PREMIERE ISSUE

PREMIERE ISSUE
L I V I N G
L O W
girls@
Colours
LOOK, STARE,
GET TO KNOW THEM
go-kart
racing
WAYNE RAINEY ON LIFE
what the
&!*# is with
* ?
spazz
Since it’s introduction, our Tremor all terrain - all weather
wheelchair has really made a rumble throughout the industry.
Due to its continuous rise in sales and our customer’s positive
feedback, Colours has decided to separately feature our Fatso
wheels. Designed to fit on most wheelchairs the “Fatso” wheel
assembly will enable you to take your existing wheelchair and
turn it into an off-road vehicle.
FATS O T I RE
FATS O F E AT U RE D ON TR EMO R
$3.25 U.S.
$5.65 Canada
Printed in USA
05
SEPTEMBER
low explores, examines and exposes life extraordinary from a different perspective.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
Zephyr &Zammer
the great outdoors
titanium vs. aluminum
vietnam veterans of america foundation sets sports in motion
SEPTEMBER 2002
24
REACHING NEW LOW
SPREAD THE SMUT
we need your story
8
25
COVER STORY
WHAT THE @#&!?
SPAZZ
GIRLS@COLOURS
taking a closer look
you know you want it
4
21
TRACK SIDE STORY
RIDES & GADGETS
WAYNE RAINEY
TREMOR
an interview with the champ
the ATV of wheelchair
22
7
ANDY HOUGHTON
A CATCH 22
VVAF: SPORTS FOR LIFE
TITANIUM ANALYZED
sports in motion
titanium vs. aluminum
26
SPIRIT OF THE WIND
20
ZEPHYR / ZAMMER
ultra-lightweight rigid chairs
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
THE HUNT IS ON
gimps that kill to eat
L O W S TA F F
Editor
Congratulations! You have entered the world of LOW.
Mary Box
Are you ready for the adventure? If so follow us through
Art Director
our premiere issue. Warning!!!! If you have a heart
Frank Chi
Entertainment Editor
condition, please contact your physician before
Krista Chamberlain
continuing with LOW. We guarantee at least one of your
Lifestyle Editor
five senses will be affected from its content.
f r o m t h e e dit o r
Sebastian Moore
Managing Editor
This premiere issue has a little bit of everything: women, politics,
sports, titanium, "road kill". Rewind did we say women and titanium.
Titanium implant? LOW is confident that its articles will teach you
something new about women and you will finally learn the dirty little
secrets about titanium.
Over the next few pages you will gravitate to new
Tom Ell
O N T H E CO V ER :
HYDRED MAKABALI
John Box
photography by
TOBY CHI
www.addrenalin.com
MARY BOX e d i t o r
Executive Editor
Photography Director
Toby Chi
Product Director
John Box
levels of courage with Andrew Houghton and
experience the fearless life of Wayne Rainey.
Controversy we love it!!! Check out SPAZZ,
TREMOR, ZEPHYR AND ZAMMER.
Well
enough of the teaser stay tune for the further
adventures of LOW.
Copyright 2002 LOW Inc. LOW is a registered trademark owned by
Low Inc. All rights reserved. Volume 1 is published by Low Inc.
Any reproduction or reprints of the contents of LOW without the
written permission of Low Inc. is prohibited. LOW and Low Inc. will
not be liable for any losses or damages that may be sustained as a
result of information or content provided to any individuals from this
publication or advertisements.
Send advertising, editorial and subscriptions requests to:
LOW, Inc. 1591 S. Sinclair Street, Anaheim, CA92806
phone: 714-978-1440 website: http://www.lowmagazine.com
how far is too far...
September 2002
4
A N
I N T E R V I E W
at the track with
wayne rainey
Wayne Rainey was the top World Championship 500cc
Grand Prix rider of the early 1990s, winning three
consecutive World Championships riding for Yamaha.
Rainey's career as a motorcycle racer came to an abrupt
end when he suffered a crash while leading the Italian Grand
Prix in September of 1993. Rainey did not let his disability
keep him down. He returned to the world championship
circuit as a team owner and manager.
Rainey came back in 1994 and headed up his own GP
racing team, something he did through the 1998 season
when he decided to retire from the rigorous travel schedule
to spend more time with his family in their home in Monterey,
California. Rainey still manages to have fun with speed,
racing a specially designed racing go-kart, a gift from Eddie
Lawson, who is also an avid go-karter.
SOURCE: AMA HALL OF FAME.
http://www.amadirectlink.com/museum/halloffame/members/Rainey/index.asp
WHAT IS THE FOCUS OF YOUR LIFE NOW?
My focus has changed a lot. I have a real strong belief in
Jesus Christ. Which is something that happened to me
out on the racetrack. I believe that I was pretty lucky to
live. So that’s my foundation and that is my strength.
Because as a man as a human being you go up and down
emotionally whether or not you have physical problems.
So I tend to give it to God. That helps me a lot. But I still
am human I still am flesh; I still have struggles like
everybody else. And I found being in a chair you have to
overcome other boundaries. You really have to be strong
mentally. And that in its self is a big challenge. That is a
really positive thing for me.
Seriously, I am out here racing and I cannot feel anything from my chest down,
but yet I am still challenging guys on the track that can feel everything.
WAYNE, YOU WERE AT THE PEAK OF YOUR CAREER AT
THE TIME OF YOUR ACCIDENT-WHAT WENT THROUGH
YOUR MIND?
I pretty much raced all my life and I had my accident in 1993.
So after my accident I went through some adjustment
changes. Yet, I just jumped right back in there. I really did
not have a choice, I had a 2-month-old son. But I was pretty
fortunate to do what I like to do. I was pretty lucky enough
to have it all in my own hands.
WHAT DRIVES YOU?
As far as when I was racing I was pretty much focused on
being world champ. All my energies and all my minutes of
the day went into that one goal. It consumed my life and I
did not even realize there was a world outside of racing. So
that pretty much changed in a matter of seconds. And now
I look back on that and I realize that racing is just a dot. It is
just a little part of my life.
