Waterskiing gives freedom to campers with disabilities
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LAKE NORMAN- A woman confined to a wheelchair her entire life is sharing her love of waterskiing with children from Victory Junction. A waterskiing camp on Lake Norman Friday kicked off a weekend of water sports fundraising for the camp, which serves children with chronic medical conditions.
Hank Satterfield has done a lot of interesting things during his summer camps at Victory Junction but said Friday's event was one of the most fun.
"I've met President Bush, I've met President Obama and just so many things and this is so unique," he said. "I haven't really had a chance to do anything like this without Victory Junction before and now with this it's awesome."
Satterfield is living with spina bifida and he can't waterski the traditional way. But he does fit into a seated waterskiing board and feels the same rush as anyone else.
"I thought it was a great experience. I thought it was a fun time," he said soaking wet and smiling.
This is the first time Victory Junction has offered waterskiing to their campers. The non-profit worked with a Florida-based charity called UCanSki2 created by Ann Satterfield 20 years ago.
"I did win six nationals and two world titles. And then after retiring, I just wanted to spread the knowledge that people with disabilities, all types of disabilities can waterski," said Satterfield from her wheelchair on the dock as she oversaw the day's events with her walkie talkie in hand.
Satterfield said the mission of waterskiing regardless of ability is one she wanted to share with others because it brought her life so much joy.
"It was freedom," she said. "It was absolutely something I could do out of my chair and I was very good at it. And it was just something that, it's undescribable, what it can do for somebody that cannot walk."
Saturday and Sunday the water events will continue on Lake Norman with professional and amateur wakeboarders hitting the waves. All the proceeds from the two-day event will help campers continue to find freedom on the water.