Originally, the intent was to post the games in alphabetical order. However, while thinking about the events, the inside story would have been missed if the story would have not been told in sequence. The consequence is this article is written as each game unfolded relating to our readers the human side felt on the daily basis attended.
Julia Hollenbeck
Note: Wheel Me On... does not warrant Google Sponsor ads will be in ADA compliance.
Tuesday, July 4th, 2000
Football Exhibition
Prior to the Opening Ceremonies an exhibition game of football was held on the far end of this immense room inside the convention center where many of the games took place. Now this was not an ordinary football field. It was slightly smaller and not covered with turf nor played on foot. Instead the clanging of metal, wheels, and hands smashed and if bodies went down, so did the wheelchairs. As I sat there and watched part of the scrimmage while I ate a hot dog, I thought to myself that any football enthusiast ought to see at least one wheelchair football game.
This was without a doubt, real football with real team effort. I wished my son, Dennis, was there to see his favorite sport in an action nearly unbelievable without seeing it firsthand.
Wednesday, July 5th, 2000
Air Guns
On the first day of the games I had but one thought on my mind and that was the air gun competition held in the morning at the convention center. Having at one time been an avid skeet and trap shooter, my interest was at pique form. Even my three sons grew up with target practice and I suddenly missed their presence as I watched the competition. When I entered the enclosed area, I decided to photograph the sport from the closest far end and avoid blocking spectator views. I set-up and focused near the end of the table and caught both targets and rifles in the viewfinder.
The more I popped the shutter on my cameras, the worry of spectators left my mind and I edged around to get a couple of shots from behind the two men at the end of the table nearest me. When a break came, the men turned around. I introduced myself and then asked for their names. Bulls Eye! I was in contact with Gordon Mansfield, Executive Director of PVA and Reed Weir who could give me information on disabled shooters. What a hit!
After I visited with them, a spectator from the stands asked me to take a picture of her fiancee who was target shooting further down the row.
While visiting with her I realized she was the same woman who screamed when her fiancee popped a wheelie entering the curb cut at the sidewalk to the convention center that morning, falling over backwards and hitting his head on the pavement.
I asked her if he was okay because I saw him go down pretty hard when he fell.
She told me that he seemed to be. I hope I have him in this picture.
On a another note, I was really pleased to see the men from the United States Navy, pitching in as volunteers!Motor Slalom
From the Air Gun competition, I moved over to the Slalom area that was already underway with instructions for Motor Slalom which included both motorized scooter chairs and electric wheelchairs. Two obstacle courses were set-up and Slalom began with a coach riding through the course providing instructions for the participants. Cones were set up to mark the runway and lines marked the path and turning points. The object was not to knock over any cones and complete the obstacle in as short a time as possible.
The course for the electric wheelchairs appeared to be set up slightly different obviously because of four wheels instead of three, balance performance of the vehicle, and lower height capabilities.
The course in either case was not so easy a task. First of all, there was a ramp that sat on a rolling tilt base. The competitor had to first climb the ramp and then carefully tip it to scale down the opposite side. A tight turn was located at the corner and another before reaching the door. Several complete turns in small spaces were also required with maneuvers in a variety of directions. Opening a door, going through the door, and then closing the door, completed another portion of the run.
The competition required several able bodied people to be ready and alert at all times to assist in the event of a fall. None of whom where allowed to touch the chair, until an accident actually occurred. They kept their bodies posed and hands often only inches away, ready to help.
Glad in their UPS shirts, watching the concern on their faces gave me an entire different perspective of our United Parcel Service. They were top-notch all the way and I never once caught any of them looking anyplace other than the participant during a run. And, this was the case at every Slalom I watched. The UPS crew was so alert that when an individual did start to go over with the wheelchair, most often the participant never actually completed the fall.
Motor Slalom was a class act all of its own and required good concentration as well as mobility skills. As I sat there and watched them, I found myself thinking about the weight of the scooter in comparison to my "lightweight" two hundred-pound electric Quickie P200 wheelchair. Add my body weight of slightly another 105 pounds and the thought of the weight factor alone, was enough to rattle me, much less think about falling over. The two classifications may have had different courses but were equally difficult because of the type of wheelchair used and disability class.
Each required a great deal of skill and maneuverability. I found this sport to be the most emotional for me and before I knew it, I was spending more time cheering for the participant than taking pictures, and fighting emotions I forgot I had. After watching several contestants at both obstacle courses, I literally had to leave the center to regain my composure.
