86 Years Old And Rolling

[NEPACIL]

We hope that age doesn't hinder our lives especially those with
disabilities. As we get older our abilities lessen from poor eyesight
to strength to memory loss. However, if we stay active and use our
abilities as long as possible we'll (hopefully, if lucky) slow the
progression.

Doris Merrill, a 86-year-old from Nanticoke, rolled to 4 medals at the
30th annual National Veterans Wheelchair Games earlier this month in
Denver, CO.

""It's a bridge to the walking world," Ms. Merrill said. "People
forget my disability, and that is the greatest compliment."

Ms. Merrill was paralyzed in 1944 in a swimming accident while serving
in the Navy. Two years later, she was diagnosed with multiple
sclerosis.

At 86, neither medical condition has slowed Ms. Merrill completely.
She has regained the ability to move her limbs slightly and has been
competing in Veterans Wheelchair Games since 1999.

At the recent wheelchair games in Denver, Ms. Merrill participated in
several events, including the slalom, motorized wheelchair rally, ramp
bowling and the Powerchair 200.

In the motorized wheelchair rally, Ms. Merrill had to use a map to
find checkpoints and answer trivia questions at each one. In the
slalom, Ms. Merrill maneuvered her wheelchair through cones, slopes
and other obstacles to a finish line.""

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/woman-86-rolls-to-four-victories-in-the-national-veterans-wheelchair-games-1.895120