Walking (rolling) into any establishment with 10+ wheelchair users, amputees and visually handicapped people creates lots of attention, especially if it's obvious they're a TEAM!   

In 1999 we had the spectacular opportunity to travel with the US DisAbled Ski TEAM to Ireland and England for the World Championships.  There were approximately 40 of us and so much luggage it wouldn't all fit in a 6 x 9 trailer.  It was quite a challenge to locate everyone's luggage, which didn't always happen.

On the plane ride home I took notes as to what improvements we could make for the TEAM and came up with the following.  Please note that you're reading MY wish list, not an official USA WaterSki request.

We're talking about a WORLD Championship event here, not skiing at someone's mud puddle.  It would be awesome for TEAM morale and for  the impression created for the rest of the world if our skiers and staff actually looked like a TEAM:) 

The TEAM (and staff) could use 

         TEAM LUGGAGE            (matching - including one carry-on

                                                     preferably red/white/blue so it's easy

                                                     to spot on the luggage carousel)

          LUGGAGE TAGS            Tagged USA DisAbled WaterSki TEAM

                                                     and numbered so we know how many

                                                     pieces we do or don't have (i.e. total

                                                     luggage count 120 bags - tags numbered

                                                     1- 120)

          GEAR BAGS                    Three event skier bags or just bags

                                                     made to carry ski equipment,

                                                     particularly sit skis and sit ski cages

          SUNGLASSES                 For the whole TEAM and staff

          MESH BAGS                   To carry wet clothes, wet/drysuits

          WETSUIT/DRYSUIT       matching

          SKI VEST/GLOVES        matching

          TEAM T-SHIRTS            at least 7 days worth of TEAM T-Shirts

                                                     or Polo shirts 

          TEAM SHORTS              and/or swimwear

          AIR BEDS/PUMP            Due to their injuries, it's very

                                                     hazardous for sit skiers to sit all day. 

                                                     They need to get off their

                                                     bottoms and onto their fronts.  Two or

                                                     three airbeds and a pump would be

                                                     greatly appreciated by the skiers for

                                                     use at the event & training camp

          STICKERS                       "USA TEAM SKIER"  and the skier

                                                     name, to be placed on ski equipment 

          RED/WHITE/BLUE         Flags, streamers, towels, hats, visors,

                                                     temporary tattoos.  Whatever you

                                                     have to offer that's apple pie, flag

                                                     waving, I'm proud to be from America!  

The US DisAbled WaterSki TEAM athletes need some support, particularly product support.  With no disrespect intended to the current manufacturers; sit skiers are using equipment manufactured with ancient technology nowhere near comparable to what is available to able bodied skiers.  Folks, that's just not right. 

They aren't "less than" because of their disability, in some senses they are "more than", for they perform the same feats, with one arm, or blind, or sitting down.  The US DisAbled Ski Team is a force to reckon with on an international level.  If we had new product, utilizing the latest carbon fiber composition for slalom and

jump skis, designed for the weight distribution of a sit skier we (the USofA)  would rule the disAbled waterSki world.  

Frankly, no one cares enough because of the market size.  There aren't a lot of disAbled waterSkiers out there ripping it up, but that's only because they don't know it exists.   Some manufacturer, designer or philanthropist needs to step (or roll) up to the plate to make a difference in this sport . . . did you watch the Olympic Trampoline event?  The man who invented the trampoline was on site to witness the enormity of his creation.  

Can you imagine the phenomenal satisfaction he felt?  It could be you :)  

In the alternative - cash is always welcome - send as many millions (or dollars) as you'd like to USA Water Ski *1251 Holy Cow Road * Polk City, Florida * 33868 .... do add a note that your donation is for the US DisAbled Water Ski TEAM.  

Click here to read a heart felt account of how getting to know the TEAM changed a young girl's life.