October 4, 2011

Celebrate Ability Week began with an adaptive golf demonstration and MU wheelchair basketball open house Monday in the Student Recreation Complex.

Students were exposed to the athletic accommodations that enable people who are handicapped to play golf and basketball.

“We’re here to change the attitudes of people who are able-bodied,” adaptive golf instructor and consultant Dany Baker said. “A lot of people don’t understand that people with disabilities can still play sports, let alone golf. But it’s not about greatness at golf. It’s about the activity and the experience.”

Single rider golf carts allow people with disabilities to play golf completely independently, Baker said. Although the advanced carts are priced between $5,000 and $10,000, the unique experience they provide for otherwise sports-deprived disabled people is unmatchable.

The carts include an electronic swivel seat that a golfer may adjust to the desired position. Specially designed clubs also allow the golfer to handle the tees and balls from the comfort of their seat. Jerry Hitzhusen, associate professor in the MU Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, said the biggest challenge for people who are disabled is no longer their physical limits, but mostly the mental aspect.

“People don’t want to seem like they’re handicapped,” Hitzhusen said. “They are too embarrassed to go out and play sports with able-bodied people. But if you really want to play golf, you have the opportunity to play and be independent. It just takes the right attitude.”

The Americans with Disabilities Act mandates that all public golf courses are required to accommodate golfers with disabilities, as well as their equipment.

“ADA is important because all the facilities need to be handicap accessible,” Hitzhusen said. ”Not only the bathrooms and restaurants, but also the golf courses.”

Basketball players with disabilities have also taken advantage of their chance to compete, MU wheelchair basketball coach Ron Lykins said.

“Our guys have learned some things about themselves they didn’t really know,” Lykins said. “They get the chance to participate in sports and be competitive just like any able-bodied kid.”

Wheelchair basketball players don’t let their disabilities hold them back from their natural athletic intensity, Lykins said.

“We’re teaching the kids to become good wheelchair basketball players,” Lykins said. “We strive to become a good team and play to the best of our ability, just like teams in any other sport. This is just another version of basketball. You have men’s basketball, women’s basketball and wheelchair basketball.”

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