Basketball
Without a doubt, it was difficult for me to catch on to having only watched basketball in the past in standard format. Indeed, this was different and I was not sure just exactly what was happening, while my heart seemed to skip a beat every time there was a rush for the ball or a wheelchair crashed. I wondered how they kept from getting hurt or breaking kneecaps (or did they?). These guys were so fast; it was hard to keep up with them.
Thursday, July 6th, 2000
Manual Wheelchair Slalom
I read an article in a local newspaper about Ginger Rhodes and wanted to meet her because she seemed to have the same attitude, drive, and focus as myself. It seemed only natural to seek her out during one of her games and hoped that I would have an opportunity. As it worked out I did.
When I saw her in line at the Manual Wheelchair Slalom, I located what I thought would be my most advantageous spot for shooting. I set the lens on both digital and the Nikon cameras and waited. I was determined not to let myself become sidetracked no matter what developed during her challenge. This shooting was my most difficult to perform because I had already let myself become involved with the sport and knew how difficult it was just by watching earlier participants. Not exactly something a good photographer would do, and when I saw what unfolded in the lens of my cameras, it was most difficult to keep my mind focused on my work.
The article I had read about her was in total honesty. She had a lot of courage and stamina to prove it. I felt fortunate that I was there at the right time and in a good location.
Ginger Rhodes was a determined individual. I liked that. She met obstacles on the course that she was going to overcome no matter what the consequence. In her manual wheelchair, with unbelievable arm strength, pure guts, and determination, she scaled the first ramp and began waltzing down the stairs and then suddenly started to go over face first.
She grabbed her grit and headed for the corner, spun her wheelchair within a tight coned area and headed for the double doors. Not just one door, but two.
The object here was to open the first door, close it and immediately duck her head to pass through the lower half of the second door, spaced about three feet or so from the first.
I groaned silently as I saw her pause to look back and make sure she got the door closed and wanted to yell, "move it...you got it!"
She made the next turn and headed toward my position. As she turned to make the pass in front of me, I saw the determination in her eyes and strain on her face.
I found her magnificent performance difficult to watch through only the lens of my cameras and desperately wanted to cheer her on as she struggled to mount the cylinder tracks near the side of me as I pivoted my wheelchair and kept shooting.
Ginger mounted the cylinder rods with what must have seemed an eternity of struggle for her.
And don't kid yourself, those attendants are NOT touching her chair!
The roar from the spectators and applause for her drew a huge crowd of people, but I doubt Ginger heard anything except her own heartbeat.
She rocked and rolled over what appeared to be a number of two-inch thick 4x6 boards placed on a platform and headed for another turn-on-a-dime swing, before going up what appeared to be a tilted 45 degree ramp.
This obstacle took a lot of arm strength and hand grasp to keep from sliding backwards and following the struggle, she made it!
Taking the tight slopping turn before heading down the other side, she got in a hurry and went down on the floor at the end of the ramp with her hands stretched out to break her fall.
They got her up and she was off faster then I could pop the lens on the camera.
This gal was not going to quit! There were a couple of more turns on a dime.
Then she gave it all she had to get home to the finish line.
Outstanding performance!Tennis
It was interesting to realize the large area marked off for Table Tennis, number of tables (at least 14), and the overall audience it drew. I guess I was not expecting to see the huge turnout for this sport that is so vigorously advocated at most rehabilitation centers. Which later made even less sense to my way of thinking, because common sense should have told me that Tennis would be a favorite. Rules from the the Table Tennis Association governed the competition with allowances for wheelchair movement.
Greg Joyce came from a special breed that gave him the ability to help others and become a part of the world within society. I found him to be aggressive in every task, eager to promote awareness, and an intense worker, when I met him through the 10th Anniversary of The Spirit of the National American Disabilities Act Torch Relay. His aggressive attitude was no different in sports.
Greg entered five competitions at NVWG: Tennis, Slalom, 9-Ball, Weightlifting, and Softball. His eleven year old daughter, Jessica, attended the events with him and volunteered her help. During Greg's extra time at the table Jessica was able to join him in a game.
9-Ball Pool
Immediately after lunch, I headed over to Galaxy Billiards for class II-III 9-Ball Pool. But after I got inside of the billiards area, I realized I would probably get my head knocked off with a cue stick if I attempted maneuvering around the tables during the games, so I asked someone else to take a couple of shots for me. As I waited on the sideline, I could not help but notice the man at the table nearest me.
