Vent-Dependent Quadriplegic Bowls 21st 200+ Game

Many wheelchair users are not aware that a relatively new device exists that enables even people paralyzed from the neck down (like me) to bowl in a way that mimics the able-bodied bowling process.  The IKAN ("I can") Bowler® attaches to one's wheelchair and allows its user to setup, and then physically approach and release the ball upon stopping short of the foul line.  That's basically able-bodied bowlers do, and it's why the United States Bowling Congress sanctioned the IKAN Bowler® for league and tournament play, bowling with or against able-bodied bowlers and/or fellow IKAN users.

Using my IKAN Bowler, I had my 21st game of 200 or better on June 22nd, with a 213 in my first game of the day with our Quad Squad Bowling group.  Brenda, Melissa, Ben and I were the IKAN users that day, and we all had a good time as usual.  It was our first time back at what was Classique Lanes and is now Break Point Alley.  I opened with a turkey (three straight strikes) and that seemed to be validation that we made the right choice to return to the revamped bowling alley.

Here's my scoresheet, and additional commentary is below (click the picture to enlarge the scoresheet):

I followed the turkey with a 9-spare, then two more strikes, and knew I could/should break 200 unless I messed it up, which I almost did.  In my next two frames, the 7th and 8th, I missed spares I usually make.  I rebounded with a 9-spare in the 9th, which meant that a mark (spare or strike) in the 10th frame would result in 200+.  My strike ball worked twice more and I added 9 with the bonus ball in the 10th for a 213.

Just being able to bowl legitimately is fun, and I tell new IKAN users that having fun and striving to bowl personal best games are what I would try to do each time out.  I happen to have co-invented the IKAN Bowler, so I've bowled with it quite a bit, and my personal best is 255, which happens to be the overall world record for dynamic wheelchair bowling.  I'd love to break 255, but that's a really high score, and my goal each time out is to have a 500 series (three games with roughly a 167 average) because that's not easy, and takes quite a bit of quality bowling for IKAN users.

Our ball speed averages about 6 mph so we don't get nearly the "pin action" that most able-bodied bowlers do, so it takes excellent placement (and some luck) to get quite a few strikes in one game.  It takes at least a few consecutive strikes to give a person a good opportunity to break 200.  My average is about 155-160, so bowling 200 or better is fairly rare and special, which is why I keep track of the number of times I do it.

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

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

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

Records Set for Males Driving by Head Array Control

Brian Keefer's 159 Sets the Pace for Males Driving by Head Array Control

If the name Brian Keefer sounds familiar, then perhaps you're a fan of the TV show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.  The Keefer family was featured on the show on October 21st, 2011. I wrote about it at this blog entry.

Anyway, Brian has had opportunities to bowl in the last few months, and has set the record three times for male wheelchair users who drive via head array control.  He currently has the record at 159 (scoresheet HERE).

Brian's Dad Steve said Brian "loves bowling" and wants to bowl often.  So I'm thinking that the 159 won't be Brian's last record.

CONGRATULATIONS BRIAN and GOOD LUCK BOWLING! :-)

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

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

A New Record for People Who Use Sip-and-Puff Wheelchairs

Bill Miller's 224 and 15th 200 Game -- and 585 Series

At our Central Florida Quad Squad Bowling outing on January 28th, I bowled my highest score to date -- a 224 -- which is a new record for wheelchair users who operate their chairs by sip-and-puff (mouth control). I also bowled my highest series of three games -- 179, 182, and 224 for a 585 series -- and the 224 was my 15th game of 200 or better.

Many people have bowled that well before -- but I happen to be a C1-2 quadriplegic who is paralyzed from my neck down and ventilator dependent. And using an IKAN Bowler (which is legit because it's sanctioned by the USBC) I've now had a 200, four 201s, two 202s, a 203, 205, 206, 210, 212, 221, 223 and 224.

Here's the link to my scoresheet and commentary is below:

http://www.wheelchairbowlingrecords.com/Bill_Miller_224_Story_and_Scoresheet.htm

Peggy, Aaron, and I were the three Quad Squad Bowlers / IKAN Users on this day, and we were assisted by volunteer caddies from LovExtension (Connie, Pat, Nancy, and Linda, who caddied my 224 game:). Peggy did well, considering it has been a couple months since she bowled, and Aaron did well too, considering he was using a brand new ball for the first time. We all had fun -- it's always a festive environment with a combination of caddies, caregivers, family and friends cheering us on.

