Steve Hornsey
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I recently experienced
the 28th anniversary of the motorcycle accident that I
survived as a T-12 paraplegic. Yes, this was a milestone
that I celebrated. Many people would think you would
want to forget something as tragic as loosing the use of
your legs. I celebrate that it taught me to get the most
out of life, as you never know what cards are coming you
way.
Being a teenager when faced with a new life, I attribute
my positive outlook to my family and friends who
encouraged me to find my motivation in an active
lifestyle that includes over 20 years of wheelchair
basketball. Some of my “wheel head” friends, who I met
on the Chico Renegades Wheelchair Basketball team, have
become life long friends and a mutual support group when
I needed it. They showed me how I was a person first and
the only limitations I had are the ones I placed on
myself.
I will be the first to tell you that life has not been
easy, but I have overcome obstacles and have achieved
many accomplishments that I am proud of. First of which,
I am a proud graduate of California State University
Chico, receiving a BA in Physical Education and an
emphasis in Adaptive P.E. I took up water skiing thanks
to Royce Andes of Biggs, CA who created the Kanski, an
adaptive water ski. I took to this sport and have since
competed on eight US Disabled Water Ski Teams and
Coached one U.S. Disabled Water Ski Team. I have won
numerous national and international events with my most
proud moment coming in 1993 when I was overall gold
medalist, taking a gold in slalom, gold in jump, and
bronze in tricks events.
I met Dave Conklin at a sled hockey clinic in South Lake
Tahoe about six years ago. Six months later I had
organized a Sled Hockey clinic at Skatetown in
Roseville. Since then I have enjoyed both supporting the
growth of Sled Hockey through my position at Access
Leisure and a one of the Sacramento Lightning players.
I currently have a job I love, working with Access
Leisure as a Program Coordinator sharing the joy of
sport, recreation and other challenging activities. I
volunteer my time for Disabled Sports USA Far West as a
Water Ski Instructor in the summer, and a part time Snow
Ski Instructor at Alpine Meadows Tahoe Adaptive Ski
School in the winter.