Amputee Coalition Youth Camp / First-Ever Paraclimbing National Championship

Amputee Coalition Youth Camp: A Confidence-Building Experience [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="310"] Attending the Amputee Coalition's youth camp allows campers, such as (from left) Kylie Smith and Alexandra Jobe, to make new friends and reacquaint themselves with old friends. Photograph courtesy of Amy Di Leo.[/caption] This year marked the 15th annual youth camp for the Amputee Coalition. The Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp was held July 19-23 at Camp Joy, Clarksville, Ohio. In total, 131 campers, counselors, and interns gathered; campers came from 30 states, and two traveled from Germany to attend. Many of the counselors are former campers who want to give back to other children with limb loss and limb difference once they age out of camp. Among the counselors were Paralympians Keith Gabel, Tyler Carter, Lacey Henderson, and Travis Ricks. Each year, the camp provides sports, recreation, and social activities for campers, such as fishing, canoeing, archery, nature hikes, team field sports, sitting volleyball, swimming, basketball, creative arts, and educational programs. In the creative arts program the children had opportunities to make suncatchers, bracelets, cards, and music videos. There is also a rock climbing wall and a fully accessible ropes course where each child can set his or her own personal level of challenge. Peer discussion groups facilitated by older campers and amputee mentors help young campers learn that they are not alone. This year included a special western-themed dance and a pool party. Leadership training has also been developed for campers 15 to 17 years old to prepare them to be camp counselors and leaders in their schools and communities. Each night, the camp hosts social events that offer campers the opportunity to enjoy dancing, performing, role-playing, and other activities. One mother sent a letter to the Amputee Coalition, reporting on her daughter's experience: "It was an emotional and confidence-building experience,...one she'll never forget. There is no way to express enough gratitude to all those who made this camp possible." * * * * *

First-Ever Paraclimbing National Championship: Reaching New Heights [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="200"] Craig DeMartino flowing through his climb. Photograph by Daniel Lockwood, courtesy of USA Climbing.[/caption] The first-ever USA Climbing Paraclimbing National Championship was held July 18-19 at the Stone Summit, Atlanta, Georgia, climbing gym. Thirty-two adult competitors and seven youth participated in six categories: arm amputee, leg amputee, physical/neurological disability, visual impairment, seated, and youth; all categories were split into male and female divisions as well. The competition followed Red Point format, in which many different climbing routes are provided-in this case 40-each with a different difficulty level and corresponding points to account for the difficulty level. Scoring was based on the best three climbs competitors completed in the allotted time. Among the routes to choose from, some were specifically set to accommodate certain disability categories. The climbs were also accessible to all levels of climbers, from beginner to advanced, and all climbing was done on top rope, meaning the climber is harnessed into a rope system that is anchored at the top of the ascent with a belayer below. The competition served as the qualifier for the 2014 International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World Paraclimbing Championship to be held in Gijón, Spain, September 8-14. The top three from each category received a berth to represent the United States. Winners in the adult categories were as follows: Lower-Limb Amputee, Female: 1 st , Christa Brelsford; 2 nd , Bonnie Denis; and 3 rd , Lisa Aguilar. Lower-Limb Amputee, Male: 1 st , Craig DeMartino; 2 nd , Ronnie Dickson; and 3 rd , Corey Ramos. Upper-Limb Amputee, Female: 1 st , Maureen Beck. Upper-Limb Amputee, Male: 1 st , Ryan Snyder; and 2 nd , Jon Sedor. Seated, Female: 1 st , Chloe Crawford; 2 nd , Carly Pearson; and 3 rd , Julia Sikut. Seated, Male: 1 st , Samir Jusupovic; 2 nd , Quemel Arroyo; and 3 rd Daniel Smith. Neurological/Physical Disability, Female: 1 st , Wendy Ong; 2 nd , Aika Yoshida; and 3 rd , Jillian Bukoski. Neurological/Physical Disability, Male: 1 st , Carlos Romero; 2 nd , Connor King; and 3 rd , Adam Payne. Visually Impaired, Male: 1 st , John McKay; and 2 nd , William Iowary.

Amputee Coalition Youth Camp / First-Ever Paraclimbing National Championship

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Amputee Coalition Youth Camp / First-Ever Paraclimbing National Championship

Amputee Coalition Youth Camp: A Confidence-Building Experience

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