I started out very well, bowling a 179 in my first game, and having only two open frames (a frame with no spare or strike). I managed to stay hot in game 2, bowling a 182 with just one open frame.

So, after just three open frames out of the twenty frames in my first two games, I actually had two open frames halfway through my third game and was sitting on 77 after the 5th frame. That doesn't sound like a start that would beat my previous high game of 223.

But when you roll six-consecutive strikes, the score adds up fast! :-)

Bowling is always fun, even if I don't score so high. But my goal is goal is to have a 500 (or better) series each time I bowl, which is a 166.7 average (or better). That's pretty solid bowling, because such an average usually requires us to have 8 or 9 marks (spares and strikes combined) out of 10 frames. I say that because we have limited ball speed (6 mph) compared to able-bodied bowlers (adult males usually average 15-20 mph ball speed) and the difference equals less "pin action" at impact. That means it's harder for us IKAN Users to get strikes. So I was certainly blessed to get six in a row.

Though I'm quite happy to have bowled 224, a small piece of me is "kicking myself" because had I made the two single-pin spares in my first and 5th frames, and then finished how I did, my score would've been a 246 -- and would've topped Jon Musgrave's 243, which is the overall world record for wheelchair bowlers bowling dynamically (IKAN style).

See, wheelchair users can be competitive too.

All glory to God.

Bill Miller  :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 224 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

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

IKAN User Profile: Aaron Parker, Florida

Aaron Parker has had a lot of fun learning to bowl and improving his game over the last couple of months.  My new friend and fellow Central Florida Quad Squad Bowler, Aaron's first game IKAN-style was a 101 on September 10th, which is a good first game.  In his second, he had a 124!  Not bad for a person who has been paralyzed as a C7 quadriplegic for the last 30 years.

But Aaron was using a house ball, and the problem with that is every time you go bowling, you have to learn how the borrowed ball is going to curve with the different positions we can set it up in (each ball is different).  So Aaron purchased a used house ball, which I think is quite smart because you can test as many as you want until you find one that works well for you.  And Aaron worked his way up to a high game of 144 -- until our latest Quad Squad outing.

On November 19th, Aaron started out with a 125, then had a 132, and then he got on a roll with a 156 -- a new personal best.  But he wasn't done!  He kept making quality shots and in game four he actually bowled a 179!  His scoresheet is HERE.

What was particularly impressive is that Aaron had only one open frame (a frame without a strike or spare) in his 179 game, and the open frame was a split.  Not only that, but just before Aaron bowled his 179, I bowled a 170, and Aaron needed to pickup his spare in the 10th frame, or he would've finished with a 169 (we Quad Squad Bowlers have a friendly competition for high score when we bowl).  I was happy to see Aaron bowl so well, even though he beat me.

Here are Aaron's profile answers:

Name: Aaron Parker
Age: 56
Location: Umatilla, Florida
Reason for Wheelchair Use: C-7 Quadriplegic
Onset or Injury Date: 7-1-81
Wheelchair Operation Method: Joy Stick
High Bowling Score: 179
Approx Bowling Average: 125
Typical Range of Scores: first 9 weeks: 100-130; last two weeks: 125-179
Bowling Frequency: Once a week
Bowling Ball(s):  Used house ball 15 lbs. 11 oz.
Quote from Aaron: "God has truly blessed us wheelchair users with good enjoyment through Bill and Claude's invention of the IKAN Bowler.  Thanks!"

Thanks Aaron -- keep up the good work!

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

Our IKAN Bowler on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition!

My friend, MGT partner, and IKAN Bowler co-inventor Claude Giguere, will help a young adult wheelchair user bowl IKAN-style on the "Keefer Family" episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition -- this Friday, October 21, from 8-10 p.m. Eastern on ABC.

Edit: you can watch both parts online at these links: Part 1 and Part 2.

From the show's website: "Keefer Family -- The team helps build a home for the family of a man who quit his job to take care of his paralyzed adult son."

If you're new to my blog, the IKAN ("I can") Bowler is an empowerment device for wheelchair users, even power / electric wheelchair users.  The IKAN Bowler is sanctioned by the USBC for league and tournament play -- bowling with and/or against able-bodied bowlers or fellow IKAN Users.  It's therapeutic, recreational, and a genuine thrill to be able to get a spare or strike for someone who cannot pickup a heavy bowling bowl (i.e. power wheelchair users like me).

