My experiences at the First Annual Disabled Sports USA event called SummerFest 2003 were life-changing. Though SummerFest was a weeklong event, I had previous engagements scheduled later in the week, so I had really ambitious plans to get in as much as I could in just two days — Monday and Tuesday.

I saw windsurfing and knew I had to give it a try. Having been interested in surfing as a kid, I wanted to tackle my childhood fears and try it as a one-legged adult. After all, what’s the worst that could happen? Shark attack?!!! I will just stick my prosthetic leg in his mouth and he can bite away. OK, all joking aside, on Monday I went to the windsurfing clinic where I met Art Stevens, who is with U.S. Sailing. This guy was awesome! First he gave me a demonstration in the sand. Then he helped me choose the right board and sail for a guy my size. (We won’t go into that for now.) I walked into the water and he said, “You will get wet; everyone does.” I climbed on and surfed about 100 feet — give or take a few. Wow! I actually did it! Then splash, off I went into the water. OK, now I felt initiated as a beginning wind-surfer.

I climbed back on the board and Art told me to head the opposite direction. I didn’t like the sounds of this. He wanted me to go up wind. He got in the water and began to run (or maybe walk) alongside me all the way back up the beach. Yes, I fell many more times, but that was all part of it. After a few more runs up and down the beach, my body was aching, especially my one foot which was trying to do all of the balancing. I had to get one good run against the wind before I could stop and feel I had achieved something. With Art’s patience and my determination, we made it. I even felt I could do it again without having Art chase me up and down the beach.

As I am writing this piece, I am welling up with tears as I relive this experience and realize this was the most fun I have had in two and a half years since my accident, which cost me numerous broken bones as well as the break which required amputation of my right leg below the knee.

My second day started off with water skiing. I had enjoyed this activity before when I had two legs! How would I be able to ski with my remaining leg, which is held together with steel plates and screws? This is when I met Haakon Lang Ree from the Disabled Sports USA Far West chapter. After I struggled with my pride, Haakon convinced me to use a sit ski. I struggled with my self-image a lot, even when I still had both legs, so the thought of having to use a sit ski was really hard for me — especially since a fellow amputee skied before me using a single ski with her single leg. I am old enough and have learned enough of life’s lessons the hard way, so I took the advice of the pro.

For starters, I had to take off my prosthetic leg so it wouldn’t come off when I disembarked the sit ski. I feel so awkward with my ‘leg’ off, but again, I listened to Haakon, who said this would be best for me. After getting my a*# in the “cradle” as they call it, I got positioned and yelled “Hit It!” Before I knew it, I was skiing!

They had it rigged so the rope was attached to the ski and I could pull it out of the attachment when I was ready to take control. I pulled up on the rope and went out of the wake! I was so excited I yelled “Whooohoo!” and shortly after hit the wake and drank half the lake. One of the instructors followed me on a jetski and was right there for me when I fell off. She helped me get situated in the cradle and away I went again. I would ski for a while, grab the rope, attempt some stunts and crash! I had so much fun!!

Moving right along through the event sites, I took one of the many shuttles offered by volunteers to the rock wall where I met Mark Wellman, the paraplegic park ranger who climbed El Capitan and Half Dome with the use of only his upper body. As I imagined, this guy was huge, muscle-wise. Can you imagine doing 7000 pull-ups to get up a mountain?

I watched some other people go up the wall, including a young lady who had no use of her legs. She would not give up! She kept inching up the wall, and she made it! I was so inspired watching her do that. Then came my turn. I was still sore from the water-skiing and it was very hard for me, but I could hear Mark down below, cheering me on, and I made it! Wow, first my successes windsurfing and water skiing, and now rock climbing! What else could I do?

Well it just so happens that after I finished my climb, a group of participants was getting ready to leave on a cycling trip down the beach path. I was fitted with a helmet and given a $3,000 recumbent bike to try out and off we went! This was the ultimate way to top the day off. We had about a ten-mile ride along the beach and it was so comfortable and relaxing. For a while I rode next to a guy who is a bilateral above the knee amputee, who had his own custom hand cycle. This was a great way to spend time with other participants, and I enjoyed the social aspects of the bike ride.

Later that afternoon, DS/USA had another treat lined up for us. First was an excellent presentation by Hanger Orthotics and Prosthetics where I learned about some of the important advancements being made in this field. Next was a skydiving presentation by Dana Bowman. It was encouraging and uplifting.

He was so humble and has achieved so much. Many of his most impressive achievements were goals he achieved after his accident. These were things which would be hard for anybody, and I imagine even harder for a bilateral amputee.

After the talks, I had the privilege of talking with the two presenters. This was very uplifting for me. I gathered some extremely important information regarding my prosthesis and the problems I have been experiencing. Keep in mind, I did all of this in just two days.

This event has been a life-changing experience for me. I would definitely recommend it to anyone with any disability. I actually feel sorry for the non-disabled community which doesn’t get a chance to experience something like this! This has been the one time in my life when I have felt “good” about being an amputee. I was rewarded as a result of losing my leg. So many of our day to day experiences are the opposite. This is great therapy for everyone involved.

I would like to thank Julia Ray (of DS/USA); without her hard work, I would have never made it. I thank
DS/USA for having an event like this. Thank you to the many generous companies which helped make it possible. Thank you most of all to the volunteers who gave so freely of their time, energy, equipment, and themselves. You made a difference for me. Thank you!

Greg Birkholz aka Pegleg Greg

Editor’s note:  As a result of a motorcycle accident March 31, 2001, Greg lost his leg and broke both arms and legs, hip, and nose, and suffered brain and lung contusions, plus a blood clot in his heart.  This was his first event with DS/USA. He turned 40 this July, and has been married 10 years with two kids, ages 6 and 7.