Marc DePerno, National Director of Outreach for Wheelchair Curling for the U.S. Curling Association, is organising a wheelchair curling camp for disabled veterans Curling Camp at the Utica Curling Club, in Whitesboro. NY. Sunday and Monday, Dec. 13-14. Eight wounded servicemen from Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin will participate.
“We are honored to introduce America’s heroes to the sport of adaptive curling, and will provide additional training should they wish to compete on the Paralympic level,” DePerno said. [source UticaOD.com]
Showing posts with label Marc DePerno. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marc DePerno. Show all posts
Monday, December 6, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
USA Trials to be held in Green Bay WI, September 24-26
USA Curling is holding a weekend of trials for participation on Team USA, at the Green Bay CC the weekend of September 24-26.
This is an open camp. To register contact Marc Deperno by email or call 315-737-2459. The Trials will consist of individual skill events, mini games and personal interviews. Coaches will be evaluating skill, game knowledge and strategy, team dynamics, leadership and potential.
For more information visit the USA Curling Association website.
This is an open camp. To register contact Marc Deperno by email or call 315-737-2459. The Trials will consist of individual skill events, mini games and personal interviews. Coaches will be evaluating skill, game knowledge and strategy, team dynamics, leadership and potential.
For more information visit the USA Curling Association website.
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Open clinic and try-out at Green Bay CC July 30-August 1
The U.S. Curling Association is sponsoring an open weekend wheelchair curling camp at the Green Bay CC. Present Team USA members will be in attendance, and wheelchair users will be able not only to learn about the sport but also discover what it takes to try out for Team USA.
For more information contact Marc DePerno and download the event brochure from this link.
For more information contact Marc DePerno and download the event brochure from this link.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Marc DePerno, USA team leader, wins Spirit Award
Marc DePerno, team leader for the 2010 Paralympic wheelchair curling team, has received an O.C. Tanner Inspiration Award after being nominated by James Joseph.
The O.C. Tanner Inspiration Award honors those frequently left behind the scenes. Those who ignited the spark. Encouraged the dream. Awakened the quest for glory. It honors those who will never receive a medal of their own. But instead made it possible for someone else.
Here's Jimmy's nomination letter:
They say a person's true character is best demonstrated when they sacrifice their time and resources to help those in need.
On October 15, 1987, I was working for Waste Management emptying a trash bin into my dump truck when I was struck from behind. A truck pinned me in between both vehicles. The extensive trauma resulted in the amputation of both my legs, but my life was spared. I was 25 years old and suddenly had no direction in life. I spent the next 16 years working random jobs and partying with my friends. I lived a life that truly had no meaning.
In 2003, I learned of the Sitrin Success through Adaptive Recreation and Sports program in my neighborhood and contacted the program director. I spent 15 minutes talking with Marc DePerno on the phone that day, learning about the opportunity to engage in sports such as wheelchair basketball, racing and curling. I couldn't believe that this stranger wanted to help me. He encouraged me to come to his office immediately. Little did I know, my life was about to change.
Initially, Marc taught me how to play wheelchair basketball and secured a grant for me to receive my own sport wheelchair. He then assisted me with training for a local wheelchair road race and even managed to find a way to get me my own custom-fit racing wheelchair. He introduced me to kayaking and canoeing as well. But my most life changing experience came when he introduced me to wheelchair curling. From the moment I threw my first stone in December of 2004, I fell in love with the sport. Since that time, I have won six U.S. National Championships, represented the United States at four World Championships and two Paralympic Winter Games, and won a bronze medal at the 2008 World Championships. Throughout the entire process, Marc has been by my side serving as my mentor, my guide and my friend. The countless hours he has spent away from his family to develop the STARS program and assist me, and dozens of others with disabilities, speaks volumes to his character.
These past seven years have been the most productive of my life, not just based on my athletic accomplishments, but rather the things I've done off the field of play. Marc taught me that I could use my disability as a platform to educate others. He and I have traveled to numerous schools and community events promoting disability awareness. We routinely interview on our local radio and television networks. We speak with individuals who are recovering from traumatic injuries at rehabilitation centers and hospitals so they can realize the opportunities that lie before them. Additionally, I was nominated by Senator Joseph Griffo for the New York State Senate Achiever's Award as well as inducted into the central New York Optimus Hall of Fame for my commitment to serving as a role model in my community. These things were unfathomable to me earlier in my life when meaning and purpose was lost.
My life has changed 180 degrees, thanks to Marc's intervention. Based on my new found direction in life, my wife and I decided to have a child and welcomed our angel, Janaya Rose into this world three years ago. She comes to my basketball and curling games and has become our team cheerleader. I know my life would not be as fulfilling if I was not involved with Marc.
