Anaheim : Medal Winner to Join Discussion on Recreation

Phil Ramsey is a winner of 19 gold medals. He also is disabled.

The Anaheim resident wants to help other physically disabled people feel like winners. Today, he and the recreation staff of Anaheim are inviting disabled residents to discuss recreation and social activities for a new program at the city’s Therapeutic Recreation Center.

The program, which the staff at the center hopes to begin this summer, would include field trips to sporting events and theater productions, as well as barbecues and guest speakers at the center, therapeutic recreation specialist Teri Bunger said.

A meeting to organize a committee to work with the recreation staff will begin at 7:30 tonight at the Brookhurst Community Center, 2271 Crescent Ave.

Tonight’s organizational meeting will feature Ramsey, winner of four gold medals for wheelchair basketball and 15 gold medals for swimming in international competition among handicapped athletes.

“Networking can be a positive result from the relationships created through support groups,” Ramsey said. “Only other disabled people understand the everyday living problems of the disabled. Living can be easier if you have another person to bounce ideas off.”