In October 2020, Bassem Mansour, a disabled athlete, was left paralyzed from the waist down after being hit by a truck while biking. Before the accident, Mansour and his family led an active lifestyle, but he was unsure if he would be able to continue participating in sports. However, Achieve Tahoe, a nonprofit organization that provides sports and recreational programs for people with disabilities in Northern California, had other plans for Mansour.
Recently, Achieve Tahoe received a $50,000 grant from The Hartford’s Adaptive Sports program. This grant allowed them to purchase new adaptive sports equipment, which enabled them to enhance their adaptive sports programming by acquiring additional equipment for kayaking, archery, hiking, and climbing programs. Marina Gardiner, the Guest Services Director at Achieve Tahoe, selected Mansour to receive his own adaptive waterski.
Mansour received a custom adaptive waterski with a seat and restraints for his feet. It was different from the traditional two skis he was used to. It took Mansour some time to adjust to the new equipment, but he was excited to learn the sport and achieve independence through the activity.
Mansour emphasized the importance of adaptive sports in his recovery process and how it helped him stay active and socialize with others. He expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to get back into the sports he loves. Achieve Tahoe’s commitment to providing inclusive sports and recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities has had a positive impact on Mansour’s life.
In conclusion, Achieve Tahoe’s dedication towards providing adaptive sports equipment has helped individuals like Bassem Mansour regain their independence through physical activities. The organization’s mission is essential in promoting an active lifestyle among people with disabilities while fostering social interactions.
