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Camp Vision 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Teachers
Each day Camp Vision participants will learn about a disability, a country, and a sport from the following Olympic and Paralympic athletes: Jennifer Armrbuster, Five time Paralympian and eight time national champion, studied for her undergraduate degree at the University of Northern Colorado in sociology with Criminal Justince and a minor in psyhchology, she received her masters degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Sam Houstin State University in Texas.
Trish Downing, High School counselor and teacher, is presently training to become first woman wheelchair athlete in history to compete and finish Iron Man. She will compete at the 2007 Iron Man in Hawaii this October. www.trishdowning.com. Now a paraplegic, she has fought her way back to national prominence. Read the stirring account of her attempt to qualify for the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii: Paraplegic Rides to Ironman: http://http://www.denverpost.com/mobile/ci_6189906. Rudy and his teammate Jarrett Perry will give kids a tour of the Olympic Training Center and talk to kids about being an elite athlete and what life is like living at the Olympic Training Center. Matt King, three time Paralympian (former world record holder), University of Notre Dame graduate (Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering & Pipe Organ Performance) and IBM Engineer, who happens to be blind will teach kids blindness disables eyes not life by playing fun and exciting games and activities! www.thekinglink.com Erin Mirabella, two-time Olympian, prestigious Jack Kelly Fair Play Award winner and children's book author, will be teaching children about sportsmanship and sharing some of her athletic experiences as well as introducing her new series of children's books, The Barnsville Sports Squard series. Her first book, Gracie Goat's Big Bike Race, which she will share with children at Camp Vision, was released on May 28. www.erinmirabella.com Jennifer Pejo is a certified athletic trainer and massage therapist. Jennifer grew up with various sports starting at age 4 with acrobatics, tap and ballet. Then at age 6 gymnastics at age 10 she did martial arts. In high school, she played basketball, was on the swim team and cheerleading squad. She received a San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame Award for athletics and academic excellence. In college, she was on the competition cheer squad and the men's crew team as their coxsain. Presently, training for the 2008 Bejing Olympics in weightlifting at the US Olympic Training Center. Jason Regier I suffered a spinal cord injury on September 22, 1996 while driving back for my final semester of college and spent 3 ½ months at Craig Rehabilitation Hospital. Six months later, I finished my degree and graduated in the spring of 1997. I have spent 3 ½ years in corporate America in HR and corporate training, and recently finished my MBA and MS in Marketing. I've played quad rugby for 10 years and I've been the president of the Denver Harlequin Wheelchair Rugby Team. Robin Theryoung, two time Paralympian. After learning about goalball through friends, Theryoung was introduced to the technicalities of the sport at the Sports Education Camp sponsored by the Michigan Blind Athletic Association in 1994. Prior to that time, she had been interested in participating in sports but because most sports require hand-eye coordination, Theryoung believed she could never play competitive sports. She fell in love with goalball because it enabled her to compete at a high level despite her disability. Theryoung was a member of the first Paralympic team to obtain residency at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Tim Willis, When Tim lost his sight, he was determined that was all he would lose. During Tim’s competitive career he was ranked as one of the top track athletes in the world with two world records, 12 national records and won a total of five Paralympic Medals. He competed on his cross-country teams in high school and college. Tim’s athletic recognitions include: being inducted into the Georgia Southern University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2006; having his 1996 Paralympic Medals and Brooks Racing Spikes placed in the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame; having one of his guide tethers put on display at Planet Hollywood; and he was the first male athlete with a disability to receive the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Athlete of the Month in 1995. In 1994, he was selected to accompany President Clinton on his morning jog before departing for Lillehammer for the torch relay to open the Olympic Winter Games. In his years at Georgia Southern University, Tim was the first totally blind athlete to compete in NCAA Division I cross-country. Following the 1996 Paralympic Games Tim enrolled in Law School at Mercer University where he continued to train for the 2000 Paralympics. While in law school he continued to be ranked as one of the best blind runners in the world and won two Silver Medals at the 1998 World Championships in Madrid Spain. After graduating from Law School Tim qualified for the 2000 Paralympic Team and won a bronze Medal in the 10,000 meters. Just following his competitions while in Sydney Tim received word that he had passed the Georgia Bar Exam on his first attempt. Now that Tim is retired from competitive running, he spends his time with his law career and giving time to organizations with a focus on athletes and individuals with disabilities. He also serves as a guest speaker for a variety of civic clubs, corporations, and schools and presently works for the United States Olympic Committee's law department.
Kathy Urschel, two time Paralympian (1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games silver medalist), Syracuse University graduate (Bachelor's degree in Education and Master's Degree in Counseling), and licensed massage therapist. Kathy who is both deaf and blind will teach children about overcoming obstacles, how she hears with a cochlear implant and sign language.
Hundreds of blind and visually impaired youth from all over the world will be stopping by Camp Vision to talk to kids about what sports they will be competing in during the Colorado State Games of the West.
In addition, to Olympic and Paralympic teachers Camp Vision youth will be lead by qualified volunteers and staff who have years of experience in youth development as well as specific camp activities. The enthusiasm and the energy of our staff will provide a wonderful experience for camp participants and an excellent opportunity for personal growth. Please read more about Camp Vision staff and volunteers: Eric J. Sova has touched the lives of thousands of young people across the United States in his 16 years of experience within Youth Ministry. In his 9 years on the national speaking circuit, he has visited over 24 (Arch) Dioceses and performed at several national and international events including the National Catholic Youth Conference, the National Conference for Catholic Youth Ministry and World Youth Day - Paris and Toronto. As a musician, Eric leads students to worship and praise through song and prayer. www.ericjsova.com Kim King, United States Association of Blind Athletes Event Coordinator and Divine Redeemer Parishioner, has coordinated special events for over 15 years. Kim has proudly worked and volunteered for many non-profits in Colorado Springs - The U.S. Olympic Committee, Association of Blind Athletes of Colorado, Pikes Peak Hospice Foundation, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Junior Achievement, US Paralympics, and Colorado Springs Sports Corporation. She is married to Matt King and has two children. www.thekinglink.com
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