Jackson Free Press

Sonia Fogal, a self-professed adrenaline junkie and accomplished wheelchair fencer, is working hard to encourage health and physical fitness in the disability community.

"Anything able-bodied people can do, we pretty much have covered in the state of Mississippi," Fogal said.

In 1996, the native New Yorker and Army veteran started working as an Americorps member at LIFE: Living Independence for Everyone of Mississippi. Fogal is now the program coordinator for PRO-HEAL, a fitness and exercise program for people with spinal-cord injuries. The program provides information on healthy eating, weight management and recreation opportunities around the state. In 1998, she became a staff member.

Fogal, 44, is a member of the national fencing team and competes in wheelchair fencing tournaments around the United States and internationally. She recently competed in the Wheelchair Pan American Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

"Wheelchair fencing is really my passion--it's all about speed," she said. "... Fencing is so intense, because you've got nowhere to go. It's got speed, and you've got to think about it constantly."

Fogal was at the 2011 Disability Awareness Day yesterday at the Jackson Medical Mall to get the word out about LIFE. About 40 other vendors were at the event to provide information and raise awareness about Jackson's disability community in Jackson.

"It's to let people know we are out here ... and to support the disability community," Fogal said. "And, with that, letting them know, hello, we are here, and these are the services that are available to you, not just as a person with a disability; but we want to be included in everything."

Sam Gleese, Americans with Disabilities Act compliance officer for the city, said the Disability Awareness Day attracted a good turnout, and he hopes to make the day an annual event.

Within the past few years, the city has become more accessible for people with disabilities, Gleese said, but making programs and services accessible to everyone is something Jackson and the nation in general still struggles with.

"Hopefully, the city will become more conscious about the need for accessibility and, within the city, the need for programs and services as well as facilities," Gleese said. "We have to work harder to make this community more accessible for disabled people to travel throughout the city of Jackson."