Accessing Arizona

Wheelchairs and wheelies are pretty synonymous. The both go hand in hand. But when a guy jumps from his Quickie on to a Suzuki and flies up and down the road doing wheelies, all while the police are applauding, well that something to see.

It all happened on Saturday at the 1st Annual Northern Arizona Disabled Sports & Recreation Expo at the Prescott YMCA, and was sponsored by Arizona Disabled Sports, which is located in Mesa, Arizona. Adaptive sports and recreational activities are quite common in and around metropolitan Phoenix and Tucson. Outside of Arizona’s two large cities, few organizations have the budgets to devote towards equipment and personnel required to operate organized events for people with disabilities. ADS sponsored the expo to demonstrate adapted sports and recreation to those who may not be aware that the activities are available. Experts including Paralympic athletes were on hand to demonstrate sports such as quad rugby, basketball, tennis, biking, skiing, kayaking, and horseback riding.

Topping off the event, motorcycle expert Lee Beaver came over from Bullhead City to demonstrate his custom street bike. Lee, who is confined to a wheelchair from a prior accident adapted the street bike with two arms that rotate down to support the bike when stopped or going slow. When he has sufficient speed, he pushes a button and raises the arms. And when the arms raise, Lee and the bike gave all of those who attended an amazing demonstration. Presscott police temporarily shut down the road in front of the YMCA so that Lee could safely accelerate to well past the speed limit and then perform some great wheelies. Everyone of the 40-50 wheelchair users, the volunteers, and even the police enjoyed the show.

Prescott has a number of great places to explore. Check them all out at Accessing Arizona – Prescott Search. Check out ADS at www.ArizonaDisabledSports.com.

Lee Beaver from Bullhead City, Arizona demonstrated his adapted motorcycle and his wheelie skills to the crowd.

Ashleigh Turner gets some coaching in the use of an off-road hand-bike.

The Prescott YMCA hosted both indoor and outdoor demonstrations of sports and recreation for people with disabilities. Arizona Disabled Sports sponsored the event.

The event allowed the public to sample the various types of adaptive bikes and wheelchairs available for sports and recreation.

Lee Beaver prepares for the demonstration.

Gold medal Paralympian, Scott Hogsett from Phoenix spoke to the crowd during lunch about quad rugby.

Corbin Beu (left) who is the captain of the Arizona Coyotes sled hockey team, and coaches numerous sports for ADS discusses hand-bikes with a local

Accessing Arizona mascot, 'Annie' shakes hands with friends and family members who came to the expo.

Purchase Lee Beaver photos here.