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10 • THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2011
LIFE OVER THE MOUNTAIN
JOU RNAL
Each summer, Adaptive Aquatics hosts hundreds of disabled Alabamians of all ages and abilities on Lay Lake. Joe Ray, far right in front, teaches the
classes. Joe was paralyzed from the waste down in a car accident and has been water skiing ever since. Photo special to the Journal
Hope Floats
Adaptive Aquatics Teaches Disabled to Water Ski and More
BY LAURA MCALISTER Walker Ray, 6, tries
JOURNAL EDITOR water skiing for the
A
first time at Adaptive
fter a car accident left him paralyzed from Aquatics on Lay Lake
the waist down when he was 20 years old, in Wilsonville. Walker
Joe Ray could have given up. Instead, he of Mountain Brook
went water skiing. has low muscle tone,
Now 53, Joe enjoyed the sport so much that he’s making traditional
still doing it – and he’s also been teaching others with water skiing difficult,
disabilities that they can do it, too. but thanks to the
Joe is executive director of Adaptive Aquatics on
equipment at Adaptive
Lay Lake in nearby
Wilsonville. The non- Aquatics, he can enjoy
profit program serves the sport.
handicapped people of Photo special to the Journal
all ages and abilities
throughout the state by
teaching them how to
“We moved to Alabama 111⁄2 years ago, and we’ve Walker was born with a condition where he has lit-
The 3-Hour Tour is a fundraiser for water ski using adap- just been overwhelmed by all the wonderful programs tle muscle tone. Susan never really thought about the
Adaptive Aquatics. There will be live tive equipment that
meets their special for our son, and one of those is Adaptive Aquatics,” possibility of her son water skiing until they met Joe.
entertainment plus a silent and live needs. she said. “Joe Ray has this incredible personality, and “Joe says everybody can ski, and he’s absolutely
auction. This year, Adaptive he works with each of them to let them know their right,” she said. “I was a little worried (Walker)
When: 6-9 p.m. April 28 Aquatics will celebrate full potential. When Abraham has gone, he’s felt very wouldn’t be able to get up, but he popped right up.
its 30th anniversary, empowered.” He got it 100 percent and was able to do it all by him-
Where: SoHo’s Rosewood Hall Empowering those with disabilities is what prompt- self.”
Tickets: $60 a person or $100 a as well as a new facil-
ity, with its 3-Hour ed Joe to get involved with Adaptive Aquatics in the Joe’s students are often referred through programs
couple. first place. like the Lakeshore Foundation and Camp ASCCA, but
Contact: www.adaptiveaquatics.org Tour fundraiser set for
April 28 at SoHo’s The program was started by Phil Martin in 1980. Joe does a lot of the recruiting himself.
Rosewood Hall. The Phil, a pioneer of adapted water skiing, also worked “I get a lot of things I used to think thrown back
event will include a silent auction, hors d’oeuvres, with Camp ASCCA on Lake Martin teaching those at me,” he said. “I used to think – I’ve never skied, I
cash bar and entertainment. with disabilities to water ski. That’s where Joe learned can’t swim in a wheelchair. It’s just all about the adap-
Tickets are $60 a person or $100 a couple. All the skill. tations. Everybody’s disability is different.”
proceeds benefit Adaptive Aquatics, which is funded The adaptive equipment allowed him to trade his While the sit ski enables those who are wheelchair-
solely through donations. wheelchair for a ski that he could ride on sitting down. bound to ski, Joe said they also have equipment for
“This fundraiser is very important,” said Natalie “I just loved it, so Phil convinced me to start help- those paralyzed just on one side of their body, people
Hausman-Weiss of Mountain Brook. “This is such a ing him teach,” Joe said. “It’s just great. Water really with prosthetics and the blind. The program recently
wonderful program, and Joe is absolutely committed is freedom. began serving wounded veterans.
to it. The equipment isn’t inexpensive, but he doesn’t “For a person with a disability to be free of their Adaptive Aquatics serves 600-800 each year from
turn anyone away.” chair or crutches or whatever they use – that empow- April-Oct. Thanks to the new facility, Joe said, he
Natalie found out about the program through the ers them in such a way you just can’t measure it.” hopes they can serve even more in the coming years.
Lakeshore Foundation, where her son Abraham, 13, Susan Ray, no relation to Joe, of Mountain Brook For more information on Adaptive Aquatics and its
plays sports. Abraham was born with spina bifida and agrees. Her son Walker, 6, attended an Adaptive upcoming fundraiser, visit adaptiveaquatics.org or call
is paralyzed from the waist down. Aquatics clinic for the first time last summer. Joe Ray at 807-7519. ❖
