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DISABLED ATHLETES ENJOY
OFF-HIGHWAY ADVENTURE
Sierra Treasure Hunters 4X4 Club host
members of Disabled Sports USA Far West on the rugged
Fordyce Creek trail
CISCO GROVE, CA – Chanda Rand, 16, of Sparks,
Nev., has epilepsy and her mother, Kathleen, has multiple
sclerosis, but they do not let their physical condition
stand in the way of enjoying outdoor sports and the beauty
of the backcountry.
Chanda and Kathleen were recently joined by 13 other members
of Disabled Sports USA (DSUSA) Far West for a four-wheel
drive adventure on the rugged Fordyce Creek Trail, which
begins near Cisco Grove and ends at Meadow Lake. On this
special day, hosted by the Sacramento-based Sierra Treasure
Hunters Four-Wheel Drive Club, the trip ended at the Fordyce
Creek where everyone enjoyed lunch.
“This is my third year to go four-wheeling with this club,”
said Chanda, “and I really enjoy the scenic ride and
these wonderful people who make it possible. My driver,
Kathy Medley, did a good job even though it was a little
bumpy and sometimes I felt like I was on a roller coaster.”
Chanda said she is also involved with other sports including
white water rafting, snow skiing, horseback riding, and
baseball.
“For Disabled Sports USA, this is an opportunity to offer
a new and exciting sport to our clients,” said Doug
Pringle, president of the Far West Chapter of DSUSA. “For
people with disabilities like Chanda and her mother, this
four-wheel drive program offers an opportunity for our
people to learn safe and responsible operation of
off-highway vehicles.
During registration at the Cisco Grove Campground, Jason
Berger of Truckee, team leader for DSUSA four-wheel drive
trips, briefed the guests. “First, I want to tell you that I
am extremely proud of the Sierra Treasure Hunters and its
members,” Berger said. “They are very skilled at this type
for driving and they are always the first club to
volunteer when I have an off road event planned for our
members. Remember, these are not your ordinary passenger
vehicles, so make sure you secure your seatbelts and enjoy
the ride.”
Enjoy the ride, they did! The guests were laughing, singing
and several of them were heard on the CB radios talking to
their friends about how their driver was the best of the
group.
“It was a super ride and I am loving every minute of it,”
said 22-year-old Anthony Ekalook of Pittsburg. Ekalook, with
his loud music and bottle of water, had a big smile and a
“thumbs up” for everyone as his driver climbed over the big
boulders and made her way up the trail.
After nearly three hours and traveling less than three
miles, the group arrived at the scenic Fordyce Creek for
lunch. This was an opportunity for guests to make new
friends with their colleagues and members of the four-wheel
drive club.
“We have organized this DSUSA trail event several times now
and developed some close friendships with the athletes,”
said Ron Kellogg of Elk Grove, who made the trip with his
son, Mike. “They are so appreciative that we take time
from our other activities to host them on these trips and
they tell us that this is the only was that they can get out
and appreciate the beauty of the backcountry.”
By late afternoon, the group arrived back at the Cisco Grove
Campground where members of the Sierra Treasure Hunters club
had prepared a mouthwatering dinner including hamburgers,
hot dogs, salad and cold drinks.
“It was so much fun and I am ready to go again,” said
Lucia Zargogza, also of Pittsburg. She was a passenger with
Jimmy Clements and he said Lucia never stopped giggling
during the entire trip.
Berger explained that members of DSUSA include
people with cerebral palsy, paraplegia and quadriplegia,
spinal bifida, muscular dystrophy and developmental
disabilities. He said that in addition to four-wheeling
opportunities, his organization offers a variety of sports
programs including snow and water skiing, camping and river
rafting.
For more information on future DSUSA four-wheel drive
trips, contact Doug Pringle at (916) 722-6447 or email
doug@dsusafw.org.
Story and Photos by:
Jack Raudy (530) 389-9154 or
Email;
jraudy@foothill.net
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