Right now is the big part of my life. I realize now that every
day is much brighter than when I raced. I really did not have
much of a life when I raced bikes because it was always the
same. I knew what was going on every single day I woke up.
Now I kind of take it as it comes. So my son is going to be ten.
He is really into baseball and I really enjoy watching him play.
Above: Yes, it is Mr. "Steady" Eddie Lawson himself giving the
Yamaha 250cc SuperKart a push to start. These hand built
racers are based on GP motorcycle two-stroke engines...they
might sound like lawn mowers, but these high-pitch powerplants
produce around 110 horsepower, just an inch away from the
asphalt. Rainey and Lawson have an incredible crew which
includes Rainey's father Sandy Rainey.
September 2002
6
I dig it. I like having these challenges
and my whole life has been a challenge.
a catch 22
TITANIUM ANALYZED
To get to the starting grid, call Pat or Mack at
P1 Performance: 714-414-0909. 2921 East Miraloma Ave.,
Unit 15, Anaheim, CA 92806. Above: state of the art
Yamaha 250cc kart fitted with hand control.
HOW HAVE YOUR CHALLENGES AFFECTED YOUR LIFE?
I think being in a chair presents a lot of other challenges that most
people don’t even think about. Life is a real challenge every single day
and that for me is OK. I dig it. I like having these challenges and my
whole life has been a challenge. I am used to battling and that is what
I had to do in a race. So I know life’s not easy but I don’t know if it can
get much worse. That is why I do stuff like kart racing.
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO A NEWLY INJURED PERSON?
It definitely takes time and you just have to be patient. There are just
some things that you are not going to be able to do. You just have to
except it and move on. Or you are going to have to do it a little bit
different than you did before. And sure you can get upset. I still get
upset, but what are going to do about it. Are you going to lie in bed and
cry about it all day or are you going to get up and go for it. I always
think just go for it. Seriously, I am out here racing and I cannot feel
anything from my chest down, but yet I am still challenging guys on the
track that can feel everything. So I know my limits. You have to know
your limits. You have to know what you can and cannot do. You have
to know how much to push it and how much let up.
by Victor Martin
Mr. Martin is a superintendent of engineer at Allied Signal
Titanium wheelchairs on the market today can only be
defined as a double-edged sword. You could go even
further by saying it is a “Catch 22” which Webster’s
defines, “from the novel, Catch 22 (1961) by J.Heller, a
paradox in a law, regulation or practice that makes one a
victim of its provisions no matter what one does.”
The aircraft and the subsequently space agencies have
been the movers and shakers of the last century. The
explosion of metal technology gave us those alloys we use
today within the wheelchair industry. Two of which are in
the forefront of design and application today, aircraft
aluminum and aircraft titanium.
WHAT ATTRACTS YOU TO KART RACING?
It is a good outlet. You hit the gas; feel the
speed and the world just escapes you. You
go out there and it is just you and the kart and
pure speed. You don’t even realize that you
just left a wheelchair to get in a racecar. I
love meeting kids out here. Sometimes I feel
that they have an easier time adapting. It
might be a good sport for young kids, but the
secret is it is a better sport for old guys. It
gives them something to do.
Both alloys are used and have been used for years within
the aircraft and space industries. It is to be noted that 95
+ % of materials used on aircrafts is aluminum and the
remaining 5% are various metal alloys including aircraft
titanium.
The writer offers, the following alloy for thought. If titanium
is a metal superior to aluminum why is it not more
extensively used on aircrafts? Please take note that there
are some limited areas that aircraft titanium can offer
improvements over aircraft aluminum where C O S T and
are not de ter min i ng f act ors . However these
areas are rare and varied in nature.
DURABILITY
Aluminum has become a “user friendly” alloy that can, if
needed, be welded, brazed, machined and drilled in most
any shop. On the other hand, aircraft titanium represents
an entirely different picture. It is very delicate and
unforgiving. Furthermore, only the most sophisticated
shops are capable of addressing repairs to this alloy. I do
not recommend titanium for wheelchair frames except
within a marriage with aluminum.
Could it be possible that titanium is being used just as a
“catch” phrase to lure its victims into not seeing its true
character? Titanium wheelchairs on the market today still
cannot claim that they are the lightest within our industry.
Maybe for their manufacturer they are the lightest within
their company’s product lines. But it is a proven fact that
there are lighter rigid aluminum wheelchairs on the market
today that could challenge any manufacturer of titanium
wheelchairs on the issue of weight, durability, and strength.
The next time you are deciding between titanium and aluminum
make sure you are really getting your money’s worth.
The Colours chameleon is very exceptional member of our family.
Many have characterized her as intense, provocative, intelligent
and sensitive. Yet, complexity only adds to her interesting diverse
personality. When you first encounter the chameleon, her
incredible beauty may confuse and distract your senses. Further
conversation may take your mental and emotional psyche to new
levels of intellect and desire.
So who is this incredible “bombshell”? Actually really there is
only one person that could fit this intricate maze of characteristics.
Nicole Parsons is the Colours chameleon and we are amazed and
proud of all her of her accomplishments. Her diverse personality
sometimes could be characterized as a “ball out in left field”, but
her intellect can only be seen as brilliant. The effects of her “jaw
dropping” reactions can only be credited to her witty powerful
disposition. Living each day with “no regrets” allows Nicole to
continue the adventure and “seize the day”.
GIRLS @ COLOURS
Take a good look at this page. Stare if you need to. What is it that you
are exactly looking at? Do you even know? Are you puzzled by the
questions? What are your first thoughts, comment or reactions to what
you see? Is it beauty, innocence, strength, or sensuality? Could it be
possible that you see what we see?
