New Bowling Record for Wheelchair Users Driving by Head Array

Another month, another new dynamic wheelchair bowling record.

Earlier in February, Mike Murach posted the best bowling score for a wheelchair user who drives by head array with a strong 180.

In January, Timo Toivonen set the overall world record and record for males with muscular dystrophy with a ridiculously good 257.

Maybe it's the winter weather, since bowling is an indoor sport. Mike lives in Wisconsin (USA) and Timo lives in Finland, and I think both have pretty cold winters.

Whether it's the weather or not leading to these opportunities and scores… keep it up fellas – terrific bowling!

Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 255 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net
 

Wheelchair User Bowls a 232 and 607 Series

Last month, Curtis Wolff bowled a 232 in the first game of a three-game series totaling 607 pins. That is not too shabby for almost anyone, but it is ridiculously good for someone who is essentially paralyzed from his chest down.

Bowling 200+ in a single game is quite an achievement for a wheelchair user.

Bowling 600+ (total pins) for a three-game series is truly an extraordinary achievement for a wheelchair user.

To my knowledge, Curtis is now the third IKAN Bowler® user to have ever bowled a 600 series – but the first to do it during a sanctioned USBC league.

Curtis and seven other IKAN Bowler® users are members of the 200 club.

Here are the details in a slightly edited version from how he emailed them to me…

Hi Bill,

I just started my third year bowling in a USBC league with my IKAN Bowler. I am a C4, C5 quadriplegic with acute flaccid paralysis caused by the West Niles Virus.  We’ve corresponded in the past as I let you know about my first 200 game.  Since then I’ve had several more 200’s but this past week I hit a milestone.  Going into the tenth frame of my first game I had a legitimate chance to beat your record 255.  Well, your record is still intact as I actually opened in the tenth and ended up with a 232.

But that’s not the end. The next game I shot 187 and the last game was exciting as I needed a spare and count to break 600.  I didn’t choke this time and ended with a 188 and a 607 scratch series.

Before getting my illness I was a scratch bowler and competed at the national level.  And, while I reluctantly started to bowl again, I have persevered through starting all over and my league average is 154 and on the rise.  I’ve been consistently in the 500’s practicing this summer and fully anticipate to be averaging 180 or better by the end of this season.  My scores aren’t like the old days…. yet; but, the potential is there and am planning to compete in both the amateur bowler’s tour as well as national wheelchair tournaments in the near future.

Attached are my attested league scores as well as the computer printout from the AMF bowling center.  I’m not sure if this any type of record (I’ve seen your combined awesome score) but, I think it’s important to note this was true dynamic bowling and in a sanctioned USBC league utilizing two lanes in regular league play format.  Not a group outing. I have to wait my turn, going on and off the lanes, alternate lanes every other frame and keep up with everyone bowling on the pair. (Four person teams, 30 teams) Pretty tough to stay consistent.

A three game series of 607 is a 202.33 average. Not bad and, by the way, you can see I had a few opens so there is still room to improve. Next goal 700.

This attachment with my scoresheet should open in Adobe or other readers.

Hope all is well and if you can add this to the records some way it would be great. By the way I drive with a joystick and have limited hand movement.

Thanks for helping invent the IKAN Bowler and your hard work.  Hopefully we can meet sometime and feel free to contact me with any questions.

Curt Wolff
Thornton, Colorado 
 
Terrific bowling Curt!

And I am planning to add a page on the wheelchair bowling records website to recognize 200 and 600 club members and achievements.

Keep it up Curt – if you do have a 700 series, I will spotlight it too!
 
Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 255 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net

Wheelchair Bowling Records

In 2009, I started a wheelchair bowling records website to share the bowling achievements of different types of wheelchair users, and also to share some of what is possible for people, despite certain physical conditions.

The focus of the website is on “dynamic-style” wheelchair bowling, i.e. bowling which incorporates the movement of the wheelchair and mimics the able-bodied bowling process. Like able-bodied bowlers, wheelchair users can set up, and then physically approach and release the ball while stopping short of the foul line. That is exactly what the IKAN (“I can”) Bowler® allows wheelchair users to do. And because it mimics the able-bodied bowling process, the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) sanctioned the IKAN Bowler® for league and tournament play – bowling with and/or against able-bodied bowlers or fellow IKAN users.

