these athletes are as competitive
and determined as any. It's only
necessary to see one practice to re-
alize that.
"Once you do it for awhile, you
don't see the chairs anymore," said
Dr. Pierce. "You just see a bas-
ketball game. They just want to
be thought of and treated like ath-
letes — elite or otherwise."
One of the elite members of the
Thunderbirds is Kris Lenzo,
whose legs were cut off by a card-
board compactor in a 1979 indus-
trial accident. Lenzo, 37, had
played recreational league bas-
ketball in college.
He has been a part of two Na-
tional Wheelchair Basketball As-
sociation championship teams
(1985 and 1995) and has partici-
pated in track and field at the
Para-Olympics. He's competed in
wheelchair races at every distance
from 100 to 5,000 meters, spe-
cializing in the 100, 200 and 400.
He's also done road races from
10 kilometers to marathons.
After his accident, "I think I did
a lot of grieving early on," said
Lenzo, who lives in East Lansing.
"When I was in the hospital, rd be
upset about it all the time. But as
time went on, I met other people
with disabilities and people with
disabilities like mine. And I found
that the things I really liked to do
I could still do."
It's likely that Lenzo has the
same affect on any newly-disabled
people he encounters because of
his outlook on life.
"I think I kind of have a posi-
tive attitude and people can tell
I'm happy, for the most part," he
said. "And people realize, had
a tragedy and he lived through it.'
"It's not a one-time process. It's
an ongoing process. You're dis-
abled, you stay disabled."
Athletes Unlimited has become
the sole local chapter ofAmerican
Athletes with Disabilities. The
parent organization has commit-
ted funds to help Athletes Un-
limited with fundraising.
"My success is to promot,e more
people," said Dr. Pierce, "to let
people know that people [with dis-
abilities] are not different. It's just
an adjustment." ❑
Enjoy up to 100% of the equity you have
in your home. With our Home Equity Loan,
you can borrow cash for your family's
larger needs... such as home improvements,
loan consolidations, college tuition, a second
home, a new car or boat, or an unexpected
emergency. Choose either the flexibility of
an Equity Line or the security of a Fixed-Rate
Home Equity Loan.
Plus, because a Home Equity Loan is secured
by your home, the interest rate you pay may be
fully deductible for federal income tax purposes!
To apply, simply stop by any Standard Federal
Banking Center or call 1-800/HOME-800 today.
Standard Federal Bank
Savings/Financial Services
* Consult your tax advisor regarding the tax deductibility of interest. Tax laws are subject to change and individual tax situations vary. You must carry
insurance on the property that secures your Home Equity Loan. ©1997 Standard Federal Bank.
For information on volun-
teering time, money, services
or participating, write Athletes
Unlimited, P.O. Box 250942,
West Bloomfield, MI 48325.
rep ace
free standard
installation
barbecue on fireplace glass
doors to fit your
factory built fireplace-
Hearthcraft RAINBOW
Bifold trackless, & Design
Specialties- Bifold on track
for your Superior, Majestic,
Heatilator, & others-
Please Let Us Know
How is your favorite Jewish athlete doing
in college, high school or recreational
sports? We'd like to find out and let all the
Jewish News readers know about it.
Please send information about the ath-
lete along with the phone number of a
contact person to Alan Hitsky at The Jew-
ish News, 27676 Franklin, Southfield, MI
48034, or call 354-6060 during business
hours.
I
Ray Michelle Kari Geraldine
Nick & Jason
Take an additional .$50 off any Peterson gas
log in stock-( prior sales excluded) expires 3-13-97
4 Seasons Fireplace & Barbecue
(8 1 0)855-0303 SALE ENDS 3-13-97
30903 ORCHARD LAKE ROAD (In THE PLAZA between 13
& 14 Mile by TJ Maxx &THE GAP) HOURS: SUNDAY 10AM - 5PM
Monday-Thursday 10 am-9 pm Friday 10 am-5:00 pm CLOSED SATURDAYS
113