Thursday, June 20, 2002

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Amputees in Action in El Paso, Texas

We were welcomed in El Paso by the gracious generosity of Arturo Alvarez who provided rooms in his luxurious TravelLodge Airport Hacienda.  His motel was a welcome relief by providing a shady oasis in downtown El Paso.  The jacuzzi in each room certainly soothed our aching bones and muscles after our ride across the New Mexico desert.

After a good night's sleep and a wonderful breakfast, we spent a day of camaraderie and fellowship with the amputees of the El Paso amputee support group named Amputees in Action.  We renewed friendships with those who met us at Eloy for our skydive.  Ralph Fowler and his group were beyond enthusiastic and we happily spent the day attending gait analysis sessions and getting to know each other and sharing common experiences.  

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After a wonderful dinner hosted by Ralph and Arturo, we felt a special kinship with these energetic and dynamic group of amputees.  We also shared a meal with Pearla Bustamantes, a para-olympian ak cyclist from Mexico. This was one group of people who have a great zest for living and we felt honored to have spent some time with them. Unfortunately, we would have to leave this garden paradise for West Texas.  Pearla and Ralph along with Don Holmberg (their support driver) graciously agreed to ride with us out of town.

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