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Don't ever say you CAN'T CHRISTOPHER
& DANA REEVE FOUNDATION FILMS San Diego, California -- When the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation searched nationwide for a recreational rehabilitation program that included the entire family for a film they were producing, their search led them right to San Diego-based "Challenged America."
The Reeve Foundation discovered their wish...and more at "Challenged America." "Challenged America" is a free recreational rehabilitation sailing program for kids, adults and seniors with disabilities, and their loved ones and care providers. Families with children as young as 5 years of age, or grandparents in their late 80's having disabilities participate in the "Challenged America" program.
Todd Galli is but one example. Stricken with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, and now using a ventilator to breathe, has always wanted to sail, not as a passenger, but as the skipper of a sailboat. With only facial muscle movement, and the ability to move one finger a fraction of an inch, Todd presented a challenge to the "Challenged America" team, whose goal is to find or invent a way that anyone can sail, regardless of their disability or its severity. After six months of R&D, Challenged America (with the help of Josh Ross, program director, and Chris Freeman, an engineer who is a high-level quadriplegic) took existing fiber optic technology and developed a system where Todd, by moving his finger over the fiber optic light beam, connected to an onboard computer, is able to steer a sailboat and also trim the sails independently. The second challenge was creating a comfortable seat for Todd and a casing that would protect his ventilator from the salt water. Today, Todd Galli and his mom, Nancy, sail San Diego bay independently, with Todd's mom aboard the Martin 16 sailboat for safety and medical reasons. (See picture of Todd Galli attached.) The Challenged America family sailing program encourages family members to learn how to sail, so they can be part of the rehabilitation process, and enjoy the wonders and benefits of sailing with their loved one. Once one adult member of the family is approved for independent sailing on the Martin 16, then they have access to one of the program's 7 Martin 16 sailboats whenever available, free of charge.
A charitable program of the Disabled Businesspersons Association, "Challenged America" provides free small and big boat sailing instruction and educational programs, to enhance the rehabilitation of people with disabilities. From the Martin 16, two-seater, high-performance sailboat, modified Star Class sailboats, a soon to be adapted Etchells Class sailboat, and their Tripp 40 designed racing sailboat. Other sailboat now being considered for the program include a Capri 25 and a Columbia 32.5, all donated or granted vessels. With hundreds from around the world sailing in the Challenged America program, the types of disabilities have included spinal cord injury and muscular dystrophy (including ventilator users), multiple sclerosis, amputation, stroke and cancer survivors, blindness and low vision, deafness and hearing impairment, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, developmental disabilities, organ transplant recipients, arthritis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, post polio, diabetes, traumatic and acquired brain injury, learning disabled, cerebral hemorrhage, ALS, those with a heart condition, and many other disability and medical impairments.
Now
Challenged America is making history a second time: Funding for the free "Challenged America" programs comes from vessel and vehicle donations, corporate and individuals sponsorship, grants, contributions by business and the general public. All contributions and donations are tax-deductible. For additional Information on the "Challenged America" family sailing and their other free programs, or to sponsor, support or volunteer contact: Josh
Ross, "Challenged America" |