“Beauty of whatever kind, in its supreme development,
invariably excites the sensitive soul to tears.” Edgar Allen Poe.
nicole parsons
September 2002
10
Some days she is a dentist running a
successful practice while other days she is an
erotic model posing for the camera. Keeping
up with Nicole could be difficult for some
individuals while not keeping up with her could
be disappointing for others. She credits
growing up in Northern California as the perfect
backdrop for the development of her persona.
Her father who is also a dentist and her mother
exposed her to many different and diverse
cultures and environments. Nicole credits both
her parents in helping to develop her mind and
giving her the appetite for adventure through
travel. Watercolors, acrylics, and photography
are just a few of the many tools that Nicole uses
to express her thoughts and visions. She has
recently completed illustration on a children’s’
book which she hopes will lead to some new
artistic aspects in her life.
How many of us could list such a diverse group
as Martha Stewart, Dali Lama, Queen
Elizabeth, Mae West, Sir Richard Frances
Burton, Lance Armstrong and Bill Gates as
Dating is another issue that Nicole takes on in
full force. She feels that the older she gets
dating definitely becomes more intimidating
and harder. But if a guy is willing to approach
her now in a wheelchair, she feels that it is
ten times easier to “break the ice” than
before her accident. To Nicole if a guy to be
able to “cross that bridge” and approach a
girl in a wheelchair, it is as if all the skeletons
are out of the closet. And yes she does want
marriage and children, but the timeline
associated with the “clicking of the clock”
does not seem to bother her anymore. She
does not want to compromise her beliefs for
what society might say or think about family
and children.
inspirational personal heroes and role models.
Perseverance and determination are the two
prevalent characteristics that Nicole expresses
during discussion of them. The key is she is
able to stick to her convictions but also is able
to open her mind to any situation. This is why
she loves dentistry, modeling, acting, writing,
photography, reading, traveling and painting.
She longs for the day to be photographed by a
daring and innovative photographer such as
Helmut Newton, David La Chapelle or Chris
Voelker.
For now Nicole has expressed that she
has a sense of peace about her. Not
really knowing where life might take her
towards the future, she one day would
like to own her own production company
and continue her work within the arts and
entertainment industry. Oh and I did I
forget master kayaking.
The least likely characteristic that Nicole
Best Sci-Fi
poses is her addiction to the television and
Scariest Film
movie screen. A self proclaimed “Tevo”
Romantic Film
junky, Nicole’s favorites include, “Six Feet
Funniest Film
Under”, “Sex and the City”, “Farscape”,
“Iron Chef”, “The History Channel”,
Film on War
“Frasier”, “Sponge Bob”,
“Lexx”,
Western Film
“Sopranos”, “American Biographies”,
Worst Film
“West Wing”, “Scrubs”, “Star Trek”, and
Foreign Film
“Futurama” to name just a few. When it Favorite Dental Scene
comes to the movies her close friends will
make it a point to call her first to critique a
film before adventuring out to the theater.
Her choices are as followed:
Blade Runner, Star Wars and the Matrix
Aliens and the Shinning
The Piano and Room with a View
Top Secret, Young Frankenstein, and
Philadelphia Story
Das Boot
Once Upon A Time In The West
Manos the Hand of Fate
Die Apothekerin
Steve Martin
Little Shop of Horrors
Hope Lewellen entered our world by being run over by an airplane
during an average day on the job as an aircraft mechanic. This life
changing event has lead Hope down an interesting path full of new
passions and goals. Not only has she been in two Para Olympics,
Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000, but this year Hope will be
representing the United States on two national teams, World Team
Cup in tennis and Gold Cup in basketball. These are achievements
that only a select few men or women can claim in their life
accomplishments.
kid’s camps and programs all over the United States. At this
particular moment she is helping to establish a Women’s
basketball and tennis programs at the University of Arizona.
The University of Arizona now has six total sports programs for
the disabled, men’s, women’s and junior basketball, Quad
Rugby, Tennis, Track and Road Racing and Goal Ball.
The university’s adaptive athletic programs have a university
paid staff member to help coach and run the programs, but
most of the funds needed are either provided through grants or
private donations. The program supports competitive athletes
as well as recreational athletes. The University of Arizona
sponsored and sent four athletes to participate and represent
the USA during the 2000 Sydney Para Olympics.
Hope
passionately believes in the program enough to enroll in the
University as a student. At the moment she is a linguistics
major, which she hopes will lead to a job in another country.
Traveling, sports, reading and music have all been aspects of
her life that she enjoys. As for the future, Hope would love to
travel more and live in other countries maybe throughout
Europe and Asia. She is especially fond of Japan.
After her accident she started taking flying lessons and still one
day plans on becoming a pilot. As for children, they are a
definite part of her “bigger picture” on life. But finding the right
person to share her life with always seems to be an adventure
for Hope. She claims dating after her accident is easier. This
is due to the fact she is able to meet more women through her
worldwide travels. Now Hope would tell you that her
“prosthesis and chair” are definite “chick magnets”. But it is
her personality and easy going attitude on life that definitely
seals the deal for her.
hope lewellen
Born in England Hydred Makabali is one of four siblings all of
which are girls. And yes they are all beautiful. If you want to check
them out you can see all four sisters in the Colours ad campaign
“Who is challenged, Who isn’t”. As a jester of sisterhood, all four
of the sisters share the same tattoo. It started with ring from a
friend who had traveled to India. After Hydred had the ring pattern
tattooed on her upper arm the tattoo became a family tribal symbol.
Maybe it was its intertwining continual pattern or its simplistic
beauty. But for some odd reason which none of them can explain
the tattoo has touched their lives as a bond between all four of
them. Over the past 10 years since her accident, Hydred claims
that she has developed a peace about herself. She attributes this
to the love and compassion from her family and inner circle of
friends. At the present moment she has two passions. One is
playing the game of pool and the other is finishing her degree in
forensic science. Ranked semi-professional the game of pool
started out originally as just a way to escape the pressures of the
world. “I used it as a reward for myself”, she states. It was an
outlet to relax and meditate after a long day. This innocent
distraction soon lead Hydred to move her way up the ranks within
the WPBA. This past April, she competed in her first professional
tournament. Competing along side of “The Irish Invader, “The
Duchess of Doom” and “The Black Widow” the tournament
became a once in a lifetime opportunity that Hydred could not pass
up. She hopes to continue on the professional tour within the
WPBA, as well as finish her schooling which may lead her into
another new chapter of her life within the FBI or CIA.
