Third Saturday In July A Highlight For Disabled Individuals
by John Hunt
posted July 19, 2008
The third Saturday in October has special significance to a number of college football fans in the Southeast because it’s the date of the annual Tennessee-Alabama game.
The third Saturday in July has special significance to a number of other folks in the Chattanooga area because that’s the date of the annual Adaptive Ski Clinic on Possum Creek.
This clinic, sponsored by SPARC or Sports, Arts & Recreation of Chattanooga, allows disabled folks a chance to water ski and otherwise enjoy a nice day on the lake.
Some of these individuals are paralyzed from spinal cord injuries while others have spina bifida or cerebral palsy. Some are visually impaired.
They might not be able to get around as well as other “normal” people, but there’s no shortage of desire to have fun on a hot, summer day.
This clinic is just one way they get out and get involved, both as volunteers and participants.
This particular clinic takes place at the First Lutheran Church Camp property.
The shoreline at one end of Possum Creek is abuzz with activity on this particular Saturday when many volunteers give of their time and their resources to make this a memorable event.
Debbie Hightower is a Physical Therapist who works with these kinds of kids in the Hamilton County school system.
She and her husband Jerry just happened to run into Phil Martin at a trade show in Atlanta back in 1993. That’s when this idea was born.
Martin had always been a big-time water skier and he went to college with the idea of adapting the sport to accommodate those with physical disabilities.
He earned his degree in Therapeutic Recreation and he’s been involved in such gatherings for almost 30 years.
He was the leader that first year and he makes this weekend a must on his summer calendar, although he’s not nearly as active as he once was.
Martin, who now lives in Macon, Ga., has had Multiple Sclerosis for the past 14 years and has been forced to cut back on some activities.
But he was here for the beginning when there was just a few participants in '93 and he was present in 2008 when there were almost 200 participants.
The Hightowers are grateful to Martin for his inspiration and leadership and for helping make this a highlight of the year for many individuals.
“Phil is the father of adaptive skiing in my book. I couldn’t do it without him," Debbie said while taking a quick break Saturday.
"He invented the ski these kids use and he’s simply awesome. We weren’t very organized at the start, but we’ve come a long way since that time and the tireless effort of so many volunteers like Phil make this a wonderful event," she added.
There are several boats to pull the skiers. There are at least one or two Wave Runners that follow each skier to be at their side if and when they fall.
The ski is a unique design where each person sits in a special chair. The rope is attached to the ski and it’s built for stability on the water.
When everything is set and ready, the boat pulls off, the skier is on the water and having the time of his or her life.
The smiles on their faces and the screams of joy are worth a thousand words when it comes to determining whether or not they’re having fun.
Jeff Pruett is a 22-year-old young man who’s been involved in this clinic since he was nine. He has cerebral palsy, which limits much activity, but nothing can keep him away from this ski clinic.
“Just getting outside is a lot of fun. I wasn’t scared at all the first time I did this. I have a hard time keeping my balance, but I love coming out here,” he explained.
Cathy Fletcher is one of the volunteers who helps out with registration and making announcements over the P.A. system.
She’s been involved since the very beginning and she wouldn't miss it for anything.
She was involved in a sledding accident in 1978 and has been in a wheelchair ever since with paralysis from the chest down, but that doesn’t diminish her spirit one bit.
“It’s a great activity for those who normally wouldn’t be able to ski. It’s a chance to do something and to participate in life. The expression on the faces of the individuals and their family members is unbelievable.
“Most of the volunteers work like dogs, but they thoroughly enjoy themselves and they always come back.
"The kids really have fun too and some like this better than Christmas,” Fletcher added, herself an accomplished snow skier.
Brad Waller is another paralyzed participant who was severely injured in a car wreck 14 years ago.
A former employee of the Chattanooga Lookouts, Brad now works for a large grocery retailer in Des Moines, Iowa.
He made the 13-hour trip to Chattanooga this weekend for this clinic.
“Debbie (Hightower) has been bugging me to come back for years, so I decided to come this year for the first time in 11 years. I met a lot of great people when I lived here, so there are a lot of friends I came to see.
“I got out on the water earlier this morning and I hope to go back out before the day is over. I’m leaving to go back home tonight, although I’m stopping in Kentucky for the night to see some other friends,” Waller added.
Jennifer Clark works for TRC Yacht Sales. She was volunteering for the second straight year. She brought a boat and three Wave Runners in addition to five other people to help out.
“We do whatever it takes to keep things going on the water. This is our second year, but we want to come back every time. This is one of those events that grows on you. Once you get involved, it’s impossible to say no.
“We don’t sit still as we’re always moving, but it’s worth all the effort to see these kids playing and having a good time,” Clark added.
This event has really blossomed since it began in 1993. Folks like Phil Martin, Debbie and Jerry Hightower and Cathy Fletcher have made a commitment to making life a little better for those less fortunate.
Do you want to see what we’re talking about? If so, just mark your calendar for 2009.
It’s the third Saturday in July and it will be held at the Lutheran Camp property on Possum Creek.
You can bet there will be a bunch of people there, working hard and having fun.
That’s what it’s all about.
(Email John Hunt at tnmoose2002@aol.com)
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