive skiing adventure gives the skiers self-confidence and allows them to grow their feeling of independence.
RHI is a collaboration between IU Health and St. Vincent Health. Its sports program serves hundreds through an array of recreational and competitive activities. Other sports include beep baseball, wheelchair racing, quad rugby, and wheelchair basketball. For more information, visit rhin.com/rhi-sports-program
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