We developed the IKAN Bowler® to attach to almost any wheelchair, thus enabling people who can safely control their chairs to be able to bowl. For example, I am paralyzed from the neck down and ventilator dependent, and I have literally bowled two dozen games of 200 or better – and I drive my wheelchair with my mouth, using a sip-and-puff system.

Cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and spinal cord injury are three types of conditions which can result in the need for an electric/power wheelchair, and the IKAN Bowler® can enable us to bowl on a “level playing field” with the rest of the world. People with these types of conditions are featured on the records website, and records are also shown for different methods of operating a wheelchair (joystick, chin control, head array control, sip-and-puff, etc.).

Here is the website: WheelchairBowlingRecords.com

What about other wheelchair bowling styles and records?

For decades, I would think, manual wheelchair users who still have the upper body and grip strength have been able to “park” their wheelchair in front of the foul line, lean over and toss their bowling ball down the lane. Shawn Beam and George Holscher are two men who have bowled perfect 300 games doing so. But many people require electric/power wheelchairs for mobility, and do not have the physical ability to use their arms and swing a bowling ball.

Stationary ramps can be fun for people who have enough physical ability to aim the ramp, position the ball (how the ball is positioned on either a stationary ramp or IKAN Bowler® determines the shape of the shot), and push it down the ramp. But high-level quadriplegics, like me, and people in similar conditions cannot do that.

The IKAN Bowler® is a precision-engineered ramp which attaches to its users wheelchair. After a caddie positions the ball how we want it for the shot, the wheelchair user is in control and empowered to bowl and have fun in a physical way. Not many sports and recreational opportunities exist for people who are so physically limited. A major bonus is that it is sanctioned by the USBC, allowing for genuine competition, and increasing the thrill potential for those who like to compete.

The thrill of doing something formerly not thought possible (e.g. a quadriplegic bowling a legitimate strike) and also the thrill of competition (trying to beat someone else or achieve a certain score) those are genuine thrills. And that is why our company is named Manufacturing Genuine Thrills, because that’s what we do by providing the IKAN Bowler®. :-)

I just wanted to share about the records website, and why I developed it.

Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 255 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net

A Second 200+ Game for a 65 Year Young Woman with CP

Imagine not being able to physically pick up a bowling ball… and yet, also possessing the ability to bowl legitimately – and do it well. That does not sound possible, right?

The IKAN Bowler® (and the help of a caddie) makes it possible for wheelchair users like myself and my friend Lilian Strandlund.

Lilian is 65 years young, and has used a wheelchair for more than half of those years due to cerebral palsy. On April 1, 2015 she bowled her second game of 200 or better – a 202 in her women's league – and that is not an April fools joke.

Lilian, among other things, is also a mom, wife, artist, children's book author (the previous link has both, and here's  the first and second on Amazon), and college graduate – and her 215 makes her a world record holder in several categories of bowling.

The goal of bowling (for most folks) should be to have fun, and potentially be competitive. Good scores are relative to the bowler, but bowling 200 or better is particularly noteworthy for a wheelchair user. To my knowledge, seven IKAN Users are in the 200 Club.

Here is Lilian's scoresheet (click to enlarge it):



Way to go Lilian! :-)

Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 255 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net

Vent-Dependent Quadriplegic Bowls 24th Game of 200+

Just to share some of what is possible, despite the need for a power wheelchair and mechanical ventilation, I'm sharing the scoresheet from my 24th game of 200 or better:



For anyone new to my blog, what allows me to bowl is a fancy "ramp like" device called the IKAN Bowler®, which attaches to my wheelchair. When it is attached, a caddy places the ball at the top as I instruct (because how the ball is set up determines the shape of the shot) and the rest is up to how well I drive my wheelchair and execute the shot by stopping my chair.

It's a whole lot of fun, especially bowling with friends (fellow wheelchair users, like our Quad Squad group, or able-bodied folks) or family. Technically, I am credited with co-inventing the IKAN Bowler® and for more information, click the link in my signature for our website.

If there is glory in bowling over 200 from my wheelchair, it goes to God. Thanks.
 
Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 255 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net

7 IKAN Bowler Users and a 23rd 200+ Game

At our central Florida Quad Squad outing on Saturday, September 14th, we had seven different power wheelchair users bowl with an IKAN Bowler.  The reasons for wheelchair use among the seven people include cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, and spina bifida.  We also have had people with muscular dystrophy in our group, but not on that day.

Brenda, Julie, Lilian, Rhonda, Aaron, Doug, and I were the seven IKAN users.  If you're wondering how it works, the bowling alley typically has enough lanes that each wheelchair user can bowl on his/her own lane.  Most of us bowl 3-5 games in the roughly two hours that we are together with various family, friends, and our volunteer caddies who are now friends who have become like family.  We usually have a sizable group -- and we ALWAYS have a good time! :)

Bowling is always fun, whether the scores are particularly good or not.  A good score is subjective to the person bowling, but we all have a friendly competition for top score of the afternoon (my Dad started this by offering $20 for the top score -- if that score beats me; I'm not eligible as the prize money is supposed to be incentive for people to beat me and keep my "ego" in check, says my loving Dad:) and Aaron set the bar high with a really good 196 in his second game of the afternoon.

But my strike ball found its groove and I followed Aaron's 196 with a 205 to take the lead for the top score of the afternoon.  That was my 22nd game of 200 or better, so my caddy George tried to get a printout.  But my Aunt Jackie accidentally cleared my score before George could get the printout!  Jackie apologized and half-jokingly said, "you'll just have to do it again!"

That, of course, is MUCH easier said than done, but my strike ball was working well and I did break 200 again in the very next game, nearly matching the 205 with a 204.  So that's why the title of this post includes mention of a 23rd 200+ game -- for a person who happens to be a ventilator-dependent quadriplegic.  Here's my scoresheet:


 
All glory to God and God bless all!

Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 255 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net

Victoria Conrad, Succeeding Despite CP

My blog is about empowering wheelchair users... empowering my fellow wheelchair users to seek to improve some aspect of their life, or even their mindset.  A stereotype about us wheelchair users is that for some or many of us, life is a spectator sport.  And that needn't be.

Properly enabled and empowered, the sky is the limit.  I'm a quadriplegic on a ventilator and yet I know someone in a condition like mine who has been skydiving multiple times.  Much of my blog talks about the bowling successes of people who cannot even lift a bowling ball themselves, myself included.  And I had a blog post about earning my Masters degree.  Many examples exist of people overcoming significant obstacles to achieve.

Here's a video on Victoria Conrad, a senior at the University of Massachusetts who is succeeding despite cerebral palsy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srN4g0lKGS8

I don't know Victoria personally.  But I do know that she is a great example of someone who is striving to live her life to the best of her ability, despite significant physical challenges.  We all face challenges of some kind, some more difficult than others.  And I love to see people like Victoria courageously facing and conquering the challenges before her, and striving to achieve what she wants and what she can.

She's focused on what she can do, not on what she can't.

That perspective and mindset can empower us all.

And may God bless us all.

Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 255 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net

Vent-Dependent Quadriplegic Earns Master's Degree

My blog is about empowering wheelchair users, and I hope that by sharing that I recently graduated with a Masters of Entrepreneurship from Western Carolina University, perhaps others will be encouraged to pursue additional education or whatever they desire.  I finished my Bachelor's degree and earned my Master's online in accredited degree programs.  If it helps to provide further encouragement, in every course since becoming paralyzed, I earned an A grade.

Lori Carter, a freelance writer for the Orlando Sentinel, did a story on my graduation and some of my activities.  The story was fairly long and the Sentinel chose to break it up into two smaller articles.  Here are the titles and links...

Overcoming disability, Leesburg resident Bill Miller earns master's degree:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/lake/os-lk-bill-miller-quadriplegic-graduation-20130529,0,6799500.story

Quadriplegic Bill Miller doesn't let disability slow him down:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/lake/os-lk-sidebar-bill-miller-quadriplegic-graduation-20130529,0,5074569.story

Philippians 4:13 (NIV) "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."

All glory to God, and God bless all!

Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 255 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net

VIDEO: I Can--The Bill Miller Story

A graduate student at the University of Florida, Belinda Post, asked if she could do a video story on me and our efforts to get wheelchair users (back) in the game of life, especially power wheelchair users.  I agreed, although for several months my voice has been unusually soft, so I'm hard to hear in the video (we're still trying to determine the cause and solution).

My Stepmom just watched it and thought it was "wonderful" and she and my Dad said I should share it, so I am.  I think the video is very well done, however the on-screen name for my friend should read Lilian Strandlund.  No worries.

Here's the video on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txpw6Vla5RY

God bless all!

Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 255 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net

Man Paralyzed for Over 31 Years Bowls a 209

My friend Aaron Parker bowled a 209 on March 23rd, 2013.  Many people have bowled that well before, but not many — if any — who have lived with paralysis for more than 31 years.

Aaron has been a C7 quadriplegic since July 1st, 1981.  He is paralyzed from his chest down and thus uses a power wheelchair.  That doesn’t sound like a typical description for someone who just set a personal bowling record of 209, but adding an IKAN Bowler to a wheelchair allows its user to bowl in a way that is equivalent to how able-bodied people bowl (so says the USBC).  For an explanation and video example, checkout WheelchairBowlingRecords.com.

I personally find it amazing that someone who has been paralyzed for over 31 years can compete in a sport on a level “playing field” and do so very well.

For Aaron’s scoresheet and more, click here:

http://www.wheelchairbowlingrecords.com/Aaron_Parker_209.htm

CONGRATULATIONS Aaron!

Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 255 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net

Steve Kettenhoven enters 200 Club -- AND sets CP record!

On February 6th, I "introduced" myself (via email) to Steve Kettenhoven, a Wisconsin man who was awaiting delivery of his IKAN Bowler. I just wanted to offer tips or help to make his IKAN experience as fun and successful as possible, since I'm the co-inventor and overall world record holder (this is something I just started doing with customers; if any existing customers have any questions or want tips, please contact me here, as I should've started emailing customers from the beginning and I apologize for not doing so).

Little did I know just how eager Steve was to receive his IKAN Bowler. It turns out, Steve has bowled a 248 with a stationary ramp, but said he wanted to bowl in a more "realistic and quicker" fashion with an IKAN Bowler. Plus, he wanted to learn quickly and start using his IKAN in a league right away.

To make a long story shorter, Steve received his IKAN Bowler on Friday, February 8th, and started practicing that weekend (and some during the week also). The following weekend, on Sunday, February 17th, he went out and bowled a FANTASTIC 598 series -- 205, 211, and 182 -- just nine days after receiving his IKAN Bowler! In doing so, he became just the 7th IKAN user to join the "200 Club" (the other six are listed and linked in the write-up about the 6th member HERE).

Steve also set the wheelchair bowling record for a male with cerebral palsy.

For Steve's scoresheet, commentary, and YouTube clip of him, click HERE!
 
CONGRATULATIONS and THANK YOU for sharing Steve! Keep it up!

Bill Miller  :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 255 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net

Quadriplegic Bowler Aaron Parker Enters "200 Club" with a 202

On January 26th, 2013, my friend and fellow Central Florida Quad Squad Bowler Aaron Parker bowled a 202 and became the 6th IKAN Bowler user to bowl 200 or better (to our knowledge; if you know another IKAN user who has broken 200, please contact me).

The 200-Club now consists of these wheelchair & IKAN users: Aaron Parker, Alex McDonald, Anthony (a Veteran who called us about breaking 200, but he passed away before we got his last name or scoresheet), Jon Musgrave, Lilian Strandlund, and me (Bill Miller).

CLICK HERE for more details on Aaron's big day and links for the people mentioned above.

CONGRATULATIONS and WELCOME to the 200-Club Aaron! :-)

Bill Miller  :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 255 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net

Wheelchair Bowling Records

For anyone new to this blog, you might not be aware that I also maintain a wheelchair bowling records website:

http://www.wheelchairbowlingrecords.com

The purpose of the site is to share the record achievements of various categories of wheelchair users.  The reason for wheelchair use and the method of chair control describe the people in the record categories at the website.  For example, I use a wheelchair because of a spinal cord injury and I operate my chair with my mouth, via sip-and-puff control.  And I'm male (we have male and female categories also).

