Mobility impaired individuals will enjoy a day geared toward helping them enjoy outdoor sports and recreation this June 21st, 2008. The Missouri Department of Conservation is proud to sponsor fishing, shooting, crafts, and other adventures normally restricted to individuals with full mobility.

The News-Leader reports.

On June 21, the Missouri Department of Conservation’s Andy Dalton Shooting Range site near Bois D’Arc will transform into an adventure land of outdoors experiences for people with disabilities when it becomes the stage for the annual A Day at the Range & Outdoor Adventure Fair.

At this popular yearly event - now enjoying its fifth run - people with disabilities (of all ages, from throughout the southwest Missouri region) are introduced to many outdoor activities, including fishing, shooting, crafts and more, through education, hands-on opportunities and assistive technology so they may choose to participate at their own ability level.

“It’s a wonderful event. I’ve had the chance of going three of the past five years and it’s opened a lot of outdoors freedoms to me,” says 51-year-old Michael Cook of Springfield, who was born with cerebral palsy.

Oscar Pistorius competes in the British 400m!

Special Olympics athletes in Malaysia experienced the height of success on 19 April when they scaled Mt. Kinabalu, the highest mountain in Borneo and Southeast Asia. Twenty-two athletes from Taiwan, Brunei, Sarawak, Selangor and Sabah completed the remarkable 4,095-meter ascent.

Organized by Special Olympics Sabah, a state Program in Malaysia, the triennial “Mt. Kinabalu Challenge” is held to create public awareness for people with intellectual disabilities and build self-confidence in athletes.

During the 2008 event, athletes were accompanied by more than 50 volunteers. Volunteer Coordinator, Raymong Epun said it was hard keeping up with the athletes. “Throughout the two-day climb, we were sleepless and constantly worried about the athletes, their safety, welfare and comfort. It turned out that athletes were the least of our worries because they were fit, focused and very determined,” he reported. “They pushed full steam ahead from the flag-off at Timpohon gate. If anything, it was the escorts who were unable to keep up with the athletes, and that eventually slowed them down. In my opinion, it would be best that for such future events, the escorts undergo double the training as they must be fitter than the athletes in order to look after them,” Epun added.

Iraqi veterans return to the slopes in this video of brilliant skiing. No limits, no boundaries.