Non-profit surprises athlete with adaptive sports equipment

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) -A disabled athlete is feeling like himself again after being surprised with custom sports equipment.

In October of 2020, Bassem Mansour was out riding his bike when he was hit by a truck, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.

“I didn’t know what I’d be able to do, or if I’d be able to do anything from before I got hurt. I can’t walk and now I use a wheelchair,” explained Mansour.

Before the accident Mansour and his family lived an active lifestyle, something Mansour wasn’t sure he’d be able to continue. But Achieve Tahoe had other plans.

“It means everything to me to get back on the water after my injury,” Mansour said.

Achieve Tahoe, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization that provides sports and recreational programs in Northern California to people with disabilities, was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from The Hartford’s Adaptive Sports program for new adaptive sports equipment. The grant enabled Achieve Tahoe, a member of the Move United Network, to enhance its adaptive sports programming through the purchase of additional equipment for kayaking, archery, hiking, and climbing programs to better serve individuals with physical disabilities. Marina Gardiner, the Guest Services Director with Achieve Tahoe, was part of the team that chose Mansour to be the recipient of his very own adaptive waterski.

“He’s excited to learn the sport, he wants to achieve independence as much as possible, and he’s willing to put the time in,” said Gardiner.

Instead of two skis you stand on, Mansour’s new adaptive waterski is one long slab with a seat and restraints that only go on his feet. He says, the new equipment had to take some getting used to.

“You start off on a ski that’s really thick and has these little outriggers that balance it and keep you upright. You keep that ski but take off the outriggers, and slowly as you get better you get slimer and slimer and slimer,” Mansour said.

Getting back into the sports he loves, Mansour says its made all the difference in his recovery.

“I think getting into adaptive sports and getting into something that keeps you active and around people is crucial,” said Mansour.

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