We have video on our website, and two sets of pictures from Quad Squad Bowling outings are linked from an earlier blog post.

Essentially ANY wheelchair user CAN BOWL with the IKAN Bowler, regardless of driving method or reason for wheelchair use (SCI, MD, CP, amputee, etc).

See record scores in various categories HERE.

Something you might not realize is there are entities to which tax deductible donations can be made that can help wheelchair users be able to bowl IKAN-style.  Contact my partner Vincent Tifer (vincenttifer@ikanbowler.com) for details.

God bless!

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

New Wheelchair Bowling Record for Females with MD

Peggy Overbey's 179 Is the New Wheelchair Bowling Record for Females who have Muscular Dystrophy

My friend & fellow Central Florida Quad Squad Bowler Peggy Overbey set a new wheelchair bowling record for females with Muscular Dystrophy, bowling a 179 last Saturday.  For her scoresheet, click HERE!

We had four IKAN Users -- two girls and two guys -- at the Quad Squad outing, and Peggy & Lilian decided they wanted it to be girls vs. guys (them vs. Aaron and me). Let's just say it was the girls' day.

Shortly after Peggy's 179, Lilian posted a 185, and since we generally use each person's top score of the afternoon for comparison, Aaron and I were in trouble. In Aaron's defense, it was just his second Quad Squad outing bowling IKAN-style. But I had difficulty putting together a particularly good game too. No worries. Congratulations to the ladies -- they bowled very well!

The unusual thing about Peggy's record game, is that she had a very impressive six strikes (including a turkey to start her game and a double later) but no spares. That's unusual because Peggy is typically very good at picking up spares, especially when she's got her "A game." That goes to show the power of consecutive strikes -- they help you accumulate points quickly.

For Peggy's previous best, click HERE.

Keep up the good work Peggy!

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

New Wheelchair Bowling Records for a Female Overall, a Female with CP, and a Female Driving by Joystick

Lilian Strandlund Enters 200 Club with a 215 -- Setting Multiple Records

At our recent central Florida Quad Squad Bowling outing, my friend Lilian Strandlund smashed her personal bowling best of 189 with a whopping... 215!

In doing so, Lilian also reset her and the records for a female overall, a female with cerebral palsy, and a female driving by joystick. These are legitimate world records in these categories of wheelchair bowling because she bowled them in dynamic fashion with an IKAN Bowler, which is sanctioned by the USBC when used dynamically (for details, click HERE).

For more about Lilian, her game, her scoresheet, and a picture of her fantastic smile after her record game -- click HERE!

CONGRATULATIONS LILIAN! :-)

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

Quad Squad Bowling Photos 2011-07-10

We had five IKAN Users, myself included, at Quad Squad Bowling on July 10th.  Youth Group members from First Baptist Church of Umatilla caddied for us.

You can view the photos on Facebook HERE (a Facebook account is not required).

For details about Quad Squad Bowling and photos from an earlier outing, click HERE.

Thank you to everyone who helped make it fun & memorable -- and God bless!

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

A New Record and the Real Meaning of Handicap Zero

Bill Miller's 223 and 12th 200 Game -- and 564 Series

At Quad Squad Bowling recently, I bowled my top score ever -- a 223 -- and my second best series of three games -- a 564.  Did you know that I'm paralyzed from my neck down and ventilator dependent?  And my that score is a legitimate world record for wheelchair users who drive via sip-and-puff?

All the above is true, and if you want to know more about how, why and/or to see pictures, checkout the below details and this blog entry about Quad Squad Bowling in general: click HERE!

Below I describe the record outing -- and keep reading for the real meaning of "Handicap Zero!"

My scoresheet (and this full story) is HERE.

Click HERE for the direct link to the scoresheet.

We had A LOT OF FUN at our recent central Florida Quad Squad Bowling outing. We had four power wheelchair bowlers / IKAN Users: Peggy, Lilian, Rhonda, and me; five volunteer caddies to help us: Linda, Nancy, Pat, June, and Marguerite -- and additional family, friends, and caregivers too -- a big crowd! And I almost missed the fun because the weather was so bad on our drive over that we stopped for a while and nearly decided to head home.

Anyway, after our weather delay, I was late starting, and Peggy wound up completing her second game and posting a 157 just as I was finishing my first game. A 157 is a solid start to the $20 "Quad Squad Challenge" (my Dad offers $20 to any IKAN User who can beat my top score of the day, which he says is for "ego" control, and I say is for fun and livelier competition:). Some days 157 will be the top score. Not this day.