The cool thing is that with an IKAN Bowler, as long as people can safely operate their chairs, it doesn't really matter why they use a wheelchair, how they operate it, or what their gender is.  But we try to recognize the top achievers in each category.

Please feel free to share the website (or this blog) with any wheelchair users you know.

Thanks,

Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 255 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net

IKAN User Profile: JR Harding, Ed. D., Florida

I know "Dr. Harding" as JR.  He is a rare two-time quadriplegic.  JR has contributed to national, state and local disability policy as a two-time U.S. presidential appointee, seven-time gubernatorial appointee, and a community volunteer for all things related to the quality of life for persons with disabilities.

His community work secured $3.5 million of accessibility enhancements to Billy Joe Rish Park, a desirable and affordable vacation location designed with wheelchair users and people with disabilities in mind.  It's on the beach in Northwest Florida (www.RishPark.org).

JR's book, "Now What?" (available in paperback and ebook versions) chronicles his early journey from high school football star through two different spinal cord injuries.  It is an intense personal sharing of tragedy, triumph, failures and successes.

He's also had some fun and success bowling IKAN-style.

Here are JR's IKAN User Profile answers...

Name: JR Harding, Ed. D.
Age: 45
Location: Tallahassee, FL
Reason for Wheelchair Use: Two-time C5 Quadriplegic (1983 & 1998)
Onset or Injury date: (above)
Wheelchair Operation Method: Joystick for power chair primarily; I use a manual chair occasionally
High Bowling Score: 179
Approx Bowling Average: 130
Bowling Frequency: Every other month
Bowling Ball: 15 lb ball
Quote from JR: "Don't sit on the sidelines, get back in the game of life."

Thank you for your many contributions JR!

Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 255 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net

New Record for a Female Using Sip-and-Puff!

My friend and fellow Quad Squad member Rhonda Reese set a new record for dynamic-style wheelchair bowling by a female driving her wheelchair by sip-and-puff. Rhonda bowled a very impressive 195 -- beating her previous best by whopping 25 pins!

Rhonda & I have been friends since long before the IKAN Bowler was invented, and I know she loves having upped the record to a lofty 195. I also know that she has wanted to beat me for the afternoon's high score for quite some time (I think she beat me once previously, but she doesn't recall doing so).

But she'll certainly remember the outcomes from Quad Squad Bowling on July 14th, 2012 (she has the scoresheets to prove it). Yes, she beat me. Technically, she beat me twice that afternoon (although highest overall game is what we go by).

Brenda, Lilian, Melissa, Aaron, Rhonda and I were the IKAN-style bowlers that day, and while everyone had fun, the high score competition would come down to Rhonda and me. I started with a solid game of 157, which Rhonda promptly topped with a 159. In hindsight, that appears to have been a harbinger of what was to come.

So I knew I had to at least beat 159 in order to have the afternoon's top score, and in my second game, I bowled a 194. That's not exactly shabby. I looked over at Rhonda, who was still finishing her second game, and (though I should've waited) I said, "Sorry, Rhonda" for beating her 159 by a good bit and taking over the high score.

Then I proceeded to watch Rhonda bowl a strike in the 9th frame, which gave her the possibility of catching me with another strike (at least) in the tenth frame. She got it. And with her second ball in the tenth, she knocked down 7 pins, giving her 195 regardless of what she did with her bonus ball -- and securing a likely victory over me and our Quad Squad friends on the afternoon (I managed a 184 in my third and final game of the day, which obviously fell short of her 195).

On a day of excellent bowling for Rhonda, the only "bad" news is that she was left to try to pickup a nasty 4-7-10 split with her last ball of her record game. That spare attempt, for us IKAN Users, is makeable probably one-percent of the time, if that. Rhonda went for it but missed. If Rhonda had an easier three pins remaining, she would've had a much better chance to break 200 (the three pins would've been added to her strike, essentially counting double, and would've given her 201), which she lamented later.

Nonetheless, Rhonda was (and is still) quite pleased with her 195, her new record, and with beating me (by one pin!:). And, though I'm quite competitive and don't like to lose, I'm quite happy for Rhonda too.

Click HERE for Rhonda's scoresheet.

