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A New Sense of freedom By DAMIAN MANN Mail Tribune For many disabled people, an ice-skating rink must seem to have an off-limits sign around it. Two Jackson County women think the opposite is true - that ice is nice for the disabled and even for those in wheelchairs. Brittany Dunn and Sharon Barker want to give people with disabilities a chance to take a spin around the ice every week under a new program that will start in March at Medford's The Rrrink. "People with disabilities can have fun ice skating," said Dunn, a freshman at Southern Oregon University. Vincent Alires, who has fetal alcohol syndrome, tore up the rink Sunday with a helping hand from his new friend, Dunn. "It was good," said Alires, who tried skating once before and didn't find it such a cool experience. The "Special Skaters Program" will provide one-on-one training with a volunteer during a six-week period for just $10, and will be available to all age groups. The sessions are to be held from 6-6:30 p.m. on Tuesdays. An avid skater, 18-year-old Dunn moved to Ashland last summer and was surprised there wasn't a program to help the disabled. "I came from the Bay area where I helped out with the disabled," she said. "When I came here I found out there wasn't anything similar." That's when she hooked up with Barker, a skating director at The Rrrink who is also active in the community helping the disabled. Barker said, "They have Special Olympics. The disabled have lots of activities, so where's the ice skating?" It also gives them a chance to do something they wouldn't normally do. "People with disabilities, they want to be part of the community," said Barker. "They want to be able to do about what anyone else does." Both Barker and Dunn will welcome even those in wheelchairs. "I think they'd have a great time just being out on the ice being pushed around," said Barker. To generate more interest in the program and to find volunteers, Dunn has contacted many disability centers in the area. While she has no friends or family members who are disabled, Dunn said, "I guess I just like to help people." But in helping people and keeping up her studies at SOU as a theater major, Dunn became a little worried about embarking on this project. "School is so stressful that I said, 'I don't know if I should do this now,' " she said. But for a woman who once thought of entering the Olympics as a figure skater, Dunn is used to setting her sights high. "Eventually, I'd like to start a theater company for disabled people when I get older," she said. Dunn is hoping many disabled people in the community take advantage of the new program. If somebody can't afford the $10 for the program, Dunn said she has sponsors who would be willing to foot the bill. To sign somebody up for the program or to become a volunteer, call Sharon Barker at 770-1177. Reach reporter Damian Mann at 776-4476, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.