Augustan blazing trail as an adaptive athlete

Alan Washington's life changed on Oct. 27, 1987.

A large crate fell on his back as he was working on a Navy cargo ship in San Diego, and it broke his 10th and 11th vertebra. The accident left the Augusta man paralyzed from the waist down.

What took away the use of his legs, however, could not take away his spirit.

Washington, now 42, has become heavily involved in adaptive athletics, mainly basketball and tennis, over the past several years.

He is a member of the Augusta Blazing Bulldogs wheelchair basketball team, which competed in the National Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Denver in March.

His most memorable moment from the trip, he said, didn't come on the basketball court, but from another sport he hadn't enjoyed in 22 years.

"It was the skiing," Washington said. "That was great. It was the first time I ever went skiing with my wife."

Though he certainly enjoys basketball, Washington is most passionate about -- and perhaps even better at -- tennis.

"What I like about tennis is it's outdoors," Washington said. "Plus, you get to play against able-bodied players whereas in basketball, you have to put them in a wheelchair to play."

About five years ago, he began attending adaptive tennis courses through Walton Rehabilitation, where he met instructor and now good friend, Donald Shapiro.

Washington is one of a handful of paraplegic players that meet with Shapiro, who is also wheelchair-bound, each Monday at The Club at Raes Creek for the clinic.

When the class isn't going on, Washington and Shapiro can still be found at the courts, even in 100-degree heat.

"We come out here at least five days a week, sometimes even seven," Shapiro said.

The two even team up on Wednesday nights in a mixed-doubles league where they compete against able-bodied players.

"Alan, we're good buddies, good friends. We've helped each other get through a lot. He's great," Shapiro said.

"Donald and my wife, Kathy, are my biggest motivators," Washington said.

"They have always been very important to me.

On his own, Washington has played in several regional events, finishing as high as second place.

For his accomplishments, Washington was nominated for the GAMES (Greater Augusta Medals for Excellence in Sports) award for Adaptive Athlete.

He won bronze behind gold medalist Lantz Lamback and silver medalist Scott Winkler, who also plays for the Blazing Bulldogs.

Of all the things Washington would still like to do on the tennis court, one goal stands out.

"I want to beat Donald one day," he said.

Reach Joey Jones at (706) 823-3304 or joey.jones@augustachronicle.com.