CONGRATULATIONS RHONDA! :-)

Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 255 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net

Meet Bill Miller (Video!)

I learned that people like blogs because they are like having a conversation with the author.  With that in mind, I recorded a 6-minute video to share some about me and to show some of what is possible as a high-level quadriplegic, even while requiring a ventilator:

Here's the direct link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiVonbXUWcU

For the record, doing that video, I was thinking back to when I was newly injured and wondering what life might be like.  Hopefully the video will be encouraging to other people, especially other newly injured quadriplegics.

God bless all.

Bill Miller :-)

C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 255 High Bowling Game

Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT

Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com

Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net

New Overall World Record for Dynamic-Style Wheelchair Bowling

Vent-Dependent Quadriplegic Bill Miller Bowls a 255 in a 674 Series

I, Bill Miller, am blessed to have actually bowled a 255 and 245 in consecutive games in a 674 series.  The 255 is the new overall world record for dynamic-style wheelchair bowling, and the record for wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries, and also for sip-and-puff wheelchair users.  And, yes, I am paralyzed from my neck down and also a fulltime ventilator user.

For other categories of wheelchair bowling records, click HERE.

For the scoresheet, pictures, and details of my new records, click HERE.

Thanks and God bless!

Bill Miller :-)

C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 255 High Bowling Game

Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT

Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com

Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net

Vent-Dependent Quadriplegic Bowls a 212 and 14th Game of 200+

Recently at Quad Squad Bowling, I bowled my third highest score to date, a 212, which was my 14th game of 200 or better.  That's not bad, especially considering that I'm paralyzed from my neck down and use a ventilator to breathe.  I share this to show people, especially wheelchair users, what is possible.

If you're wondering how it's possible, the answer is called an IKAN Bowler, which is essentially a fancy bowling ramp that can attach to pretty much any wheelchair.  I'm actually credited with co-inventing the IKAN Bowler, and we got it approved by the United States Bowling Congress (USBC) for league and tournament play -- any league or tournament, anywhere -- bowling with and/or against able-bodied bowlers or fellow IKAN Users.  Of course IKAN Users can also bowl just for fun, recreationally, too.

You can download my scoresheet as a PDF file (if you cannot open it, download free Adobe Reader HERE).

My strike ball was working well that day, but I had an unusually difficult time picking up spares (which is to say that I missed quite a few "easy" spares that I usually convert) especially in the first game.  I managed to bowl a turkey (i.e. three consecutive strikes) which helped me to a 161 in my first game, despite having just one spare.

My second game was the 212.  My strike ball continued to work well as I had another turkey and two non-consecutive strikes also.  I did much better with my spare attempts in game two, converting all five, including in the tenth frame.  I was particularly pleased with that spare pickup because had I missed it, I would've had a 202 -- for the third time.

I'll always be thrilled with any game of 200 or better -- and it's fun to bowl even if the scores aren't so high -- but I really wanted a score that I hadn't bowled before.  So picking up the spare in the tenth frame, and following it with 9 pins with the extra ball, that gave me a 212.  I've now had a 200, four 201s, two 202s, a 203, 205, 206, 210, 212, 221 and 223.

My third game was not-so-good, especially compared to what I'd just done.  Not to make excuses, but I had four splits and also missed two single-pin spare attempts.  That resulted in a 136, which I couldn't possibly end on, so I bowled a fourth game -- which could have been my 15th game of 200 or better.

Game four was good -- I actually had four consecutive strikes.  So I was certainly in good position to break 200 again, but in the tenth frame, I started my ball out too wide and it didn't come back into the headpin enough.  That left me with a difficult spare attempt (4-5-7-8; you can see the setup on the scoresheet) which requires perfectly splitting the 4 & 5 pins, and hoping the 7 & 8 will fall also.  I very nearly split the 4 & 5, just barely missing the 5 pin (the ball is just a bit bigger than the space between the two side-by-side pins, but a very accurate shot is required to get both pins).  And so I ended with a 195.

All in all, it was a whole lot of fun.  I thank my fellow bowlers, caddies, and everyone who was cheering me on, and also those who helped make it possible for a vent-dependent quadriplegic to not only go somewhere, but to physically and fairly compete in a sport.

