Student athletes with disabilities can earn trips to Winter Paralympics

From First Tracks! Online Ski Magazine:

Colorado Springs, Colo. - U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, is encouraging students with physical disabilities who promote physical fitness in their daily lives to apply for the 2010 Paralympic Experience in Vancouver.

Twelve student athletes with physical disabilities and six adults, made up of coaches, teachers and program leaders, will earn a trip to the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games, Vancouver, Canada, March 12-21, 2010.

Coordinated by U.S. Paralympics, participants in the Paralympic Experience Vancouver will have the opportunity to meet U.S. Paralympic team members, attend Opening Ceremonies and athletic competitions and build camaraderie with other student athletes.

To enter, student athletes, ages 14-19, must either submit a video or write an essay answering the question, "How has sport positively impacted your life as a person with a physical disability?"

The group of six coaches, program leaders and teachers will be chosen from applications submitted, where applicants must include a one-page essay describing their work with students with physical disabilities.

Applications are available online at www.usparalympics.org/content/index/5124. The deadline to enter is Dec. 1, 2009.

Vancouver marks the fourth Paralympic Experience, with the first event having taken place in 2004 in Athens, Greece.