Turning Point - Paraplegics On Independent Nature Trips

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Turning Point – Paraplegics On Independent Nature Trips

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Turning Point - Paraplegics On Independent Nature Trips

Turning Point sponsors a wide variety of activities. The annual “Extravaganza” at Bachman Lake in Dallas since 1990 introduces people to activities and adaptive equipment for scuba diving, fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, archery, hunting, water-skiing, sailing, hand cycling, air rifles and camping. This day of fun is also a day of learning, and camaraderie. The Extravaganza sets the stage for other activities during the year.

Adventure and training events are scheduled to continue participation in each of the activities of the Extravaganza providing the opportunity to stay engaged and continue to develop their abilities, build more confidence and relish in the essence of being outdoors.

Turning POINT (Paraplegics On Independent Nature Trips) was founded in 1979 by Michael “Shorty” Powers. After an injury at age 17 left Shorty without the use of his legs, he began looking for opportunities to become involved in the outdoor recreational activities that he had always loved. He found no organized activities that were available to people who had major mobility impairments. Not willing to give up his love of fishing, kayaking, scuba diving and hunting.

Shorty established Turning POINT to assure that outdoor actvities were readily available to people with many types of physical challenges. Turning POINT is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization designed to teach people with mobility impairments the skills necessary to fully enjoy the outdoors, and to provide free or low cost activities.

Turning POINT provides the encouragement and support needed for people who have major physcial challengnes in life to fully participate in the adventure of living.

Our mission is to develop self-esteem and confidence in the physically challenged population through participation in adapted outdoor activities

Activities

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Adaptive Shooting

Para Shooting has been part of the Paralympic Games since Toronto, Canada in 1976 and currently is being practiced in over 75 countries. Air Rifle and Pistol shooting is a test of skill and mental discipline, in which competitors use pneumatic rifles and pistols to fire a series of shots at a paper target. Competitions…

Archery is a versatile activity. It is something that can be done for fun, for hunting, or for competition. “Target shooting wasn’t a thing for me,” said US Para Archery Head Coach Jonathan Clemins. “But I realized I enjoyed shooting my bow as much as I enjoyed hunting.” In addition, archery can be a year-round…

There is a lot to the sport – more than numbers on the scoreboard, the human side to this is a very powerful experience and I think all the para-athletes can appreciate that they are working to help each other. It brings countries and people together in a marvelous way.Jan Whitaker, President of Paralympic Sport…

Rain, sleet, snow, or hail … it seems that no matter the weather, you can always see a cyclist biking for pleasure, on an errand, or keeping fit. The love of bike riding is rapidly growing across nearly every demographic. Cycling has always been a great way to enjoy the outdoors, socialize with fellow bikers,…

Flyfishing made a real big difference in my recovery and helped flip that switch from thinking about negative things to positive things. There is a lot of peace and a lot of connecting with nature involved with fishing. – David Folkerts, Chief Operations Officer of Project Healing Waters Fishing 101 Photo Credits: Matt Romero,…

When you go skiing, you need to find a mountain and cold weather. You don’t need anything special to start kayaking. Kayaking is just down the road. -Joe Mornini, Executive Director of Team River Runner Getting Started Looking to spend a quiet afternoon enjoying the outdoors and scenery? Perhaps you’re more of a thrill…

Downhill is for those who want the rush. It’s high-speed and exhilarating. – Sandy Olney Mountain Biking 101 Rollin’ Down the Mountain If you like nurturing your independence, appreciate the outdoors and enjoy an adrenalin rush, then downhill mountain biking may be the sport for you. Downhill mountain biking is exactly what the…

I have always been a competitive athlete and I enjoy that aspect of sailing. It’s not about who is the strongest, but who can think the best. It’s a three dimensional game of chess that is going on and the chess board is always changing. Water is never the same because of currents and the…

Water Skiing 101 Ride the Wake! There is nothing like spending a warm summer day by the water. But water-skiers will tell you that even better is a day spent water skiing along on the surface of the water with the wind in their hair. Don’t think because you have a disability that you can’t…