He had on a red and white shirt with "Hawaii" written across the front of it in bold letters. Of course my curiosity got the best of me and I asked someone to find out if he really was from Hawaii. Not only was he from my beloved island, but he was also the only participant from Hawaii, according to what he told me. We "talked story" for a few moments and then he was called to the table.
The middle photo is a shot of the Billiard Parlor taken from the location I was situated, and the third photo was taken just after the break shot of the man (Greg Joyce) who promised to teach me how to shoot pool from my wheelchair.
Swimming
At the Natatorium a swimming event was being held at the same time Weightlifting started. Now, swimming being a number one sport of my own, made it difficult to have to draw straws for which event I would attend. I opted to go to the Weightlifting event because of two reasons: First the factor of the distance would have possibly created a problem in my not seeing any of the Weighlifting, and second, I decided it would be easier to go back to the Convention Center from there.
As it worked out, I lucked out with both anyway. The pictures above are of Bonnie Sampsell who took a Gold Medal in the 100 Yard event. I later met Bonnie on the final day of the games, and featured her in my closing article. I am not sure who took the above pictures, but she was kind enough to loan them to me to post on this site. Aren't they great? She is too!
Weightlifting
Too often, people underestimate the strength of someone in a wheelchair. In spite of knowing this, I was fascinated by the strength of these men considering the fact that all were in wheelchairs. Upper body strength for those that can maintain the stamina for upper body building is important and weight lifting is certainly an excellent way of doing it. At the 20th National Veterans Wheelchair Competition there were two classes: High Para and Low Para/Amputee each defined by body weight.
In the high para class, Gregory Joyce moved out quickly when his name was called for his first lift of 175 pounds. I decided to capture his actions with photography. He cautiously checked out the set-up before mounting the bench. The concentration on his face was obvious and I could tell in an instant that he knew what he was doing.
He made the lift smooth and with little to no effort. When he returned to where his daughter, Jessica, and I were sitting, I asked him why he did not hold it up a little longer so I could get some good shots. While he waited for his turn for his second lift, I checked out the lifts being made at the low para arena.
Weightlifting was an old-time favorite of mine. My having two brothers brought a flood of memories of my own time spent in a gym and trying to be as good as I could, which of course was less than them. The rules of weight lifting unchanged; only time and physical challenges, but my main objective to watch the Weightlifting competition was to see the friend who had encouraged my attendance. Married and the father of two children, Greg Joyce's daughter accompanied him to all events and also shared the same charisma.
Greg Joyce, The Woodlands, Texas (Air Force)
A few minutes after I returned, Greg's name was called again, and with the same concentration I witnessed earlier, he wheeled back over to the bench, while I decided to change my shooting position. When Greg made the lift I had time to snap the lens several times while his arms were fully extended with 205 pounds. After his lift, we both returned from the bench area about the same time, "Hey Julia', he asked, 'Did you get it this time? I was trying to turn my head to see where you were to make sure you got the shot!" Jessica and I both got a good laugh at his antics, then he decided to go for his third lift at 225 pounds.
He made the lift! Greg Joyce won a gold medal for his class.
Friday, July 7th, 2000
Field Events
Discus
Paul Baumgardner, Coldwater, MI
As I entered the area for the field events, I began checking out the twelve different pits. There were at least two first aid tents set-up with drinking water and assistive resources midway between the pit areas. My first stop was at Pit 1 where Paul Baumgardner was involved with Class IV Discus. My interest immediately fell to the spikes in the ground holding straps securing the "throw position chair" or wheelchair, if the sportsman threw from his wheelchair. White chalk lines vividly marked the ground circling his arena and stretched out forming a vee to mark the throw area. It rather reminded me of my son, John, who so many years ago, chalked baseball fields for Little League.
But, this was not Little League; This was the Big League, with Veterans who were heroes and physically challenged utilizing their wit, strength, and power to meet their own goals in their specified handicap division. ("Handicap" as in "Sports!")
