http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/207396/sheer-joy-of-sport-for-physically-challenged-kids.html

It was a bummer that Pete had already departed for the clinic and donations in Visag, but hopefully we will be seeing posts from the extensive media coverage he had down there soon!

Michael was instrumental in coordinating and organizing the clinic at Amar Jyoti, and in arranging for lodging with AADI for Shelley, Greg and Pete during their stay in New Delhi. As well, he greeted and arranged for pick up of the passengers and the wheelchairs at the airport upon their arrival. Also, Michael assisted in resolving a customs snag when the wheelchairs first got to India — the officials in customs wanted to charge duty fees on the wheelchairs, even though they were being donated to a non-profit — without his assistance, the wheelchairs may have got stuck at customs, or WAW would have had to pay monies to get them cleared. Michael spent both days of the clinic at Amar Jyoti taking pictures, and helping Pete & Greg with the actual clinic, and then flew down to Vizag with Pete to co-conduct the clinic there. His advice, suggestions, and many contacts in India helped make this trip and this Project go a lot smoother and easier than it otherwise would have. His deep love of basketball and passion for working with the disabled blended well with WAW’s goals. Thank-you sooo much Michael!

Shelley ended up being a humongous asset, and of invaluable assistance on this Project. After Dan Altan couldn’t go due to a shoulder injury requiring surgery, and after Chuck Gill couldn’t go due to business/family commitments, the thought was to only have Peter and Greg go to India by themselves. However, somewhere along the line Shelley decided she would go and help us out, and that was a decision that WAW greatly benefited from. Shelley worked as hard as either of the two guys and was definitely more popular than both of them combined. Being a trained Physical Therapist and having worked with disabled athletes/people for many years, she was extremely comfortable taking an interactive role. The children and staff at Amar Jyoti LOVED her (see some of the pics in the Photo Gallery). She was constantly taking pictures/video, helping with drills and organization, and overall doing anything and everything that needed to be done for WAW. With no offense to either Greg or Peter, she was our actual, and more effective “ambassador” on this trip. We were pleased and thankful to have her, and without hesitation would love to have her on any future Projects. Biggest of Thanks Shelley!

The initial plan was to donate only 11 chairs to the India Project, but recognizing the need being as great as it is, Peter Hughes decided to donate his personal basketball wheelchair to the kids at Amar Jyoti school. Pictures of the wheelchairs donated to India can be seen in the “Photo Gallery”.

Our hope is that both Amar Jyoti and The Ability People will utilize the wheelchairs on a regular basis with an adaptive sports program that allows participants to use the chairs to play sports (basketball, soccer, rugby, etc..). We will follow up with each organization in the following months to see how the chairs are being utilized.

Our goal now is to 1. Raise money to pay for costs incurred for the India Project which some of the guys have so far covered with their own funds, and 2. Raise money for the next Project — the country and the non-profit not yet finalized.

The initiative was part of ‘Badhte Kadam’, which is an awareness raising campaign by the National Trust aiming to create opportunities and participation in the community of People with Disabilities. Amar Jyoti, the venue for this event, is an inclusive school where students with and without disabilities learn together.

Natt was welcomed at the event by representatives from WAW and accomplished wheelchair athletes Peter Hughes and Greg Hockensmith. This was WAW’s first donation: Unlike regular wheelchairs – which are used by disabled youngsters at Amar Jyoti when they play basketball – the sports wheelchairs allow for better mobility and efficiency when taking parts in sports such as basketball and rugby.

Natt, an accomplished named in basketball who has had stints as a player and a coach with the NBA, took the role of student for a change as he was given tips on the rules and regulations of wheelchair basketball by experienced wheelchair athletes at the event. Hughes and Hockensmith then conducted short drills with several physically disabled under-14 students at Amar Jyoti to help them understand appropriate use of the sports wheelchairs.

The children, WAW athletes, and coach Natt then competed in a friendly wheelchair basketball game, as students from nearby schools gathered to watch and encourage the young hoopsters.

“I have played basketball at every level in my life, but this was completely new and different to me,” said Natt, “I had a lot of fun today: it takes a lot of hard work and practice to be an accomplished wheelchair basketball player. I’m sure I’ll be back here again!”

“Sport is great in several ways: it gives us an opportunity to compete and also to achieve together as a team,” Natt further encouraged the youngsters, “With sports, there is no limit to what you can accomplish, as long as you give in your hard work, your commitment, and practice. I encourage the young players here to focus on improving the weaker aspects of their game so that they can become better basketball players.”

“I’m honoured to be here, and I also commend Wheelchair Athletes Worldwide for their donation to the children.”

Very grey here in New York but I woke up feeling better then I have in months. The stress of getting ready for this project seems to be completely gone and in its place is anticipation of seeing smiles on faces when people get to play in sports chairs for the first time. In 1999, I sat in a sport wheelchair for the first time and it changed my life literally overnight. What an amazing tool sport can be for self-esteem building. The change of perception in not only the way you view yourself but in the way people look at you is amazing. This is our hope for the few people we meet this week. I am pumped up about it!
New photos can be seen on our photo link. I anticipate the blog will be more difficult to update from India but will do my best. Peace to all and thanks so much for your continuing support.

Got to love the energy of New York. Bags collected and chairs slowly came out with one backrest missing but found on the last chair hanging by some Velcro brought a smile back to my face. Will tape backrest on prior to departure tomorrow. Mr. John Hamre was right on time and we packed chairs like sardines for the short ride to meet Mr.Riwo Norbhu at air India. Super nice Mr. Norbhu and I were told we might have to wrap the wheelchairs tomorrow prior to departure. If necessary I will do it without complaint. After all so far great support. Chairs secured, Mr. Hamre dropped me off in Brooklyn were I wait for my cousin so we can devour Grimaldi’s pizza which is worth a flight to New York by itself. I’ll attempt to send photos after I eat. Priorities after all!