Disabled Sports On A Roll

DSES receives a donation from East Side Velo Cycling Club. (Back row) Diana proemm, DSES Summer Program Manager; Kathy Copeland, DSES Executive Director; Jerry Kelly, East Side Velo member; Kari Shoemake, DSES Intern; (Front row)Todd, DSES Student

Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra (DSES) announced at the end of July, 2006 that Eastside Velo Cycling Club recently donated $500 towards the DSES Adaptive Cycling Program. Last year the Eastside Velo Cycling Club along with the Sierra Cycling Foundation donated a Quickie Shark hand-cycle to the program. This spring Fred Liebel from Athletes Helping Athletes donated four additional hand-cycles to the Cycling Program.

One of DSES's students, Todd, had his first experience riding a hand cycle while he was in Mammoth on vacation with his family. Todd has limited use of his legs and is legally blind. The trained staff and volunteers at Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra taught Todd to cycle and although he will always need a guide to follow, he can now cycle independently with his friends and family. According to Todd's mother, "This gives him the opportunity to be just like all the other kids on the block."

DSES acknowledged the support of donors such as the Eastside Velo and Athletes Helping Athletes provide opportunities to kids like Todd to become more independent and live a healthy and active lifestyle.

Keep an eye out for DSES riders in the September 2006 High Sierra Fall Century Ride. The public can support the DSES Team by contacting 760.934.0791 or at www.disabledsposrtseasternsierra.org.