Challenged
America Receives U.S. Sailing Award
March
17, 2005 (San Diego, California) -- "Challenged
America," a free San Diego-based recreational
rehabilitation adaptive sailing program for kids
and adults with disabilities, is the recipient
of U.S. Sailing's 2004 "Outstanding Outreach
and Inclusion Award."
"Challenged
America" was founded in the late 1970's by
disabled veterans who desired to further their
own rehabilitation and advance the sport of sailing
by the inclusion of others having significant
disabilities. Now a charitable program of the
Disabled Businesspersons Association, "Challenged
America" outreaches into the community by
introducing sailing to kids, adults and veterans
with disabilities, their loved ones, and professionals
in recreational rehabilitation and sports therapy.
Providing free learn-to-sail and advanced sailing
educational program and opportunities to hundreds
yearly, from around the world, the volunteer-based
"Challenged America" program is recognized
as one of the pioneer's in the adaptive sailing
field, and leader in recreational rehabilitation.
With
an fleet of 12 donated boats (16 to 40 feet in
length) made adaptable for sailors having severe
and catastrophic disabilities, "Challenged
America" sailors are highly-visible on San
Diego bay and in local races year-round. The "Challenge
America" Sail Team of sailors with disabilities
will be racing in this year's 100th Anniversary
of the Transpacific Yacht Race -- 2,225 nautical
miles from Los Angeles to Honolulu, Hawaii (www.transpacificyc.org).
Funding of the "Challenged America"
free programs comes from tax-deductible vessel
and vehicle donations, sponsorship, and contributions
from the general public.
For additional information on the "Challenged
America" programs, donating your vessel,
sponsorship or volunteering, contact Josh Ross
at "Challenged America", 2240 Shelter
Island Drive, Suite 206, San Diego, CA 92106,
(619) 523-0368, email Ahoy@ChallengedAmerica.org,
or visit www.ChallengedAmerica.org.
About
Challenged America:
In the late 1970's two disable veterans in wheelchairs,
having a love for the sea and wanting to further
their own rehabilitation, were unable to find
a sailing programs able to meet their unique needs,
challenges and goals. They then purchased a sailboat
(a Cal 20) and invited others to sail with them,
developing adaptations to their sailboat as they
honed skills and sailing abilities. By the late
1980's the two disabled veterans were joined by
others )disabled veterans and non-veterans, as
well as the able-bodied) as crew to regularly
race in coastal and offshore events. Their boat
was now a larger,34 foot racer -- a Beneteau First
Class 10.
The
1990 San Diego to Ensenada International Yacht
Race found this crew of sailors with and without
disabilities competing. "Challenged America"
was formally launched with this race.
In
1992 the documentary video "Local Heroes:
Challenged America" highlighted the Challenged
America program as sailors with disabilities raced
in an America's Cup sailboat (America II) alongside
other America's Cup crew. The video was winner
of the national Arts & Entertainment (A&E)
CityVideos Award, and was nominated for an Emmy.
Challenged
America soon became a rehabilitation program under
the Disabled Businesspersons Association, a charitable
501(c)(3) volunteer-based organization, based
at San Diego State University - Interwork Institute.
The
Disabled Businesspersons Association is spotlighted
in the "Guide To Effective Compassion"
(a publication of The Acton Institute, Grand Rapids,
MI) as "...one of the 150 most effective
and compassionate charities in the nation."
Today,
Challenged America (based on Shelter Island, San
Diego, California) is a year-round, therapeutic,
recreational rehabilitation sailing program providing
free learn-to-sail and advanced sailing instruction
and educational opportunities. Hundreds of people
with and without disabilities, from around the
world, participate in the Challenged America program
yearly. (See "2003 Sea Report.")
Funding
for the Challenged America charitable program
is from public bequests, boat and real estate
donations, corporate sponsorship and foundations.
