East Texas

By LAUREN GROVER
Staff Writer

Eleven paraplegics tested their wheels Saturday in seven track and field events at the East Texas Wheelchair Games at Rose Stadium, an annual competition that promotes full living and fellowship for disabled area residents.

“There might have been some pushing (in the races) if they had caught up to me,” joked Michael Carpenter, of Gilmer, the winner of four events and a paraplegic of 28 years.

Among others, Carpenter raced against Mic Kal, of Longview, a young man he had tried to get a hold of soon after Kal’s accident in 2006.

Once they met, Carpenter gave Kal his old 16-pound wheelchair to replace the bulky 35-pound one he’d been using. On Saturday, Kal raced in his new ride.

“I’m like Velcro now,” Kal said about his friendship with Carpenter, who tries to mentor and encourage wheelchair-bound residents when he can find them.

In its 10th year, the Wheelchair Games featured a 50-meter, 100-meter, 200-meter and 400-meter dash, shot put, discus and archery.

Linda Arnold, of Gladewater, a member of the People On Wheels Encouraging Responsibility organization, kept pace with many of the men.

“I don’t think about being in a chair anymore,” said Ms. Arnold, a paraplegic of 12 years. “Every great now and then — but life is too short, you just have to live.”

Paraplegic Tim Gireau coordinated the event after its original coordinator fell ill and said the turnout was a bit low, but it has ebbed and flowed over the years.

“Everyone needs to drink some water,” he told competitors as they wheeled into the Rose Garden Center for snacks and awards.

Carpenter’s son, 15-year-old Michael Carpenter II, said his dad does everything. Not long ago, he spent a day in a wheelchair to better understand his father’s disability.

“It was hard,” he said. “It’s the simple things, things you don’t notice. I was so tired at the end of it.”

Carpenter suffered a hemorrhage in his spinal chord at 18, leaving him paralyzed from the middle of his chest down. His injury should have caused quadriplegia, but “the good Lord thought otherwise,” he said.

“You have to know life’s not over, it’s just a new beginning for you,” he said. “Kids, they keep you going. When my son was a baby he would crawl to the side of my wheelchair so I could pick him up — he knew, even at that age.”

Carpenter and POWER coordinate events for para- and quadriplegics that include water skiing, horseback riding and pool tournaments.

The encouragement of seasoned wheelers helps Kal, he said, as he is having trouble getting used to being wheelchair-bound.

“I spent two years in the house,” he said. “I’m still probably going to go home and cry a bit tonight, that’s just how I feel.”

Ms. Arnold said the first two years are the worst, and then life starts looking up. It’s a test of mental strength, Carpenter said.

“You gotta get your mind set that I’m gonna live life,” he said. Carpenter rolls one mile a day, at least, he said, uphill and downhill, to keep his circulation strong.
Carpenter II said his father’s life is a full one — he’s heard stories about his dad having some rambunctious fun, wheelchair or not.

“I like the one about your friends carrying you up to a party and then carrying you back down when it was over,” he said with a laugh. “That’s my favorite.”

Kal said before meeting Carpenter and some others he didn’t realize how many paraplegics were out there.

“I was sitting at home, and I need to get out,” he said.

STRAIGHT SHOOTER: Judie Moffett, of Longview, gets a little help in bracing for archery from Brian Shelton of Bucks and Ducks in the archery competion of the Wheelchair Games at Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium on Saturday.
(— Staff Photo By Herb Nygren Jr.)