Shot Put
Larry T. Hughes, M.S., M.I.S., Baltimore, Maryland (Marine)
Eventually, I rolled on to the next pit, and the next, and the next, and then stopped at Pit 10 where I unknowingly watched the all-around champ getting ready for a shot put throw. He was a large man with obvious strong upper body strength, and I was drawn to watch his every movement. He mounted the chair, checking the straps, and prepared for his first throw. As he drew back his arm with the ball, and cupped his left hand to the side of his neck, I wondered just how good his throw would be. Watching him move as if to silent music and hearing the thundering emotion roar from within his lungs was awesome.
I captured his movements in shots of my own and I suppose he noticed my interest, because after he completed his final throw and dismounted, he wheeled over to me. I soon wondered who was interviewing who as he began asking me questions. The questions led to answers I never dared ask as he informed me about the American Paralympic Games. Then he invited me to listen to his instruction at the Discus arena and I followed him back to Pit One.
Watching the people surround Larry and listen to his every word was interesting in itself. This man had a captivated audience and I found myself watching their reactions to my own satisfaction while wondering just exactly who this man was that could throw a Shot Put like he just did.
Javelin
From there I headed toward the sideline to regroup my thoughts, check notes and cameras, before surging on to the Javelin throw. As it worked out, Luger Pepin and his wife, Peggy, were also relaxing while waiting for Luger's turn at Javelin in Pit 12, which was directly opposite of Pit One and I stopped to meet them. Come to find out, both were camera bugs and it appeared that we had a lot in common.
Luger Pepin, Liveoak, FL (Seabees)
Luger Pepin was another hero with great upper body strength and excellent leg muscles considering his physical injuries. He wore a neck brace when he entered the Javelin pit, and his form appeared correct as he prepared for his first throw. Again, I captured the moment on film. Later, I learned that he had captured a "favorite moment" of me on film (which is hidden someplace on this site). After his final throw, I had to boogie over to the motor track, but I later caught up with the Pepin's the following day.
Motorized Racing
Now this track really got to me as it brought back a surge of memories of auto racing. Granted, this was a slightly different style of racing and here they did not use cars or legs, but these vehicles all had wheels and I would have gladly given both heart and soul to just get out there once and run it with my own wheels. However, the fact was that I was there for another reason and did not qualify as a veteran anyway, so I docked on the accessible platform instead of a pit and waited.
I posted during the time the motorized scooter's were revving and pulled the lens on the zoom out as far as I could to reach their starting point on the opposite side of the track. After developing, I decided the shot was too far and opted for the views you see as the first heroes head across the finish line. Notice that each racer had an assistant running behind their vehicle. I could not help but notice that the runners seemed to be a bit more tired than the drivers, but my biggest surprise came on the final day of the games.
Quad Rugby
Next on the list was a quick trip back over to the convention center to see what Quad Rugby was all about. This event I thought was even tougher than football. How do these men do it? Where does their stamina come from anyway? One thing for sure, I knew I could not write a report on this one, because I simply did not understand it and sat there in shock as I watched them rough it up on the field inside the convention center.
Saturday, July 8th, 2000
Field Events
Archery
I am not exactly sure why I was so determined about attending the Archery events, perhaps it had something to do with shooting at targets, but my bow and arrow days were only as a kid and I had little knowledge except realizing you had to have a bow and arrow. As I entered the field, the set-up captured my heart, to say nothing of my interest for sports, and I was off to find someone I would recognize. Recognizing someone did not take very long, nor was it difficult, because the Pepins whom I had met the day before were there. I decided to take advantage of an open spot for what I hoped would be some great photography.
Well, it did not take long before someone came along and ran me off to the rear of the archers. But the photos have to be among some of the neatest shots I was able to capture. I took a few more from behind the scenes and then headed over to the softball field.
On my way over to the "field" I got a little side tracked when meeting an interesting lady who had an assistant canine named Packer. We chatted for a while, then I decided I better get back to my perspective. Someone told me about a "short cut" I could take across the track. Well, guess what track they were talking about?
It was the same track where the day before the motor races were performed and I would be willing to bet anyone that has read this far along with this article, has by now figured out exactly what I did and you are right! I cranked the speed up on my little Quickie and I think I must have cleared at least twelve miles per hour! It was almost as good as driving my once upon a time Mustang with five on the floor and nearly as close to the ground as the Fiero! What a hoot!
Softball
The "softball field" was not exactly a "soft field" of grass, instead it was in a parking lot that had been chalked off for the game. Again I found myself thinking of one of my children and remembering sports we had all been close to. Son David is still an avid baseball fan as a matter of fact, and I wished he could have been there to see this game of softball. These men moved as fast on wheels as anyone on legs, and I especially enjoyed the pitcher while watching his quick maneuvers from his wheelchair.
