We have a local (central Florida) Quad Squad group of friends who get
together and bowl regularly. A similar Quad Squad group is being formed
in Washington state.
FORMATION OF A QUAD SQUAD: Quad Squad is kind of a generic term for a group of us power wheelchair users. Most power wheelchair users function like or as quadriplegics (i.e. people with impairment in all four limbs) but any wheelchair user is welcome – whether it's CP, MD, ALS, SCI, or some other condition that is the reason for wheelchair use… it does not matter. The IKAN Bowler® makes it possible for any wheelchair user to bowl. And a bowl-a-thon is a pretty easy way to equip a group of wheelchair users with an IKAN Bowler® for each.
CADDIES TO PLACE THE BALL: we have a local nonprofit group called LovExtension, which provides volunteers to caddie for us here in central Florida. It is certainly nice to have LovExtension's help, but for other folks reading this, one good thing about quadriplegics is we generally require a caregiver, who can caddie if needed.
FRIENDLY AND LEGIT COMPETITION: friends, family, caregivers, etc.… the bigger the entourage, the more fun. Able-bodied folks can try to beat us; the IKAN Bowler® is sanctioned for legit play (including USBC leagues and tournaments). Each wheelchair user generally has their own lane when we bowl, but it's easy for an able-bodied competitor to share the lane (multiple IKAN Bowler® users can share a lane, but it's easier to bowl next to each other).
OUR BOWLING SCHEDULE: our central Florida Quad Squad group bowls twice a month. Typically, the second Saturday of each month is at AMF Leesburg Lanes, and the fourth Saturday is at Break Point Alley in Tavares. Times are almost always from roughly 4-6 PM. In November and December, we switch from the second & fourth Saturday of each month to the first & third Saturday of each month, to reduce conflicts with the holidays.
It is a fun, social, friendly competition we engage in twice a month. We usually bowl "straight up" (i.e. regular scoring rules) but occasionally we do "8 pin no tap" which means if the bowler gets 8 or more pins with the first ball, it's recorded as a strike. That is just for fun, but really can allow for some big scores.
May God bless all who are reading this.
Bill
William A. Miller, BSBA, ME
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 255 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
My blog: http://powerwheelchairusers.wordpress.com
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net
FORMATION OF A QUAD SQUAD: Quad Squad is kind of a generic term for a group of us power wheelchair users. Most power wheelchair users function like or as quadriplegics (i.e. people with impairment in all four limbs) but any wheelchair user is welcome – whether it's CP, MD, ALS, SCI, or some other condition that is the reason for wheelchair use… it does not matter. The IKAN Bowler® makes it possible for any wheelchair user to bowl. And a bowl-a-thon is a pretty easy way to equip a group of wheelchair users with an IKAN Bowler® for each.
CADDIES TO PLACE THE BALL: we have a local nonprofit group called LovExtension, which provides volunteers to caddie for us here in central Florida. It is certainly nice to have LovExtension's help, but for other folks reading this, one good thing about quadriplegics is we generally require a caregiver, who can caddie if needed.
FRIENDLY AND LEGIT COMPETITION: friends, family, caregivers, etc.… the bigger the entourage, the more fun. Able-bodied folks can try to beat us; the IKAN Bowler® is sanctioned for legit play (including USBC leagues and tournaments). Each wheelchair user generally has their own lane when we bowl, but it's easy for an able-bodied competitor to share the lane (multiple IKAN Bowler® users can share a lane, but it's easier to bowl next to each other).
OUR BOWLING SCHEDULE: our central Florida Quad Squad group bowls twice a month. Typically, the second Saturday of each month is at AMF Leesburg Lanes, and the fourth Saturday is at Break Point Alley in Tavares. Times are almost always from roughly 4-6 PM. In November and December, we switch from the second & fourth Saturday of each month to the first & third Saturday of each month, to reduce conflicts with the holidays.
It is a fun, social, friendly competition we engage in twice a month. We usually bowl "straight up" (i.e. regular scoring rules) but occasionally we do "8 pin no tap" which means if the bowler gets 8 or more pins with the first ball, it's recorded as a strike. That is just for fun, but really can allow for some big scores.
May God bless all who are reading this.
Bill
William A. Miller, BSBA, ME
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 255 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
My blog: http://powerwheelchairusers.wordpress.com
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net
