NEW CASTLE, PA. Wheelchair race goal is to teach about disabilities and equality

At least 15 international wheelchair racers are coming to the event.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Manuel Cardenas is hoping to make western Pennsylvania a center for paralympic sports, but he's also got a second goal in mind.
"It's most important to educate people about disabilities. It's important to give equal opportunities to all," said Cardenas, founder and organizer of the Momentum International 5K Race and Walk and 10K Wheelchair Race set for Saturday in New Castle.
Cardenas, of Neshannock Township, founded the annual event in an effort to promote more sports for those with disabilities, particularly those in wheelchairs.
A native of Ecuador, Cardenas moved to Lawrence County a few years ago when his wife, New Castle native Dr. Sheila Burick, a pediatrician and internist, took a position with a local health system.
Since then he has worked to make others aware of the challenges facing the disabled.
His mission started nearly 20 years ago when a close friend was paralyzed in a parachute accident. There was little help, and it took six months to find a wheelchair for his friend to use.
Though those problems don't exist in this country, people with physical disabilities face other challenges, said Sue Cox, program supervisor for Tripil Services, a nonprofit agency that serves the disabled.
"The largest barrier for people with disabilities in this community is employment. It is very difficult to get an employer to look at a person's ability and what they can offer an organization as opposed to looking at them being in a wheelchair," she said.
Cox spent much of seven years in a wheelchair or on crutches after being injured in a car crash. Today she is able to walk but still advocates for those who don't have mobility.
Opening her home
She will be host to all of the international wheelchair racers at her six-bedroom, one-floor home in Mahoning Township, which was built when she had to use a wheelchair.
At least 15 racers are expected from Panama, Brazil, Ecuador, Columbia, Costa Rica and Africa, Cardenas said.
Cox said the local residents who use wheelchairs are showing a great deal of interest in the Momentum race.
"Many are going to watch what other [wheelchair users] are doing. To see them show off their ability and cheer them on. It's great to celebrate other people's abilities," she said.
Cox noted that the 2000 U.S. Census showed that 1,800 people in Lawrence County reported having some type of physical disability.
Cardenas said he hopes bringing the international wheelchair racers to Lawrence County will encourage area residents using wheelchairs to get involved in paralympic sports.
"In the future we hope to have world-class paralympic athletes from Pennsylvania," he said.