I'm grateful.

All glory to God.

Sincerely,
 

Bill Miller :-)

C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 223 High Bowling Game

Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT

My blog: http://powerwheelchairusers.blogspot.com

Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com

Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net

Disability Doesn't Stop This Valedictorian

I'm inspired by, humbled, and honored to know Audrey Winkelsas.  We met when she became an IKAN User -- and she recently graduated from high school as her class VALEDICTORIAN -- despite the additional challenges of having Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and using a power wheelchair since the age of two.  Audrey also bowled on her high school team, using the IKAN Bowler that belonged to our late Quad Squad buddy Alex McDonald (click HERE for my 2009 year in review which mentions some of Alex's achievements and his unexpected passing).

After Alex's sudden passing, his parents wanted to find another high school student with Muscular Dystrophy (SMA is a form of MD) to whom they could donate Alex's Bowler, and Audrey was a gracious recipient.  In the below article, Audrey & her family wanted Alex & his family mentioned, but the reporter didn't, so I'm mentioning it now.  Nonetheless, it's a great article, and was originally posted HERE.

If that link expires, you can download a PDF version HERE.

Despite living relatively far away, Audrey has joined us for Quad Squad Bowling multiple times, and as you can read at the above links, she's a phenomenal young woman.

And her story of achievement despite disability needs to be shared.

CONGRATULATIONS AUDREY! :-)

Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 223 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
My blog: http://powerwheelchairusers.blogspot.com
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net

IKAN User Profile: Lilian Strandlund, Florida

Last month I introduced you to Angie Keiser, a delightful, record-setting woman who is 65-years-young. The person who introduced Angie to IKAN-style bowling was Lilian Strandlund, Angie's good friend, who is also a delightful, record-setting woman.

Born with cerebral palsy that has her using a power wheelchair, Lilian is 59-years-young and has never let her disability stop her from living life. Imagine being born 40 years before the ADA and being a wheelchair user, yet Lilian graduated high school on time with her able-bodied peers and went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts 2-D from Cal State University (Northridge). Lilian was a selling artist before her daughter was born in 1981. Now Lilian is a business owner, and recently traveled from Florida to California with her boyfriend Ed for her high school's 40th class reunion. Did I mention that her CP affects her ability to speak?

That makes her accomplishments even more impressive, and it didn't stop Lilian from joining a Toastmaster's speaking group -- and giving speeches -- which is where she met my Dad and learned of the IKAN Bowler.

And as of March 14, 2009... Lilian Strandlund has become a big-time achiever in the sport of dynamic wheelchair bowling. Lilian bowled a most impressive 189, which to date, sets the top record for anyone with CP, for a female who drives her chair by joystick, AND for ALL female dynamic wheelchair bowlers! That's not bad -- three world records with one game. Lilian opened her multiple record-setting game with a strike, followed it with a spare, then another strike, and spares the rest of the way. She had no open frames -- a task that is not easy to accomplish, as any bowler will tell you, able-bodied or not.

CONGRATULATIONS LILIAN and keep up the impressive work! :-)

Here's a link to Lilian's scoresheet:
http://www.wheelchairbowlingrecords.com/Lilian_Strandlund_Multiple_Records_189.htm

And here are Lilian's IKAN User profile answers:

Name: Lilian Strandlund
Age: 59
Location: Mt. Dora, FL
Reason for Wheelchair Use: Cerebral Palsy
Onset or Injury Date: Birth
Wheelchair Operation Method: Joystick
High Bowling Score: 189
Approx. Bowling Average: 135
Typical Range of Scores: 115 - 165
Bowling Frequency: Once a week in league bowling and twice a month for Quad Squad Team
Bowling Ball(s): Yellow Dot 16 lbs
Quote from Lilian: "Having a positive attitude is most important for achieving your goals. Taking action to acquire your goals is the second most important. If you think you can, you can! If you think you can't, you can't. You can choose how you want to think."

Great quote Lilian, thanks!

Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 206 High Bowling Game
Co-founder of Manufacturing Genuine Thrills Inc. d/b/a MGT
My blog: http://powerwheelchairusers.blogspot.com
Business website: http://www.ikanbowler.com
Personal website: http://www.lookmomnohands.net