The real fun started when my beloved caregiver / Aunt Jackie saw me needing to finish strong (with a spare and a good count in the 10th) after I bowled my first ball of the 10th frame. Jackie said loudly, "Hey Peggy, sit up (she was tilting back in her chair) and watch a grown man choke!!!"

Seemingly everyone started laughing at Jackie's comment, partially out of shock! My reply, was "Whose side are you on, anyway?!" It was all in good fun. But maybe that helped me concentrate a bit more on my 1-2-8 spare (the 1-2 are diagonal and close; the 8-pin is a sleeper behind the 2-pin) which I picked up (and looked like I knew what I was doing:). I didn't choke on the last ball either, needing six pins to surpass Peggy's 157 and getting nine to post a 161. And, yes, the crowd, including Jackie, cheered when I didn't choke after Jackie's friendly taunt.

Perhaps all that propelled me to bowl my best game ever in my second game of the day. But it only started out "average" after a spare in the 1st frame and an open frame in the 2nd -- on a nasty 4-10 split, which you can see on the detailed scoresheet HERE.

At the above link, you can see the pin placement for what I had left in the 2nd frame (and all the frames). That shot is possible, but extremely difficult due to the angle at which we must barely clip the left side of the 4-pin in order to get it to cross the lane and hit the 10-pin. My angle wasn't quite good enough, but I did get the 4-pin. Then I followed with two spares, and then a turkey -- three straight strikes! After another spare, I rolled another strike in my 9th frame and said to my caddy, Marguerite, "How about I strike out?"

That's bad in baseball but good in bowling (completing the rest of the game with nothing but strikes). It was partly "wishful thinking" when I said it, but I nearly did it. I rolled two more for another turkey, and had a good chance with my extra ball in the 10th (which appeared to be pretty well placed in the pocket) but my nemesis, the 10-pin, remained standing.

Nonetheless, the result was 223, which topped my previous best of 221 (click HERE for details). To God be the glory.

My goal for bowling, besides enjoying the camaraderie and fun with everyone, is to bowl a 500 series every time out -- which is a 166.7 average over three games. My typical average is about 150, so a 500 series represents some pretty quality bowling (to do so typically requires about 8 marks per game, unless several of the marks are consecutive strikes, which boost one's score much faster than solo strikes or spares).

After the first two games, I had 384 total pins, and thus only needed 116 for a 500 series. After bowling as well as I had, I would've been disappointed if I failed to reach 500 pins. Fortunately, I still had my "A game" for the most part, and posted a 180 for a 564 series -- my second best series ever.

My best series ever was a 570 (169, 206, and 195: click HERE for details). 

My bowling performance that day was slightly better overall because I had fewer strikes in the three games, and thus had to convert more spares. But in both that series and this series, I only missed two non-split spare attempts in my three games. That's why they are my best two bowling performances.

But what is my favorite thing about such bowling performances?

Below my name on the scoresheet, it says "Hdcp 0" i.e. "Handicap ZERO!"

Technically, that means we aren't bowling in a league or tournament and therefore aren't using our averages as something called a bowling "handicap" for the event.

However, I choose to view "Handicap Zero" as the number of limitations on those of us who bowl with an IKAN Bowler via our wheelchairs, which are necessary due to significant physical disabilities.  Despite such physical disabilities, the IKAN Bowler gives us a fair "playing field" on which to compete (so says the United States Bowling Congress -- and users like little ol' me:).

"Handicap Zero" is also a mindset I choose to use in approaching life. Sure, I'm currently a quadriplegic and thus must do some things differently and require assistance for others, but I can still accomplish much -- WE ALL CAN -- in this game called life -- if we keep a positive mindset and think of what we can do and disregard the rest.

Some final notes on this bowling outing: Peggy makes some spare pickups look real easy. Rhonda is trying to find her bowling "groove" again after not being able to bowl for several months. And Lilian is trying to find her left-handed bowling groove (she recently switched from righty-style to lefty-style for strike attempts). But we all had fun, and Rhonda put the exclamation point on the day as she was the last bowler to finish and did so with a strike in her 10th frame to the sound of many cheers.

Thanks for reading -- and God bless!!!