To Colours the most unique feature of Hydred is this raw
honest communication that she projects. You could ask
anyone about her undeniable beauty, but what everyone
remembers about Hydred is the energy that she bestows
upon you during a conversation. I know this might sound
strange, but she really listens to you and is never shy about
her truthful responses. Opening oneself up completely to
even a stranger can be a personal risk. Yet this characteristic
of Hydred’s can only be seen as an asset one that has only
enriched her life and the ones lucky enough to experience it.
These unique skills have helped others through her
volunteering at access centers and at kid’s camps.
hydred makabali
Being close to her siblings has helped Hope muddle through any
obstacles that she may have faced during her life. Yet, it is her free
spirit and open mindedness that keeps her fresh and active today. She
claims that after her accident she is more relaxed and is more sensitive
to events around her. It is with her wise “old soul” attitude and logical
presence that allows her to always just “ride the wave” through life.
Sometimes this could attribute to her greatest weakness “never saying
no” especially to women. Hope has volunteered hundreds of hours to
At the moment, the most influential people in her life are
her girlfriend Melissa and her peers at school. To
Hydred they keep her life in perspective and give her the
honest open-minded support that she needs. Her most
unforgettable embarrassing moment happened during a
lecture at school when she not only started her period,
but she also shit her pants and peed all over herself. If
you were to ask her of her strengths, she would claim
communication skills, confidence and compassion. Her
weaknesses are all entwined within one word
“stubborn”. If asked what advice she would pass along
to other individuals. Hydred proclaims, “Love life and
live it up”!
Communication skills are not only in a verbal form for
Hydred. Personal thought provoking journals also
flank her deep thoughts from within her soul. These
amazing journals have taken Hydred through conflicts
and tribulations that many of us lock up in our minds
and throw away the keys. They are “true treasures”
to Hydred and if they were lost one day would she be
scared or upset that someone would find them? No
actually to find a personal journal is like hitting the
lottery to her. How amazing it would be to be able
unfold that persons life even if it was hers. In fact she
has one ongoing journal that she has kept with a close
friend since 1996. They have sent it back and forth
for years now writing excerpts about their lives not
knowing if one day the US Postal Service might lose
their precious journal.
w w w. c o l o u r s w h e e l c h a i r. c o m
September 2002
16
Over the past years, it could be said that Alycia
Busciglio has “grown up” with Colours. She has been
with us practically from the beginning and has
contributed vastly to our inner family core. And she has
successfully accomplished many goals in her life
single-handedly. It was not until the time of her birth
that her parents even knew she existed. Born a twin
her parents thought they were having only one child,
but to their surprise Alycia found her way into their
lives. She has continually surprised all of us with her
bright open attitude and courageous gift to make her
life complete. At this particular moment, she is living
year around in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Working
full time as a waitress at Chevy’s Mexican Restaurant
and completing her AA degree. Next year she is
planning on transferring to a university and completing
her degree in recreation therapy. She loves going to
live funky bluegrass concerts and her favorite band is
the Big Wu. But it is the love of her family especially
her father that has kept her on the right track
throughout her life.
autianya pascqua
How do you describe a true blessing that has been bestowed upon the earth? One, who asks for very
little, but gives everything she has within her heart and soul. Keep reading and you will discover in her
words what makes this remarkable woman a true blessing in disguise.
Do angels on earth exist! Have you ever met one? Well, now you are about to. We give you Autianya, which happens
to mean (Auti) sister (anya) angel. That she is. Her close friends seem to think so too. They describe her joy, peace,
determination, creativity, strength, and divinely unique. This heaven sent being was born with the middle name Christina,
which means Christ in Me! Coincidence you ask. Read the rest and you decide.
alycia busciglio
In her spare time Alycia loves to go hiking on the rough trails
throughout South Lake Tahoe, kayaking on the lake and mono
skiing in the winter. Being resourceful she has learned to sew
clothing that actual fits her. And she also loves reading
biographies and creating objects of desire through the art of
ceramics. Yet, it is through her volunteering that she finds her
greatest pleasures. Growing up in Southern California Alycia
found herself donating time at sports camps and recently in
South Lake Tahoe she has lectured at her college about
diversity and equality. She believes all of this has helped her
community as well as helped herself to grow and learn new
aspects about life.
But amazing enough we also believe the coolest part of Alycia
is that she is a definite thrill seeker. It is a semi-secret side of
Alycia’s personality that she does not always reveal. When
you first met her your first impressions and thoughts are of a
quiet maybe passive individual. Yet as time goes by, she
opens up into a courageous out-spoken woman that is not shy
about letting you know how she feels.
When asked to define the word pity Alycia responded in the
following statement.
“People feel pity when they are uneducated about something.
Or maybe people feel pity to make themselves feel better. I
don’t want any one to feel pity for me. I am so happy to have
been chosen to live my life from a wheelchair. The challenge
everyday is exciting to me. Most people will never be able to
understand how I can feel this way. I have had so many
amazing experiences because I live my life from a chair. I
would not use any wishes on wanting to walk. Hopefully one
day the question of what is pity will no longer be.”
God gave this strong spirit to a bi-racial couple. Her
mother is decent German & English; her father is Peruvian
Indian and Mexican. Talk about a combination burrito. Little
did she know that this world would judge her harshly
because of it? She was always trying to find a place to fit
in, but was neither White nor Latin enough for cruel kids.
Therefore, she found herself becoming a loner to find the
gift that God had blessed upon her, the gift of dance.
