Disabilities Are No Barrier to Fishing Fun -- Event Opens Popular Outdoor Sport to Children and Adults with Physical and Mental Challenges

People of all ages and abilities experienced the excitement of fishing in a safe and accessible setting. With special equipment, anyone can enjoy America's second-most-popular water sport (after swimming). One participant, who lost the use of his limbs in an automobile accident, thought he would never be to able fish with his four-year-old son until his mother signed him up for the event.

Columbus, Ohio (PRWEB) September 5, 2003 -- Thanks to a local foundation, more than three dozen disabled children and adults got hooked on fishing on Saturday, September 6, in central Ohios first annual Fishing Has No Boundaries event.

Participants -including many first-time anglers - cast into Shrock Lake at Sharon Woods Metro Park, 6911 Cleveland Avenue, Westerville, between 9:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

People from as far away as Toledo and Dayton took part in a day dedicated to fishing, fun, and the celebration of people of different abilities. Special adaptive equipment and an accessible site ensured that everyone had an opportunity to fish.

Teens from Troop 007 of the Boy Scouts of America baited hooks and offered tips to the anglers, who were joined by family members, friends and volunteers in the catch-and-release program. All registrants took home a t-shirt, hat and commemorative medallion. Skill trophies were presented at an awards ceremony.

The first event of its kind in central Ohio, the program was organized by Advocates for the Challenged, Inc. in cooperation with Fishing Has No Boundaries, Inc., a Wisconsin-based group with a goal of opening up the great outdoors for all people with disabilities through the world of fishing. The organization has sponsored accessible fishing since 1988.

The program was brought to central Ohio through a grant from The Foundation For the Challenged, an Ohio foundation dedicated to further validating a role in society for people of challenge.

We are excited to introduce a program that fosters positive self-esteem and full inclusion in mainstream activities for people of challenge," said Fran Wessling, executive director. This aligns with our mission of facilitating partnerships that advocate new energy and readiness to view people of challenge in a positive manner and enhance their quality of life."

Representatives from the Fishing Has No Boundaries, Inc. central office and Cincinnati chapter attended the Columbus event. We are grateful for the guidance of the Fishing Has No Boundaries staff and the outpouring of support from the local community in helping us organize a successful first-time event," Wessling said.

Tim Hortons, Inc. and White Castle Systems sponsored breakfast and lunch for all participants and volunteers. Event sponsors included:

Columbus Cello-Poly Corporation

Quantum Health LLC

Calfee, Halter & Griswold LLP

Scioto Properties LLC

Berwanger, Overmyer Associates

Ahlum & Arbor Tree Preservation

Lithokraft II

Plante & Moran LLP

Elsea Collins & Company

Individuals with the desire to lend prudent financial stewardship and volunteer spirit to those advocating for people of challenge established The Foundation for the Challenged in December 2001. Headquartered in Worthington, Ohio, the foundation's mission is to mobilize partnerships that expand and strengthen the circle of advocacy. For more information, visit www.ffcohio.org.

Headquartered in Hayward, WI, Fishing Has No Boundaries Inc. is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide information and education about the recreational value of fishing and development of accessible outdoor facilities, equipment, and advocacy for inclusion of people with disabilities in all outdoor recreation and leisure opportunities. It introduces educational devices to aid the disabled angler and affords a fishing experience for individuals who otherwise may not have such an opportunity. Communities of volunteers throughout the country have sponsored 14 events in eight states. Local chapters have been set up in Cincinnati and Sandusky. For more information, visit www.fhnbinc.org.