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

Quad Squad Bowling

Our "Quad Squad" is a group of mostly power wheelchair users who get together in Central Florida and bowl (usually twice a month) using the IKAN Bowler.  (The IKAN Bowler is an empowerment device that attaches to the front of almost any wheelchair -- it's fun, therapeutic, and legit: www.ikanbowler.com.)

We usually have between 3-5 IKAN Users bowling, and have had eight at one time.  Since we bowl regularly, a non-profit organization called LovExtension (www.lovextension.com) provides caddy help for us bowlers, which gives our caregivers a chance to relax and cheer us on.

See pictures of a Quad Squad outing for free on Facebook or Shutterfly (no account required to view them from either entity).

Here are record scores for various categories of wheelchair users:

http://www.WheelchairBowlingRecords.com

The name "Quad Squad" isn't trademarked or anything, and anyone reading this could start their own Quad Squad group in their area.  No worries.

We typically bowl twice a month: on the 2nd Saturday of each month at Classique Lanes in Tavares, and on the 4th Saturday of each month at Spanish Springs Lanes in The Villages (addresses below).  We bowl from roughly 4-6 p.m. 

When it's bowling week, I send an email to my Quad Squad Bowling list (I'll add anyone who wants on) to remind and affirm when and where we plan to bowl (I occasionally share additional items I believe are noteworthy also).

Most importantly, Quad Squad Bowling is a WHOLE LOT OF FUN! :-)

If you'd like to join us sometime, contact me via my website (www.lookmomnohands.net).  We usually have an IKAN Bowler available for someone to borrow!

Here are the addresses for where we usually bowl:

CLASSIQUE LANES (Bowling Center)

15026 Classique Lane

Tavares, FL 32778

352-343-5333

SPANISH SPRINGS LANES

997 Alverez Avenue

Lady Lake, FL 32159 (Lady Lake/The Villages)

352-750-9440

Thanks for your interest and God bless!

Bill Miller :-)

C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 221 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

Civitan Clubs Use IKAN Bowler to Help People with Disabilities

The Mission Statement for Civitan International is:

"To build good citizenship by providing a volunteer organization of clubs dedicated to serving individual and community needs with an emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities."

Source: http://www.civitan.com/template.php?t=sr&id=101

Civitan members in Louisiana were excited to learn about the IKAN Bowler and how it can empower wheelchair users (click HERE for how).  They have purchased three IKAN Bowlers for use by people in their communities.  They also invited our company (Manufacturing Genuine Thrills, Inc. a.k.a. MGT) to attend the International Civitan Convention in New Orleans in July to help spread awareness about our IKAN Bowler, which we are planning to do.

Civitan Clubs exist in many communities throughout the U.S. and World.  If you're interested in seeing if your local Civitan Club will help empower wheelchair users in your community with the IKAN Bowler, email my MGT co-founding partner Vincent Tifer at VincentTifer@ikanbowler.com for whom to contact.

Bill Miller :-)

C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 221 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

What's Coming in 2011

The two main things I want to profile on my blog in 2011 are: (1) IKAN User profiles from people around the U.S. and World, and (2) further chronicles of my pursuit of the Diaphragm Pacing System (DPS).

Wheelchair users around the U.S. and also some abroad, mostly in Europe, are enjoying dynamic bowling with the IKAN Bowler and I want to share more of their stories/profiles here.  Many wheelchair users, especially power wheelchair users, still don't know that dynamic bowling is possible, regardless of one's reason for wheelchair use or chair type.  Anyone who can safely operate a wheelchair can bowl, and I'm going to share stories of people who are.  Some can be found here: www.WheelchairBowlingRecords.com.

Also, if you've followed my blog, you know I've been pursuing an alternative to the ventilators that I've used the last 13+ years which is a diaphragmatic pacing system.  I'm (hopefully) getting close to a surgery date.  The coordinating doctor for my concurrent surgeries (in addition to the DPS, I'm also having my cardiac pacemaker replaced during the same trip to the operating room) is checking out the possibility of surgery on February 1st or 3rd.  So in roughly a month, I could have these surgeries done, but neither date has been confirmed (either is fine from my caregivers' and my perspective).

The goal of my blog is to spread awareness about how wheelchair users are being empowered, in hopes that it could help improve the quality of life for other wheelchair users.  So I might also share other noteworthy items here.  We'll see what the year brings!

I agree with Charles Swindoll who said, "Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it."  May you control what you can and react well to everything else.

Have a healthy and happy 2011 -- and God bless!