Having extremely young parents, Christina had a rough up
bringing. She grew up in a gang-infested neighborhood
and her parents did the best they could to make it
comfortable. However, sometimes even the household was
just as uncomfortable. There were different kinds of abuse
occurring behind closed doors. That is when dancing
became the focal point in her life.
Autianya left home at the age of 18 to begin a dance
career. Little did she know that it would all come to a stop
when an aggressive man forced her to marry him? She
went through severe abuse and even raped by her own
husband. It was just like the movies “Sleeping with the
Enemy” and “ What’s love got to do with it?” Life became
a nightmare.
Finally, after his attempt at murdering her, she found
someone that would save her life, her boss, which
happens to be the owner of the famous Trashy Lingerie.
He gave her a place to stay when her family had disowned
her and would not have anything to do with helping her.
Because of a hit on her life, she changed her name for
protection purposes. She used a name that she picked out
for her child that was miscarried caused by her husband’s
abuse.
A few months went by and Autianya found herself dancing
again. This time, her gift took her on Tour with Rap Artists
and even took her all the way to the Grammy’s. She ended
up dancing for the likes of N.W.A., LL Cool J, Bobby
Brown, Kid & Play, the late Eazy E and several other wellknown artists.
How do you consider this person a living Angel on earth,
you ask. Keep reading. One year after becoming a well-
known dance choreographer, Autianya joined the first all
Latin female Hip-Hop group. When she returned from New
York’s Grammy performance with LL Cool J, she got news
of the group receiving a major recording deal. Next was
signing the contracts and they would be on their way to
Stardom.
On Sunday, May 3, 1992, Autianya went to church to pay
respect to her Heavenly Father asking for forgiveness,
guidance and courage. She asked, “ Lord, please help me
with my career. I want to be different and stand out. I want
you to use me as a vessel to touch your children.” What
happened next is tragedy to others, but a miracle to her.
On her journey home alone, she was jam’n to her group
Demo in the car. She was traveling north bound on the
famous Hollywood freeway. Suddenly a car hit the front
end of her left bumper, causing her vehicle to spin out of
control. Her car then hit the center divider head on and
the impact caused a broken back, a severed spinal
cord and internal bleeding. When she came to, she
found it difficult to breath and began to gasp for air.
Without success, Autianya lost the battle and
experienced the unknown. She states, “I felt
these two warm strong hands, pull me out of my
body while I kept on saying, I didn’t get to say
good-bye to anyone, repeatedly.” When
suddenly I heard this voice answer, It’s ok my
child, I’m giving you what you asked for. I
have prepared you for this day and I know
that your spirit is strong. You will
encounter several trials, but you will
overcome them all to become the One
I have Chosen!” “Next thing I know I
was released back into my body to
find the paramedics fighting to keep
me alive. When I woke up in the
hospital, I found that I could no
longer feel my legs and the Dr.
told me that I would never
walk or dance again.”
September 2002
18
Indeed, Autianya encountered many trials afterwards, but
overcame them all. Today’s report is that she is an
awesome performer who can dance her wheels off.
She has developed a non-profit organization geared
towards troubled youth, using performing arts
as a tool to reach and keep them from the
streets or harming themselves. The name
of her organization is “Save a Soul
Foundation”. She also collaborated with
an Occupational Therapist to start a
Performing Arts Program at the famous
Rancho Los Amigos. Their first
successful show was on Dec.6 2002 that
landed them an article in the LA Times.
They dedicated it to the families and the lost
lives of the New York tragedy.
I guess we could keep going on, but she says that
you have to go see her movie, “My Feet Keep Dancing” to
get more details. It is coming very soon. Maybe one day you
will run into your angel on earth. We know we did.
During any spare time that Autianya may have, she loves working with
children. With her non-profit “Save the Soul Foundation”, she hopes
to further the development of programs for troubled youths. When
Autianya forwards advice to one of the youths in her program or
just anybody on the street she proclaims, “learn to love yourself
and you will find God within”. So far in her life, this motto along
with the comforts from her guardian angel has allowed her to
become a true survivor.
So you be the judge and jury. Ask yourself
could it have been possible that you saw
what we had seen? Were you even
close? Or is it overwhelming that
those initial images still haunt your
mind? Is it crazy to believe that
their undaunted power could
imprint various memories
into
your
individual
psyches? Beauty in its
most profound form will
capture and affect
your inner soul.
In October 2002 Autianya will be competing in the World
Championship of Performing Arts. This invitation only
competition is held yearly and consists of actors, dancers,
musicians and vocalists from around the world. This
prestigious competition has been compared to the Olympics.
Autianya will be competing in the categories of dance, acting,
modeling and vocal. Hopefully this competition will open up
new opportunities for her in the near future.
Nadia van den Brink and her dancing partner Dennis
are competitive wheelchair dancers. Ranked second
in the Netherlands and fourth in the world Nadia is
sponsored by TNS and Mario Bezouw in the
Netherlands. Not only does she dance but Nadia also
works full time and does public awareness and
motivational speaking throughout the Netherlands. In
the 21 years she has been in a wheelchair, Nadia
claims that her Colours Zephyr is "the first chair that
fits me like a glove." And now to Nadia her "selfesteem is priceless!"
nadia van den brink
Right after readjusting and learning how to adapt to her new
lifestyle, Autianya began to host her own Music Video Show
named “N-Motion”. The show was extremely successful and she
interviewed several well-known entertainers. She seemed
unstoppable until her Mother’s illness slowed her down. Cancer
would then claim the life of her best friend, her Mom.
Like a faceted gemstone what lies behind ones
beauty may never be experienced unless one is
willing to expose their inner flaws. It takes unique
individuals to realize and believe in themselves
enough to open up their inner sanctuary. The
women of Colours have this inner beauty within
each of them. It is this fueling force that has
given them the strength to find their own unique
paths through the unpredictable journey of life.
