Many people will remember Nick Springer – who around 1999 at the age of about 14 developed a rare form of meningitis.
The result was horrific. Nick developed gangrene in all four of his limbs and had to have amputations of his legs below the knee, and his arms below the elbow.
However he has dealt wonderfully well with his disability, and here is a video that shows Nick as a member of the USA Wheelchair rugby team competing in the World Championships in New Zealand. I don’t know why they call it rugby, because it’s more like a combination of team handball, basketball, bumper cars, and rollerball, but they do.
The video does stop and start, but if you know or remember Nick (and even if you don’t) it’s worth having the patience to watch the whole thing. Remember he’s representing the United States!
Here’s a good article about Nick – YouthBeat 2004 :: Youth Matters
Nick Springer put his hockey arms on with the help of his father, who taped them securely to his stumps. Rather than get back in his wheelchair to run down to the ice at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Nick walked himself down on his arms, pulling his body along.
and here’s another piece mentioning Nick and the growth of the sport of Wheelchair rugby:
The Official Site of the U.S. Paralympic Team
Lastly, the USA team won the World Championship beating New Zealand in the final on September 16th.Quad Rugby/Story – – /2006
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