Paraplegic on Ga. River - Banjo paddle to Deliverance

At the time I took this video - I had no idea Alan was a paraplegic. He was just another cool paddler on th e "Paddle Georgia" trip 2009. Here' s the article from the Rome News:

For some it was a vacation, but for local participant Alan Crawford the trip meant overcoming challenges and reaching goals.

Crawford was the first para-kayaker to complete Paddle Georgia and hopes to inspire others with disabilities.

I did it, said Crawford emphatically.

It was the first thing he said to his mom, Miriam Cush­ard, who greeted him at Heritage Park on Friday afternoon.

It seems like the river turns adults into kids, and kids become more kids, he said.

Georgia River Network Executive Director April Ingle said Crawfords presence had a positive impact.

He inspired others and so many people have loved being around him during the trip, he said. Hes been an incredible inspiration and has done great on the trip.

Crawford, of Silver Creek, has been a paraplegic since 2005 when a disease called sarcoidosis in his lungs worsened and attacked his nervous system.

Crawfords desire to get on the water led him to design a special kayak trailer that allows wheelchair users to easily transfer from chair to kayak and launch into rivers. The apparatus can also be used to pull paddlers from the water.

Dubbed the Crawford Crawler by friends, the trailer is a four-wheeled platform that holds a kayak and works like trailers used to launch powerboats.

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• Fat Boy Al
• Paddle Georgia 2009
• Alan Crawford
• paraplegic kayak
• deliverance

[terrapin8654]

paddle faster, i hear banjo's.