Ogren conquers old record, claims trophy
by Donna BaileyPublic Relations
Camie
Ogren, representing the USA in the World Disabled Water Ski Championship
competition, took home three gold medals. The competition was held in London,
England.
Last month Camie Ogren was working hard to raise the money needed to get to England to represent the USA in the World Disabled Water Ski Championship.
She’s back now with three gold medals. One she received for surface turns and weight tricks, another in jumps, and one for team overall. Most importantly, she beat reigning British champions in their own country.
“That had to be my fondest memory,” Ogren said. “As soon as the last jumper jumped, we knew we had it. All the Brits could say was that ‘we were just borrowing it,’ but we’ll see about that in 2002 when ownership of the championship trophy will again be the object of competition.”
Surrounded by her parents and friends, Ogren surprised herself by beating her old record of 33 feet in jumping an additional three feet.
“I just knew I was going to eat that ramp,” Ogren said. Everything was telling me to abort the jump. When I hit the ramp I felt like a missile.”
That is how Ogren has always been. She seems to face everything head on, from her teenage fight with cancer, that amputated her leg, to her struggles to get the funding needed to keep her passion, “Anchors Away,” afloat.
Through Anchors Away, disabled people have a chance to get involved with recreational activities.
“In order for us to survive, we need grants,” Ogren said. “Right now, we are running on generous contributions that were given to us, but that is not enough to keep us going for long.”
She remains optimistic, because she knows she has a lot to do. In the meantime, Ogren continues to train in preparation for the next world competition that takes place in Melbourne, Australia, in 18 months.
Editor's note: The following letter was written to Nancy Davidson, nurse manager, Clinical Services, Department of Rehab, from Gary Graham in support of Anchors Away.
Dear Nancy,
It was so good to be able to WALK into the rehab unit yesterday, and see you and all the people who worked so hard to get me through my nightmare of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). As you no doubt remember, besides being physically crippled by GBS, I was emotionally and spiritually crippled too. After about four weeks of total paralysis, I just wanted to die. In just hours I had gone from being a free spirit living on a boat, to totally paralyzed, and I just could no longer deal with it. Death seemed like a very good option, the only problem being, how does a quadriplegic go about killing himself? Think about it.
One of the elements of the rehab program which made a huge difference to this depression was Anchors Away. I could not believe it when this beautiful young girl on a metal leg came into my room and asked if I’d like to go out on a boat for a day. I thought it was a cruel joke, but they did it. You can’t imagine what it meant for me to go down to the marina, see all the boats, hear the wind in the rigging, smell the water, and then feel the boat rock as they lifted me into it and we got underway. The whole experience for just a couple of hours was a gift from God. It made the difference. I realized that even if I never walked again, at least I could spend an hour or two on the water once in a while.
Also on that trip was Bev, who'd broken her back while skydiving, and Bill, an ardent fisherman, but who'd had a stroke. Bev got to drive the boat, Bill got to do some fishing, and I got to feel the wind and spray in my face. We all talked about what that little trip for days after we got back, waiting for the next trip. I got to go on two more trips.
The well meaning psychiatrist tried to put me on Zoloft. Kelly, the well-meaning occupational therapist said I had a bad attitude. And I admit, I was miserable, I hurt all over, I was paralyzed and I just wanted out. No more pain, No more bed pans. No more sleepless nights. I just wanted it over with.
Those boat trips gave me what I desperately wanted and needed—a couple of hours out of the hospital. A couple of hours back in my world of birds, and water, spray, and fresh air, and sunshine. Those boat trips had the same effect of Bev and Bill. I know its hard to evaluate programs like Anchors Away, and I know how you medical folks like to measure everything. But believe me, those boat trips made a huge difference to us.
Thank you again for helping me back on deck.
Gary Graham