Local Athlete World Dreams

[NEPACIL]

There's a big fundraiser this weekend for Stephanie Jallen. She wants
to go to Russia to compete as a Paralympic skiier. She's 14-years-old.
Talk about talented. Hopefully, it her abilities get her there and
it's not for lack of funding.

"Stephanie, 14, of Harding, was born with CHILD syndrome, a rare birth
defect for which the formal name is congenital hemidysplasia with
ichthyosiform erythroderma and limb defects. The disorder, which
almost always impacts females, causes underdevelopment on one side of
the body, as well as painful rashes and problems with limbs on the
affected side.

Stephanie's left leg was amputated at birth. Her left arm is
underdeveloped, ending in one finger where most people have an elbow.

Using one ski and a specially adapted ski pole, she can ski down
mountains at speeds so fast it takes 50 yards to come to a complete
stop.

In 3½ years, she hopes to represent the U.S. in the Sochi, Russia,
Paralympic Games, a competition for visually or physically disabled
athletes held in conjunction with the Olympic Games.

The qualification process will probably take four years. The travel
and equipment involved are expensive; on Saturday, an antique car show
and auction in Scranton will benefit the Stephanie Jallen Paralympic
Fund.

Each year, training, travel and competitions require $35,000 to
$50,000, said Jim Gaughan, a board member of the Stephanie Jallen
Paralympics Fund, which raises money to help offset the cost.

NEPA Antique Classic Car Show and Auction
When: Saturday, Sept. 11 (Rain date: Sept. 12)
Where: 860 N. Keyser Ave., Scranton
What: Live music, vendors, food, games, door prizes, car show
(people's choice), car corral, sale of antique cars
Registration: 8 a.m.-noon (free T-shirt for first 250 registered)
Judging: Noon-2 p.m.
Awards: 3 p.m.
All proceeds benefit Stephanie Jallen Paralympic Fund
For more information: www.stephaniejallen.org

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/paralympic-skier-aims-for-russia-1.996445