Autiayna, Alycia, Hydred, Hope, Nadia and Nicole
all are unique women that have helped Colours to
express different views of life. From Nicole’s
famous provocative pose to Autiayna’s views on
spousal abuse, the women of Colours hope to
make a difference in your world.
September 2002
20
Want to get started or just continue what you used
to do? Go to Chad Waligura’s website – Follow Me
Outdoors – and check it out. In his own words,
"This site is devoted to forging a new path to the
mighty outside. Disabled recreation is an obscure
but growing sport, so come follow me as I show you
the way to fun in the field".
The URL is
http//users.ev1.net/~chada/
Happy Hunting
Tom Ell an avid hunter
P.S. Thanks to Mike Box (the genius of
Colours) for opening up this world for
me. As he says, "If it flies, it dies".
GETTING REAL LOW
TREMOR
THEHUNTISON
THE GREAT OUTDOORS NOTHING LIKE IT
Hunting for the disabled is a rather obscure sport. Although you don’t hear
about it as much as other sports it is really quite large. I guess gimps that like
to kill things (to eat, of course) really don’t want to advertise.
I could go into a lot of details here but that’s all available on a website I’ll talk about later.
There are two key factors that make hunting an enjoyable experience. First is your hunting
partner(s). The better they understand what’s possible for you and what’s not (and that’s
not much) the better experience you will have. Second is a good outdoor chair makes all
the difference. It is almost the opposite of a good everyday chair. Fat tires, fat casters and
a stable frame are going to give you the most independence. Remember, when you fire that
rifle or shotgun you really don’t want to end up on your back. Don’t worry if you can’t hold
the gun or pull the trigger, there is stuff available to take care of that.
Close your eyes and dream of the sounds of rippling waves and
scents of ocean breezes that are enticing your every sense to
become a part of its world. Now could you ever imagine being
able to maneuver yourself through the sand and down to the
ocean water? Well Colours ‘N Motion can with our new Tremor
all terrain wheelchair not only can you push yourself easily down
to the ocean, lake or river but you will be able to move
independently freely through any type of sand, mud, snow or off
road surface.
Most wheelchair users in the past needed assistance or
struggled maneuvering at the beach, desert or on trails. With
regular manual wheelchairs it felt like pushing through quick
sand. Yet with the Colours ‘N Motion Tremor you will feel like you
are pushing down the beach boardwalk or paved mountain
roads. With the rugged “ultra-lightweight” wheelchair frame,
large custom rear Fatso wheels and total wheelchair adjustability
this wheelchair can make life incredibly more enjoyable when you
are traveling on any all terrain surface.
With the Tremor’s stylish new frame design and our custom Fatso
rear wheel assembly you will look good in any all terrain setting
you chose. Once again Colours ‘N Motion has made some of
life’s simplest pleasures like going down to the ocean or traveling
through the snow fully independent for wheelchair users. So go
ahead! If you love to camp,
go to the beach or be in the
snow, the Tremor
wheelchair will
take you where
you want to go.
RIDS & GADGETS
For More Information about these
products, call Colours In Motion:
1-800-892-8998 (toll free, US only)
or 1-714-978-1440 Visit their website at
http://www.colourswheelchair.com
D'S LOCK are hub locks for manual
wheelchairs. They take the place of either
Push-Pull or Scissors style brakes currently
offered. D's Locks work independently of the
tire by locking the wheel at the hub.
Tire types and air pressure no longer
matter. Your wheels can be locked
securely in place, regardless of tire
condition. Because D's Locks lock at the
hub, they are the answer to suspension
chairs. They mount completely out of the
way, so thumbs stay intact.
Additionally, the brakes are no longer the
widest part of the chair. D's Locks add no
width to the chair, and wheels can be
taken on and off with the locks engaged.
D's Locks can be self-installed in usually
less than an hour, with no special tools.
• Reduce Back Spasms
• Reduce Back Pain
• Reduce Pressure Sores
INCREASE YOUR VITALITY!
September 2002
For more information, please email sportsforlife@vi.org or see http://www.vvaf.org.
22
Taking Sports for Life Around the World.
In the coming months, VVAF plans to expand
Sports for Life into countries in Africa and Asia
where VVAF currently runs rehabilitation programs.
Sports for Life will support the development of
activities at the therapeutic, recreational, and
competitive levels in each of these locations. VVAF
will also assist its partners with advocacy and
awareness-raising, using sports as a vehicle for
promoting rights and reconciliation, as well as
rehabilitation, well-being, and fun. In May 2002, a
VVAF assessment team, including consultant
Andrew Houghton, visited disability and sports
organizations and government representatives in
southern, central, and northern Vietnam to gauge
the possibilities for developing a Sports for Life
VVAF
project there. The team found that there are
numerous barriers preventing people from participating in sports and recreational activities, but
groups throughout the country expressed an
overwhelming interest in moving past those
barriers. Sports for Life will attempt to find ways to
help them do this. In Angola and Ethiopia, VVAF
staff members are building relationships with local
disability and sports organizations and exploring
avenues for developing sports-related programs.
Ultimately, VVAF intends to gather together the
information and experience it gains in these many
corners of the world to create models and
materials that may be used by others to promote
sport, integration, and reconciliation.
sports
for
life
SETS
A N D R E W
IN MOTION
H O U G H T O N
The Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation (VVAF) has
launched an exciting new initiative called Sports for Life.
VVAF was founded over twenty years ago by a visionary
group of American veterans who decided to transform
their experience of war into a mission of peace building
and healing. They devoted themselves and VVAF to
assisting civilian victims of conflict and tackling issues of
injustice. Today, VVAF works in seven countries around
the world running innovative rehabilitation, education, and
advocacy programs. Building on the strengths of its
existing activities in Kosovo and Cambodia, VVAF plans to
go global with its sports and recreation programs for
people with disabilities in war-affected countries and to
further develop the use of sports as a tool for reconciliation and peace building.
