Being a paraplegic hasn't stopped Chris Waddell from competing. In 1988, Waddell was a rising star on the ski slopes. Then, a skiing accident changed his life, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. Determined to get back to skiing, a year after his accident he was on a monoski doing what he loved once again.
Waddell became one of the most successful male skiers in Paralympic history. Paralympics are Olympic events designed for disabled people. He won 12 medals over four games from 1992-2002 and is one of the few athletes to medal in both the winter and summer games. Waddell medaled in the 200-meter wheelchair race in Sydney, Australia in 2000 and in numerous events over the years.
After spending 11 years on the U.S. Disabled Ski Team, in 2010, Waddell was inducted into the Paralympic Hall of Fame and the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame. He retired from the team in 2004.
In fall 2009, Waddell became the first paraplegic to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, virtually unassisted. A documentary of his feat, "One Revolution," details Waddell's ascent to the top of the mountain.
Waddell came to Mississippi in October 2011 on his Nametags tour that Blue Cross and Blue Shield sponsored. Waddell says the program teaches kids that although people may label them, the labels do not have to define them.
"Kids are challenged to find what is great in them," he says about the program.
Waddell says that Jackson-area school kids took his message to heart. Waddell's One Revolution foundation, which wants to change the way the world sees people with disabilities, offers the program.
"It is not what happens but how you deal with what happens," he says.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield asked Waddell to return to Mississippi for the 2012 Mississippi Blues Marathon, and he will compete in the full race. He will also speak about his Kilimanjaro climb and have a booth at the Blues Expo Jan. 5 and 6 at the Jackson Convention Complex.
Waddell says the cold weather should not affect him too much; warmer temperatures could affect him more. He says he is not in perfect shape, but he has completed 15 or 20 marathons previously. Regardless, he enjoys Mississippi and is happy to be back in the Magnolia State.
For more information on Waddell and One Revolution, visit http://www.one-revolution.com.
Follow Bryan Flynn at http://www.jfpsports.com, Facebook and @jfpsports.
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