Wheelchair Athletics
-
Gasparilla 15K
Gasparilla 15K! The Gasparilla 15K is a special race to us because it was there, years ago, where Arielle first met her coach Adam Bleakney and his University of Illinois wheelchair racing team. Arielle was in middle school, new to wheelchair racing, and suddenly she was meeting elite athletes. Arielle become inspired, set her sights on attending the University of Illinois, and to one day train with Adam. She achieved that goal and now she’s practicing twice a day to prepare for the Los Angeles and Boston Marathons. Before The Race I picked Arielle up at the airport on Friday evening and we drove straight to Tampa. She was happy to leave behind the freezing weather in Illinois for a sunny…
-
The letter that made me cry
The letter that made me cry When I have author visits with schools I tell the students my inspiration behind writing MYSTIC. Arielle. Before I knew I was going to write a fantasy, I knew I would have a protagonist who used a wheelchair. Arielle was reading many books as a fourth grader in the Accelerated Reader program and not one of them had characters using a wheelchair. Meanwhile, I watched as Arielle’s life changed and she had to persevere through many obstacles while surrounded by able bodied people who she continually had to educate about these obstacles. Kids as well as adults could behave in ways that were insensitive. Playgrounds were not accessible and often her friends would run…
-
Push Across America!
Let me introduce you to an incredible young man! Ryan Chalmers is a wheelchair athlete at the University of Illinois. I’m very partial to the University of Illinois because my beautiful daughter, Arielle, goes there and is also a member of the team. Ryan is pushing across America using his racing wheelchair. He began yesterday in Los Angeles and will finish in New York. Check him out here on Good Morning America: Click on the picture to see the interview. Teachers this is a great opportunity to talk to your class about disabilities and the importance of determination and hard work. Hey, why not follow Ryan on his journey? Here’s the…
-
Why the University of Illinois?
I have had several people ask me why Arielle went to the University of Illinois. Wouldn’t I rather have her close? Of course! USF, Florida State, or the University of Florida would’ve been nice. We toured all their beautiful campuses. But none of those universities have a wheelchair track and field team. The University of Illinois is the most accessible college in the United States and now has twelve Track and Field athletes competing in the Paralympic Games in London. Arielle made the decision to leave her home state and all her friends to pursue wheelchair track. It was a difficult decision. Illinois is far from Florida and gets very cold in the winter! We are very…
-
Graduation Craziness – Florida State Track Meet
Part Two. If you missed Part 2… Click Here. The next day we drove to the University of North Florida track. Arielle threw shot put and took first place. I was excited to use my new camera to take pictures and I stood out in the Florida sun snapping away. And…. learned a very important lesson. When track coaches say to keep hydrated because it’s ninety degrees outside… listen to them. All the teens did. Unfortunately, I didn’t. I learned something else too. Heat exhaustion can sneak up on you quick. One minute I had my camera ready to take a picture of Arielle getting her medal and the next I was sitting…
-
Graduation Craziness
My head is pounding, my heart is full, my body is exhausted, and I’m scared to go grocery shopping. Because if I go grocery shopping I’ll see moms with little kids and I’ll start crying. My little kid is graduating high school. I spent the past three days with Arielle and her friends at the Florida State Track Meet and had the greatest time. All the while thinking… this is it. First, I’d like to thank the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), The Reeve Foundation, JB, LP, ET (Arielle’s coaches and Athletic Director) and all my Facebook friends for helping to add Adaptive Sports to the FHSAA track program.…