Kosovo: Building Community Through Sports. Since
the spring of 1999, when the war in Kosovo ended, the
province’s citizens have been working hard to rebuild their
homes and their lives. However, much work remains to be
done in order to bring unity and peace to Kosovo’s
communities. This is reflected by the fact that many people
with disabilities continue to be sheltered and treated as mere
social welfare cases, while members of some minority groups
can only leave their villages under the protection of military
escorts. Through its programs, VVAF is encouraging the
recognition and integration of all of Kosovo’s citizens.
In 2001, VVAF employed program development specialist and
wheelchair athlete, Andrew Houghton, to initiate VVAF’s
disability sports and recreation activities in Kosovo. Houghton
discovered a great deal of interest in sports throughout the
province, but found that most groups did not have the
equipment, training, or information that they needed to develop
meaningful programs. For example, eighty athletes expressed
a desire to compete in wheelchair basketball, but only twenty
sports chairs could be found in the whole province.
Furthermore, rules for the game did not exist in local
languages. So, VVAF translated rules and began providing
sports equipment to local groups and schools.
VVAF also learned that many people, disabled and nondisabled alike, had never been exposed to disability sports
activities and therefore lacked an understanding of what was
possible. Houghton observed that "many people didn’t even
want to try, but after one went out and started to play, the
others followed. It’s typical—people never know what it will be
like until they get out there and participate." With this in mind,
Houghton organized three wheelchair tennis clinics; facilitated
recreational activities for youth; and brought together disability
organizations, the Department of Sport, the Kosova Olympic
Committee and the tennis and basketball federations to
organize a major disability sports and recreation exhibition.
After this event, the sponsors signed a joint proclamation
declaring their commitment to developing disability sports and
recreation programming in Kosovo.
In May 2002, VVAF kicked off a new comprehensive sports
program in Kosovo, building on the groundbreaking work done
by Houghton. Through this new initiative, VVAF is organizing
sports and recreation activities that bring people with
disabilities together with able-bodied participants and that
unify people from a variety of ethnic communities torn apart by
conflict. VVAF conducts sports clinics and tournaments to
introduce participants to new activities and develop their skills
and confidence. At the same time, VVAF is
helping local disability organizations to form
Disability Sports Advisory Committees by
providing training and equipment. These groups
will be responsible for implementing activities in
their respective regions throughout Kosovo.
Down the road, VVAF hopes that the groups will
move beyond sports to address other issues of
concern to them, such as education,
employment, health and social services, and
political rights. Ultimately, if there is to be real
and lasting change in Kosovo, it is Kosovo’s
citizens who will themselves have to create it.
VVAF’s Sports for Life program is providing
people with the tools and opportunities they will
need to engage in this process.
Cambodia: Changing Attitudes, Changing
Lives. In Cambodia, traditional belief maintains
that disability is a sign of bad karma—in other
words, people "earn" their disabilities by
misbehaving in a previous life. Such beliefs are
reinforced by pervasive images of people with
disabilities facing extreme hardship, like the
many who circulate through city streets begging
for small change. For the past two years,
though, Cambodia’s standing volleyball team
has been turning its society’s notions of disability
upside down.
RIMS
All rims are
predrilled to
accept 6 tab
handrims.
EVERYDAY
HUBS
Narrow
(Everyday)
custom made
CNC machined
alloy hubs.
In 2000, with sponsorship from VVAF, the team
realized its dream of participating in the
Paralympic Games. Although Cambodia won
only one match in Sydney, the exposure to elite
international competition proved extremely
powerful, whetting the players’ appetites for
more. In 2001, VVAF secured sponsorship from
Cathay Pacific, DragonAir, Czech Air, Otto
Bock, the German and Australian governments,
and singer-songwriter Nanci Griffith, enabling
the Cambodian to travel to the World Cup
Games in Slovakia. There, the team showed
marked improvement, narrowly losing the battle
for the bronze medal. Now the players are back
at home training hard for the 2002 FESPIC
Games and demonstrating their talents in
competitions around Cambodia, recently
placing fourth against non-disabled teams in a
prestigious national tournament.
The efforts of the volleyballers are having a great
impact on Cambodian society, as well as the
lives of individual players. Cambodian are taking
pride in the achievements of their team, while
young people with disabilities are finding new
role models to emulate. What is more, the
players are showing an unprecedented sense of
self-confidence. The team’s coordinator, Chris
Minko, has noted that "some of the players have
been seen strutting through the streets of Phnom
Penh wearing shorts and showing off their
prostheses," a scene that would have been unimaginable in Cambodia just two short years ago.
In June and July of 2002, VVAF coordinated the
first-ever national league competition for people
with disabilities. Eight volleyball teams from
around Cambodia traveled to Phnom Penh to
participate. The first year of the league proved
to be a resounding success. Particularly
exciting was the zeal with which former national
team players set out to recruit and train new
team members. Local businesses, government
leaders, and media organizations also threw
their support behind the effort, reflecting a
significant change in attitude toward athletes
with disabilities, and people with disabilities, in
general. At the end of the league competition, a
selection competition was held and a new
national team was identified to play in the
upcoming Far East Asian (FESPIC) games in
October 2002 in Busan, Korea. This newest
team is determined to add a gold medal to the
long list of remarkable achievements
Cambodia’s
volleyballers have
already
established.
Sports for Life
Contact: Sarah C. Warren Program Development Officer
Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation
1725 Eye Street, NW Fourth Floor
Washington, DC 20006-2412
Phone: 202.483.9222 Fax: 202.483.9312
email: sportsforlife@vi.org http://www. v v a f. o r g
FUTURE COLUMN
SPOKES
PBO is the
strongest and
lightest spoke
material
available.
HOW
For more information call
Colours In Motion
1-800-892-8998 (Toll Free)
1-714-978-1440 (Direct)
or Visit http://www.colourswheelchair.com
SPREAD THE SMUT
w w w. c o l o u r s w h e e l c h a i r. c o m
You may ask yourself why would a disabled owned
wheelchair company call their new wheelchair SPAZZ?
