By Emma Bouthillette
Staff Writer
Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 15 years ago, Gorham resident Terri Perry, 39, lost her ability to participate in activities she enjoyed. Perry said she used to golf, fish, snow shoe and play softball. Now with the help of adaptive equipment, Perry has regained her ability to golf.
Maine Handicap Skiing hosted “First Swing” June 2 to kick off its summer golfing season at Toddy Brook Golf Course in North Yarmouth.
“I let Maine Handicapped Skiing use my golf course for their summer events. They are here golfing every Monday,” said General Manager of Toddy Brook Pro Shop, Mike Smith.
This year, a Solo Rider was borrowed from a dealership in Pittsfield for handicapped people wanting to swing a club.
The Solo Rider is a single person golf cart with hand controls rather than gas pedals. Another difference is handicapped golfers can take the Solo Rider on greens as well as teeing ground enabling them to play a full 18-hole game. Perry and three other people took turns using the Solo Rider on the driving range.
With the rider strapped in place, the cart’s seat swivels and tilts allowing the rider to stand in tee-off or putting position without having to use lower body support.
“It is a lot of upper body work. I don’t have a lot of spinal connection to my lower body, so I can’t stand without support,” Perry said.
She said she thinks the piece of equipment was “great” and said her swing wasn’t too bad.
The Solo Rider cost $8,000. Perry said she cannot afford to buy this piece of adaptive equipment, but is anxiously waiting for Maine Handicapped Skiing to make the purchase.
Program Director for Maine Handicapped Skiing Judy Sullivan said they are in the process of raising funds to buy the Solo Rider. They are working with the Lion Clubs of Maine and applying for grants. Once purchased, the Solo Rider will be at Toddy Brook and available for Maine Handicapped Skiing members to use. Sullivan said the idea is to have the equipment available for the summer programs, but also allow the Solo Rider to be transported to other local golf courses when not in use at Toddy Brook.
“It would open up our golf program to a lot of other people,” Sullivan said.
Perry became involved with Maine Handicapped Skiing six years ago. She said she has already called a few friends she played golf with in the past looking for a partner.
Maine Handicapped Skiing offers free programs year round for the handicapped. If equipment is out of personal budget range, Maine Handicapped Skiing has equipment available for use.
While Perry knows Maine Handicapped Skiing has equipment for her to use, she has her own collection of adaptive equipment.
Maine Handicapped Skiing introduced Perry to a duel ski and a hand cycle. The hand cycle is styled like a recumbent bike, but with two rear wheels. Perry stretches out her legs into braces and then moves the pedals by hand. The duel ski, a chair fitted with two skis and special poles, allows her to alpine ski without using lower body strength.
Maine Handicapped Skiing has been running summer programs since 1998. The organization began in 1982, focusing on handicapped skiing. Now it offers programs in golfing, cycling and paddling as well.
The programs are free to participants thanks to fundraising efforts. An annual ski-a-thon at Sunday River funds about 65 percent of its operation budget. This year they raised $304,000. Remaining money comes from grants and donations.
“When you are handicapped, you get used to always having people help you. The volunteers for Maine Handicapped Skiing are incredible how much they care,” Perry said.