I also wondered if my son could still throw like he did when he played, but had little time to spend reminiscing and barely caught part of a game as it was because there were still two other events I wanted to capture and both events were across town. I hurried over the same route I came and grabbed one more solo race around half of the track on my way back to the van.
5K Road Race
Well, you guessed it again! But by the time I reached Fort Sam Houston, I had missed the Hand Cycling event and the last of the Racers were just coming in but none the less, the last that came in were terrific!
There were nine participants and my understanding was that all made it back except for one that ran into some problems. I took shots of anyone on a cycle or racer and they looked great! But this was it! I had to make a dash for Hemisfair Park and was hoping the Motorized Wheelchair Rally was still going by the time I got there.
On my way, I decided that if the event was still going on, I would attempt tagging up with someone for an interview and go on the rally. It was my last chance to really experience these games. The funny part was that I had no idea what a Motorized Wheelchair Rally was.
Motorized Wheelchair Rally
Hemisfair Park, San Antonio, Texas
Hemisfair Park was right around the corner from the Convention Center and I felt like Speedy Gonzales as I rushed over from the parking lot finding still a number of people there waiting in line to go on the Rally. I had to laugh at myself in spite of "racing" over as I pulled up next to the check-in point and listened to the basics and watched the people check in.
Apparently there were several points along the way where the participant would be asked certain questions, receive a playing card, and then continue to the next stop. The person who had all the answers correct at the end of the six stops, would then discard one playing card and whoever had the best poker hand would win the Rally.
It seemed like kind of a fun thing to do and granted I could not participate, but I knew that I could at least tag up with a willing participant and go along on the side line. It was a golden opportunity for me, both as a media person and photographer, to actually experience this event. I sat there at the registration table for a few minutes and tried to decide who to ask. Everyone was so friendly and happy that it really was a tough choice to make.
A young woman stood near a lady in a wheelchair that I noticed earlier in the week and I was fairly certain she was the same woman who had jumped on the back of the ladies wheelchair for a ride across the street to the Marriott from the Convention Center. As far as I was concerned, anyone that spunky would be fun to tag up with and decided to ask them after they registered.
While I waited for them to approach the table, I was able to learn the first question and it was a little humorous to watch the people. The task was to sniff something in a paper sack and try to guess what it was. The participant was only to tell his assistant and the assistant would write the answer given down on a piece of paper.
By the time the woman arrived, I was having anticipation pains for wanting to sniff the sack. I stopped the two woman after they registered and waited while the lady sniffed the sack before asking if they would mind if I accompanied them along their journey. They accepted my quest and off we went. Of course the first thing I wanted to know was what was in the sack, but I at least waited until I learned their names.
Come to find out, this was a Mother and Daughter Team. Bonnie Sampsell was in the Army for five years when she ended up with a horrific job related injury that left her a quadriplegic. Her twenty-one year old daughter, Carrie Gahret, was attending her second wheelchair game with her. Bonnie had already won a gold medal for Bowling and a gold medal for Swimming a hundred yards, plus she had earned a silver medal for Tennis.
Except for the sun being so hot, and Bonnie's arms getting sun-burned because she did not have her arm braces on, it was a perfect day for a slow ride in the park. At the next stop, she was asked a question about the State of Texas and selected another card for her poker hand.
The parked was marked with flags to guide the participants through an interesting maze of the area and included beautiful landscapes to enjoy along the way. A jazzy tune was played for a few seconds at another point, which was rather funny because people would start singing the tune out loud and no matter how soft the music was played, the next person would already know the name of the tune.
At another stop I was able to capture her expression when trying to figure out the name of a Texas Wildflower. Several waterfalls along this completely accessible park caught my attention. I lived in San Antonio for a few years, and visited frequently since I moved away, but never knew this area existed.
I was impressed to find periodic stopping points with water, first aid, and sunscreen that was quickly put on Bonnie's arms and legs. The Veteran's sure did the entire 20th National Veterans Wheelchair Game up right! And what a first class act this Mother and Daughter team made!
Bonnie made it through the Rally and I think she got all of her answers correct, but she did not have the winning poker hand. But like all the other heroes, she was a already a winner anyway just for her Military Pride!
Carrie Gehret and mother, Bonnie Sampsell