Do words like non-sensitive, vulgar, obscene, or repulsive
go through your mind when you first hear this word
SPAZZ. Wake up! Are you living in the Stone Age? The
word SPAZZ has for years been known as something or
someone that is cool. Webster’s defines cool [slang] as
“very good, pleasing, etc.; excellent.” Furthermore
SPAZZ could even be considered eccentric, nonconforming, free-spirited, or independent.
Whatever your views are on this small FIVE
LETTER WORD Colours challenges you to
think deeper. Why are words or actions
today labeled negative? Do you even know
who make up these rules? Maybe if we all
could just think beyond the three letter, four
letter, five letter and even six letter words
our society would become a better
environment. Does that sound too far
fetched to you? Well consider it just takes
the actions of one person to help make a
change. That person could be you!!!!
SPAZZ
Y OU K NO W Y OU WAN T IT.
Wouldn’t it be great if we could get back to a simpler way of life? A less complicated world filled with user-friendly
wheelchairs. Stop dreaming and climb aboard the Spazz.
Colours ‘N Motion Spazz offers you the
style, versatility and adjustability you need in
your first wheelchair. With its simple design
and clean lines not only will you look good in
your Spazz but also your maneuverability
will be unsurpassed.
The main “rigid” axle tube gives you an
increased rigidity and support within your
wheelchair frame. Match this up with a
middle frame contour and you will never
have to worry about hitting your steering
wheel or your chest again when loading the
Spazz into your car.
Many therapists insist that their newly injured patients sit at higher rear
seat heights. With the Spazz your rear seat height adjustability is
endless. Colours has done this by incorporated optional height
adjustment plates into the design of the Spazz.
The Spazz also comes standard with 0 to 6 degrees of camber and
height adjustable and angle adjustable backrest and footrest. And if this
was enough the Spazz also features our fully adjustable caster housing
assemblies. This unique feature comes standard on the majority of the
Colours ‘N Motion’s wheelchairs. With the Colours caster housing
assembly you will be to perfectly align the front end of your wheelchair
even while completely changing the front caster position. This will
enhance the performance of your wheelchair and in the end make it
easier to push and control.
IN NEXT ISSUE...
low WOULD YOU GO
to be in LOW magazine?
Do you have a dirty little secret, gossip, incriminating evidence?
Send us your stories, ideas, pictures, or videos.
Who knows maybe you will make the next cover story
for LOW’s "SPREAD THE SMUT".
email us: howlow@lowmagazine.com
M ISS EXOT IC TRO P IC
Get ready girls and boys Miss Exotic Tropic will be
coming soon to the www.colourswheelchair.com
website. Girls be prepared to send in your best
centerfold swimsuit shots. You will determine the
winners of this online voting contest.
Send tape, pictures and bio to:
low, Inc.
1591 S. Sinclair Street
Anaheim, CA92806
Photos and video will not be returned.
September 2002
26
C R E ATIVE PLAY G R O U N D
ZEPHYR
ZAMMER
The west wind is Greek mythology
for the god Zephyrus. Zephyr is
synopsis with the wind. Ironically
the Colours Zephyr wheelchair was
named by our burst of spirited wind
and energy. Robin Hyack Box was
the creative force behind the naming
and the man who artistically creates
the Zephyr wheelchair. She will
always remain in our thoughts and
souls for her “in your face attitude.”
Her perseverance “to never quite
until the end” will never be forgotten
at Colours. This is only amplified by
the overwhelming sales and
demand for the Zephyr wheelchair.
The latest release “The Zephyr
Song” by the Red Hot Chili Peppers
helps us to epitomize her in our
minds and reminds us that you
cannot take life for granted.
Remember to live each day to the
fullest it might be your last.
The Zephyr and Zammer are conceptually unique wheelchairs that
are exclusively made in the USA by Colours ‘N Motion. With their
unprecedented form fitting design and unsurpassed remarkable fit,
the Zephyr and Zammer are truly a one of a kind creation that can
not be matched by any other manufacturer. This wheelchair is not
for virgin first time wheelchair users. Do you dance, play basketball,
football, softball, rugby, hockey or tennis? You pick your sport the
Zephyr or Zammer is waiting for you.
And if weight is an issue the Zephyr is
the lightest on the market today. At
14.5lbs (including rear wheels) Colours
has taken many challenges with other
manufacturers wheelchairs and has
continually won. Some manufacturers
will not even advertise the weight of their
wheelchairs. They just use marketing
words like “lightest” hoping you will take
their bait. Wouldn’t you rather have a
company behind you like Colours?
Colours ‘N Motion from the start has
always stood by our line of wheelchair
products. There is really no one else in
our industry today that will stand by their
products like we do. If you purchase
one of our wheelchairs you are instantly
lifetime member of our family. Our
lifetime warrantee on all of our rigid parts
seems to give our customers the
assurance and confidence they need in
their wheelchairs.
This is true
“Customer Service”.
Zephyr and Zammer are two key words
in the vocabulary of serious athletes.
From their ultra-lightweight rigid design
to their unique custom construction,
these two wheelchairs are only for the
elite athletes who know how to win. Not
surprisingly, Colours is hammered daily
by athletes who feel that they need a
Zephyr or Zammer to take them to the
next level of their sport. But it is almost
ironic that an athlete must pass the
Colours test in order to be lucky enough
to have one of these chairs built
exclusively for them. If you think you can
pass the test call Colours at 800-8928998. The challenge awaits you!!!
Once Forbidden, Then Forgiven...
Individuality takes hold...
Uniqueness, a way of seeing the world...
Visions, outside the ordinary, create thoughts oblivious to millions...
As extra ordinary becomes ordinary and stout is humbled,
six foot one becomes three foot nine
What was once is no more...
Is now strength from the wreckage.
I would change no more...
Passion is love, passion is life, passion is for the living...
LIVE
BODY & SOUL