Disabled Sports USA- Sacramento Trip

Derek playing softball

Please do not be alarmed, Derek does not need a wheelchair- thankfully we said goodbye to this July last year. We all played softball in wheelchairs as some people participating on this trip were amputees, so it made it a fairer playing field- though given I have never played the sport before, the wheelchairs were clearly not the greatest handicap for my team.

We are exhausted and sore, but we had an excellent time on the Disabled Sports USA "Their Spirit Inspires" trip. We went to Sacramento and got to partake in a variety of activities: cycling, golfing, white water rafting, wheelchair softball, seeing an AAA Baseball game, and there was plenty of good eating to be had.

We were a little unsure as to how much Derek could participate initially, as the weekend prior Derek managed to slam his left index finger in the car door. The fortunate thing, if you can really call it that, was that he did this in the VA parking lot so we didn't have to travel far to get to the Emergency Room. I dread to think what we would have done if this had happened on the drive down from Portland. It was a pretty bad laceration which required 3 stitches, but thankfully he didn't break /dislocate any bones or lose any part of his finger. Derek also has an almost wolverine power of healing so he was able to participate fully in the activities of our trip and currently the finger is doing well.

I think the white water rafting was my favorite and Derek really got a kick out of the hand bicycle. We will have to try and find a golf course and continue learning this sport, particularly the driving range part. Derek was really starting to get to grips with the putting and driving swing.

So we have to say a big big THANK YOU to Disabled Sports USA for organizing this wonderful trip. It is a great charity as it focuses on peoples abilities not disabilities, illustrating nothing can stop you from living your life to the full. It may take you longer to achieve and perfect, you may also need more support, but it doesn't mean that it is impossible. For instance, Derek was able to try cycling (which he has never in his life attempted) and also go out rafting on the American River. To emphasize further, a fellow participant was able to water ski (standing) for the very first time despite the fact that he is blind. So really anything is possible if you have the right support and put your mind to it.

We have had some really positive news this past week. Firstly, we have an offer for our Portland home!! It is a great offer and the buyers seem very committed, so fingers crossed it all goes through smoothly. It would be such a relief to no longer have that complication. It is a lovely home, but unfortunately it is in the wrong place for us. The other great news is that military housing has become available, and we are looking to move in early July. It is really exciting as the place it is in a great location and extremely well priced for the Bay. I'm not looking forward to having to unpack, but it will be great to have a place to call home again.

Derek and his Physical Therapist

His poor index finger