THE SIDELINES : Abbott Cited as Example to Disabled

California Angels one-handed pitcher Jim Abbott was among the recipients of the 1989 National Rehabilitation Week awards announced today.

Allied Services, sponsor of the awards, cited Abbott for his achievements in sports and said his example inspires others with disabilities. The awards will be presented during National Rehabilitation Week, Sept. 17 to 23. Each carries a $1,000 donation by Allied to a charity of the recipient’s choice.

Other sports figures among the 1989 winners include former Miami Dolphins player Nick Buonicanti and his son, Marc, for their work in spinal cord injury treatment and rehabilitation, and Rick Hansen, a paraplegic who was cited for his 25,000-mile, globe-circling trek in a wheelchair.