PROGRAM NEWS
Rowing
PAR crushes adversity
Overcoming adversity is nothing new to PAR. When the PAR boathouse closed in 2020 due to COVID, PAR became a virtual program over Zoom.
Since then, the boathouse has weathered several severe storms, including floods from tropical storm Isaias and Hurricane Ida. The flooding to our boathouse and to our bike storage container required a massive cleanup. Also, our ramp onto the dock had been ripped away and flipped over. The channel itself was a mess of mud and debris. It was unclear whether we would ever be rowing again.
But we are back. With help from the work of many of our PAR volunteers, and the generosity of many athletes and friends from Boathouse Row, our dock’s lumber has been restored the boathouse ramp has been repaired, and our new dock ramp is under construction.
But while our dock and boathouse are ready to send rowers onto the water, our channel where it connects to the Schuylkill River is still blocked by debris, mud and logs from fallen trees. And the dredging of our channel isn’t scheduled until 2023.
But this has not stopped us from moving forward. We are PAR, so we know how to adapt. If we can’t row on the river, we will do the next best thing — we have opened the boathouse and are now driving ergometers instead of boats. An armada of nine ergs are wheeled out side-by-side in front of the boathouse for each session.
Tuesday Night PAR with Jeff McGinnis, PCAS Executive Director, leading the practice
Coached by Liz Euler and Jeff McGinnis, and spurred on by Andrea Pamplona, Richard Park and their fellow volunteers and rowers, PAR Erging has taken on a life of its own. Rowers work incredibly hard pieces, and receive individual coaching on improving their rowing technique.
Surprisingly, we have been witnessing a remarkable transformation, totally unexpected, but classically PAR in every way.
Despite the hard work, there is more interaction among the rowers than ever before. Our rowers, staff, and volunteers are working together and getting to know each other in a new way, and they are having fun. It’s a beautiful thing.
So despite the adversity that PAR has seen, our rowers, volunteers, and staff have shown how adaptive sports programs overcome adversity.
(Contributors: Macy Oteri and Jack Campbell)
PCAS PEOPLE - ATHLETE SPOTLIGHT
Jessica Keogh
If you are a member of the PCAS Chester County Cycling Group, you probably know Jessica Keogh. What you may not know is that, in addition to being a teacher, Jessica has been instrumental in changing an important law in our state of Pennsylvania.
Jessica in her new bike from the IM Able Foundation
Ten years ago, Jessica landed her first post-college job as a Special Education teacher in Reading, PA. Today, she teaches 6th through 8th graders in West Chester. Here, she provides emotional support for students and instructs them coping and social skills. But what Jessica didn’t know was that by receiving her new paycheck, she was no longer eligible for care services that she needed to get to work each morning.
Faced with this Catch-22 situation, Jessica decided to take action. “That’s when my advocacy journey began,” she said.
“I started attending committee meetings, posting on social media, meeting with legislators, and doing anything I could to change this law that, in effect, restricted the rights of people with disabilities to work.”
Because of her efforts and those of others, the new law passed unanimously in the House on June 25th, 2021. It was signed by the governor on July 1st, and went into effect December 28th. The law offers medical assistance for people with disabilities who are working, and raises limits on their income, so people can get married without losing this benefit.
Jessica (in cycle) at the Move United event in March where she received her new adapted bike.
Jessica joined PCAS adaptive cycling group in 2018 when her occupational therapist mentioned it to her. She pointed out that she has met so many people through the cycling group that she “can relate to,” she said. “We are able to share stories and life hacks. And it’s a lot of fun,” she added. In March, Jessica received her own adapted bike through the IM Able Foundation. “I am so happy with my bike—cycling is a great outlet and it allows me to exercise independently,” she said.
What does the future look like for Jessica? She is currently pursuing her doctorate degree and hopes someday to work in Harrisburg or Washington, writing policy for people with disabilities. “I want my students with disabilities to be able to work in the future, and I want to have a part in creating policies that will help them to lead fulfilling lives.”
(Contributor: Irene McKnight)
