Paralympic Retrospective: Never Say “Can’t” Until You’ve Tried, O&P Edge, April 2014
Great article about POA’s “Z” Oates in April issue of O&P Edge! Click Here to view Article #NoBoundaries #Neversaycantuntilyouvetried
Paralympic Alpine Skiing Trail Blazer: POA Orlando’s “Z,” Bilateral Above Knee Amputee
Throwback Thursday! With the start of the 2014 Sochi Paralympics upon us, it seems fitting to showcase one of the trail blazing adaptive athletes in alpine skiing — our own “Z!” She skied on BILATERAL ABOVE KNEE PROSTHETIC LEGS in the 70’s and 80’s, way before computerized knees and specialized sports equipment, and helped pave the way for approval of Standing Class in Para-Alpine Downhill Skiing. “I attended a Ski
“Ski Pioneer,” a film inspired by life story of the first U.S. Amputee Skier
Paul “Bud” Leimkuehler, a speed skater, lost his leg while serving our country during World War II. Determined not to allow his disability to keep him from living an active life, he crafted his own prosthetic leg. Later, Bud’s desire to ski led him to create ski outriggers, and he became the first amputee skier in the U.S.! His granddaughter wrote a screenplay inspired by his life, entitled “Ski Pioneer.”