Bill Miller :-)

C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 221 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: Ben Lux, Florida

My buddy Ben Lux is one of the original members of our Central Florida area Quad Squad group.  Ben actually had the top overall score for an IKAN User, a 183 on May 10, 2004.  Ben isn't able to bowl as frequently as he did back in 2004, but he still enjoys bowling when he can.  Aside from bowling, Ben particularly enjoys watching movies and his favorite football team, the Jacksonville Jaguars.  But, above all for Ben is his faith: God first, everything else second.  Amen, Ben!

Here are Ben's answers to the profile questions...

Name: Ben Lux

Age: 32

Location: Yalaha, Florida

Reason for Wheelchair Use: Quadriplegia

Onset or Injury Date: 7/4/93 Automobile Accident

Wheelchair Operation Method: Sip n' Puff

High Bowling Score: 183   

Approx Bowling Average: 100-130

Typical Range of Scores: 80-150

Bowling Frequency: Not as often as I'd like.

Bowling Ball(s): Columbia

Quote from Ben: "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds" - Emerson

Thanks Ben!  God bless!

Bill Miller :-)

C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 221 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: Ross Grimball, Louisiana

Ross Grimball emailed me earlier this week wanting some advice on how I pickup the single corner-pin spares (7 and 10, individually).  Ross is a 17-year-old young man who bowls in a youth league, despite using a wheelchair due to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.  I was happy to share my approach on those spares, and I also asked Ross if he would mind filling out the IKAN User Profile questions for my blog, which he kindly did.

Ross' Profile answers are below, but first here's the advice I shared in case anyone else is interested:

To pickup single corner-pin spares, what I try to do is go "cross alley" i.e. I try to setup with my chair & IKAN Bowler in line with the corner pin and the center arrow.   Sometimes I'm not perfectly in line with the center arrow and corner pin, but the key, in my opinion, is to drive straight at the corner pin.  Also, I don't actually look at the arrows as I approach the foul line.  I look at the pin, and kind of with my peripheral vision, I'm also looking at my IKAN Bowler.  When it appears I'm aimed accurately, I hit my brakes and let inertia and gravity takeover.

Great question, thanks Ross, and thanks for the profile answers!

Name: Ross Grimball
Age: 17
Location: Patterson, LA
Reason for Wheelchair Use: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Onset or Injury Date: I was diagnosed in 1996 and I have been wheelchair bound for 9 years.
Wheelchair Operation Method: Joystick
High Bowling Score: 170
Approx Bowling Average: 131
Typical Range of Scores: 100-150
Bowling Frequency: I bowl once a week in a youth league at Charlie's Lanes in Morgan City, LA.
Bowling Ball: Tornado (undrilled)
Quote from Ross: "Bowling allows me to compete and have a feeling of self-achievement."

Excellent quote, Ross, thanks again!

Ross sent me a clip of him bowling:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5D5LOumJTg
 

Bill Miller :-)

C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 221 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

New Record for Female Bowlers with MD

My friend and fellow Central Florida Quad Squad Bowler Peggy Overbey reset her personal bowling record, which also happens to be the dynamic wheelchair bowling record for females with Muscular Dystrophy.

Peggy was somewhat "starting from scratch" because she purchased a new ball, and is/was trying to figure it out at Quad Squad Bowling.

So, it wasn't really surprising that she started off with a 93, but she improved to 114 in her second game.  And she kept the upward momentum going and achieved a 138 in her third game, which is the new record for female bowlers with MD.  She had six marks (all spares) in the game, which means she pretty well earned that 138.

Peggy is doing what I suggest new IKAN Users do -- that is simply try to keep beating your personal best when you bowl.  It's easier said (or written:) than done, but that's how you can demonstrate improvement.  In that way, you're competing with yourself.  (Although it's quite fun to try to beat your friends and/or caregivers too!:)

Dynamic wheelchair bowling is a fun, yet challenging sport, and it's not super easy to get the ball where you want it everytime, or even the vast majority of the time.  I have a ton of experience, and though I've broken 200 ten times, my average is probably about 150.  And some days my average is below 150.

No worries -- it's still fun!  :-)

For "Keys and Tips for Dynamic Wheelchair Bowling" click HERE.

Peggy's new record scoresheet is HERE.

For Peggy's quite impressive first IKAN experience, click HERE.

Keep up the good work Peggy!
 
Bill Miller :-)
C1-2 Quadriplegic with a 221 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