Add Comment  |  View Comments  |   |  RSS  |  Download Story Making Waves If you can't walk, how can you possibly waterski? With a lot of determination and a little help from some friends. For one magical day each summer, people with disabilities exchange wheelchairs and walkers for waterskis! And as you'll see in the story, riding the waves sets them free. Music by: James Ripp from "Times & Places" Making Waves "I just wanted to commend all of those who make this possible, what an awesome caring thing for you to do!!! As an avid Water Skier myself, I know how free it makes me feel to be up on ski's, I can only imagined how it must feel for those who would otherwise be unable to ever experience this thrill! Keep up the great work! I'd also like to thank the team at StoryBridge for capturing and sharing this wonderful story!...." Comment by Patrick McGinnis More >> watersking "I've gone water skiing for years...." Comment by Rick Thompson More >> Making Waves "As an amateur videographer not only do I agree with the previous comments but I also see the video in a different light...." Comment by Tom Lawrence More >> If you can't walk, how can you possibly waterski? With a lot of determination and a little help from some friends. For one magical day each summer, people with disabilities exchange wheelchairs and walkers for waterskis! And as you'll see in the story, riding the waves sets them free. Music by: James Ripp from "Times & Places" adaptive cerebral palsy disable handicap spinal cord injury waterski wheelchair Comments July 23, 2009 - 3:00pm — Patrick McGinnis (not verified) Making Waves I just wanted to commend all of those who make this possible, what an awesome caring thing for you to do!!! As an avid Water Skier myself, I know how free it makes me feel to be up on ski's, I can only imagined how it must feel for those who would otherwise be unable to ever experience this thrill! Keep up the great work! I'd also like to thank the team at StoryBridge for capturing and sharing this wonderful story! reply December 14, 2007 - 10:21pm — Rick Thompson (not verified) watersking I've gone water skiing for years. I look forward to it every summer. I want to again thank all the volunteers that make it possible. I love the thrill, the rush, of ripping around the lake. It gets my blood pumping. I'm always good for a crash or two, but we all have a great time. I'm thankful to Katy for showing that a physical disability can't stop you from having fun. Rick reply December 13, 2007 - 10:24pm — Tom Lawrence (not verified) Making Waves As an amateur videographer not only do I agree with the previous comments but I also see the video in a different light. It's a powerful and and at the same time enjoyable video. It reminds of the days when I skied down hill behind people who were blind, being talked through the moves by helpers. It's amazing what these people have achieved through guts and determination. The video was well done and professional enough to be on national TV. I'm especially proud of my nephew, Jim Ripp, who's music seems to fit the project eloquently. Keep up the good work. Tom Lawrence VideoMan Productions. reply December 12, 2007 - 9:03pm — James Ripp (not verified) You've Done It Again Katy, You've done it again. As my Grandmother (Nana) used to say, "you made my eyes sweat" Another beautiful heart warming story and I am honored that my music was a part of it. James. reply December 6, 2007 - 4:27pm — Gladys (not verified) Making Waves Just to see the look at all those skiiers on a very rainy cool day made it all worth while. Thanks to Jeff & UW-W for making it happen. Katy did a great job of pulling the story out of all of us. Thanks, Grandma (Jerod's Grandma) P.S. I'm glad my husband had a chance to see the video before he died 12-03. reply December 4, 2007 - 7:09pm — Tony Wagener (not verified) Waves of hope I am a waterskier and a UW-Whitewater student. I have helped hundreds of people from all walks of life and no story has touched me like this one. Seeing this story made a huge impact for me and I hope that this event only gets better. Tony reply December 3, 2007 - 6:15pm — Scott Thrilled to help My wife and I have been helping Jeff, Kathy, Luke and the rest of the group for quite a few years now and it is an event that we sincerely look forward to. Typically you will find us operating the "family photography platform" (a glorified term for a pontoon boat) or one of the "chase and jumper vehicles" (personal water crafts for the last couple of years). When you hear of a participant speak of "slaying their dragon" or "forgetting their physical challenges" it simply makes every moment worthwhile. To think that 15 minutes of effort can leave another person with an hour, day, week, or pehaps even a lifetime of positive wonderful memories.... how could one not consider it to be time well invested? reply December 3, 2007 - 4:25pm — steph schubring (not verified) Water skiing I've participated in the adaptive water skiing a few times.IndependenceFirst is an organization very close to my heart. I want to say Thank You to Kathy Mohar and all of the volunteers who make the day possible. reply November 30, 2007 - 8:46am — Tanya Manke (not verified) Waterskiing I just wanted to thank Jeff and ALL of the people who help him each year to put the waterskiing event together. It really means a lot to all of us, and Jared gets so excited each year! We can't wait for next year! Tanya reply Post new comment Your name: E-mail: The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. 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ALL ACCESS UW-Whitewater has a specific mission to serve students with disabilities. The campus is one of the most accessible in the nation. Center for Students with Disabilities. IndependenceFirst Adaptive waterskiing is just one of the sports programs coordinated by IndependenceFirst. Get involved! WHEELCHAIR WARRIORS Meet the Warhawks -- a force to be reckoned with!

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