Carly Waugh: Adaptive Sports

Before her injury Carly was always active in sports and enjoyed being outdoors. In high school she excelled in basketball, soccer and track. While in college Carly played soccer at Mississippi State University and after she transferred to the University of Tennessee she played on their club team as well. Additionally, Carly loved horseback riding, hiking, fishing and backpacking.

After a catastrophic injury like the one Carly experienced, people often lose the ability to continue particpating in hobbies they most enjoy. Carly recalls, "Soon after I got hurt, I remember vividly thinking the chances of ever running, playing soccer, or hiking were very slim." This was just as devastating as not being able to walk or stand. It was difficult for Carly to fathom not having the ability to do those activites.

After coming home from the rehabilitation hospital, Carly tried to take up different arts and crafts related activities. "I bought a couple hundred dollars worth of beads to make jewelry, scrapbooking stuff, and my brother even bought me a Taylor guitar. People who know me would not be surprised that the scrapbook stuff is still in the closet hardly used, and the beads - well, they were passed on to someone who would actually use them. I still want to learn to play that guitar when Sam gets older." Carly had to find an outlet. "Being in a chair is really confining." Fortunately, she was introduced to adaptive sports. Carly recollects, "One day while at therapy, Chad, the therapist got out this funky looking handcycle and took me out on the road. It was upright and I remember thinking at least I can get outside." Come to find out there is an abundance of sports one can choose from: cycling, swimming, basketball, track, tennis, sled hockey, snow and water skiing, archery, shooting, fishing, hunting, and the list continues.

Nowadays, Carly enjoys snow skiing, water skiing, working out in the gym, swimming and handcycling. She recently raced in the United States Handcycle Federation series of races in Rome, GA. Check out this video of her racing in Rome. Unfortuanetly the equipment used for adaptive sports is not cheap. If you are interested in helping Carly get adaptive equipment or would like to sponsor her for races, please see the donations page. Check out the pictures in the photo gallery of Carly's participation in adaptive sports.