Marc's message is one of ability, not disability. Experiencing physical trauma isn't the end of being "you", rather a new chapter in your life. With his guidance and inspiration, my life story has become a best seller.
The O.C. Tanner Inspiration Award honors those frequently left behind the scenes. Those who ignited the spark. Encouraged the dream. Awakened the quest for glory. It honors those who will never receive a medal of their own. But instead made it possible for someone else.
Here's Jimmy's nomination letter:
They say a person's true character is best demonstrated when they sacrifice their time and resources to help those in need.
On October 15, 1987, I was working for Waste Management emptying a trash bin into my dump truck when I was struck from behind. A truck pinned me in between both vehicles. The extensive trauma resulted in the amputation of both my legs, but my life was spared. I was 25 years old and suddenly had no direction in life. I spent the next 16 years working random jobs and partying with my friends. I lived a life that truly had no meaning.
In 2003, I learned of the Sitrin Success through Adaptive Recreation and Sports program in my neighborhood and contacted the program director. I spent 15 minutes talking with Marc DePerno on the phone that day, learning about the opportunity to engage in sports such as wheelchair basketball, racing and curling. I couldn't believe that this stranger wanted to help me. He encouraged me to come to his office immediately. Little did I know, my life was about to change.
Initially, Marc taught me how to play wheelchair basketball and secured a grant for me to receive my own sport wheelchair. He then assisted me with training for a local wheelchair road race and even managed to find a way to get me my own custom-fit racing wheelchair. He introduced me to kayaking and canoeing as well. But my most life changing experience came when he introduced me to wheelchair curling. From the moment I threw my first stone in December of 2004, I fell in love with the sport. Since that time, I have won six U.S. National Championships, represented the United States at four World Championships and two Paralympic Winter Games, and won a bronze medal at the 2008 World Championships. Throughout the entire process, Marc has been by my side serving as my mentor, my guide and my friend. The countless hours he has spent away from his family to develop the STARS program and assist me, and dozens of others with disabilities, speaks volumes to his character.
These past seven years have been the most productive of my life, not just based on my athletic accomplishments, but rather the things I've done off the field of play. Marc taught me that I could use my disability as a platform to educate others. He and I have traveled to numerous schools and community events promoting disability awareness. We routinely interview on our local radio and television networks. We speak with individuals who are recovering from traumatic injuries at rehabilitation centers and hospitals so they can realize the opportunities that lie before them. Additionally, I was nominated by Senator Joseph Griffo for the New York State Senate Achiever's Award as well as inducted into the central New York Optimus Hall of Fame for my commitment to serving as a role model in my community. These things were unfathomable to me earlier in my life when meaning and purpose was lost.
My life has changed 180 degrees, thanks to Marc's intervention. Based on my new found direction in life, my wife and I decided to have a child and welcomed our angel, Janaya Rose into this world three years ago. She comes to my basketball and curling games and has become our team cheerleader. I know my life would not be as fulfilling if I was not involved with Marc.
Marc's message is one of ability, not disability. Experiencing physical trauma isn't the end of being "you", rather a new chapter in your life. With his guidance and inspiration, my life story has become a best seller.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Team USA works with non-profits to boost adaptive curling
Team USA is based at the Utica CC and works closely with SITRIN (Success Through Adaptive Recreation and Sports) which has joined forces with The Central Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and United Cerebral Palsey to raise funds to enable all their patients curl.
USA Team Leader Marc DePerno, a SITRIN employee, told the Utica Daily News curling has become a competitive sport for some, but it's also a fun and dynamic rehabilitation tool.
"First and foremost," DePerno said, "it's about collaboration -- friendships, getting out and about; adaptive sports provide an avenue for you to improve your quality of life and self esteem, and make friendships. It's a chance to excel in an area of life you didnt realize you could, and when a person comes to try it, they usually get hooked."
Physically, adaptive curling is excellent, too, DePerno said.
"The great thing is, it does not require as much physical mobility as other adaptive sports," DePerno pointed out. "Curling basically opens the door to a whole other area of disabilities."
Read the whole article.
USA Team Leader Marc DePerno, a SITRIN employee, told the Utica Daily News curling has become a competitive sport for some, but it's also a fun and dynamic rehabilitation tool.
"First and foremost," DePerno said, "it's about collaboration -- friendships, getting out and about; adaptive sports provide an avenue for you to improve your quality of life and self esteem, and make friendships. It's a chance to excel in an area of life you didnt realize you could, and when a person comes to try it, they usually get hooked."
Physically, adaptive curling is excellent, too, DePerno said.
"The great thing is, it does not require as much physical mobility as other adaptive sports," DePerno pointed out. "Curling basically opens the door to a whole other area of disabilities."
Read the whole article.
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