Cheryl Collins finally got to see it for herself.
The national insurance and risk director for Disabled Sports USA was present Saturday for the Chattanooga chapter's annual water sports day at Possum Creek on Chickamauga Lake, and she was amazed despite having known about the event for years.
"We've been talking to Cheryl for 12 years. She's helped us so much on so many things we do," said Debbie Hightower of Sports, Arts and Recreation of Chattanooga. "Then we finally got to meet her at a conference in Atlanta in May."
Hightower and her husband, Jerry, hosted Collins in their home for the weekend.
"They picked me up (at the Chattanooga airport) Thursday morning, and it was on," Collins said with a laugh, talking about all the preparation she witnessed in the next two days.
"The Hightowers definitely are idea people, but they focus on both sides - providing experiences (for the disabled) but also making sure they're safe experiences. They make this one of my favorite chapters."
She's wanted to attend a SPARC water day for people with disabilities in the past, she said, but job responsibilities and "staff depth" at the Rockville, Md., headquarters prevented it.
"I told Debbie a couple of years ago that I am coming one of these years," Collins said.
Despite weather that forced the participants out of the lake for a while Saturday, the registration total reached 225 at the First Lutheran Church camp property.
Collins was impressed by "the absolute commitment" of the Hightowers' horde of volunteers, which comprised most of that total and ensured the safety element - along with the large group of first responders on the shore and nearby on the lake. Those included the Sale Creek Volunteer Fire Department, the Hamilton County STARS (Special Tactics and Rescue Service), Hamilton County Emergency Medical Services and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
"That's community involvement," Collins said. "Whatever needs to be done, everybody seems to do it without a second thought. The love and fellowship is outstanding.
"And to hear the giggles and screams of glee from the (participants) - there's nothing more gratifying than seeing that in person. I've shed more than a few tears today."
One of those giggling and shouting was 8-year-old Sam Calkins of Ringgold, who has prostheses below both knees but admitted to having a "need for speed." He loved his chance to water ski but said he wanted to "go even faster."
"He's an adrenaline junkie," said his mother, Lisa Calkins, who adopted him at 4 1/2 years old from China.
"He was born with lower limb deficiencies," she explained. "He had his right foot amputated before I got him. It was completely upside down. A couple of years ago he had the left foot amputated.
"But he's nonstop. He wants to do anything and everything that is adventurous and fun. He loves baseball. He's been playing the last two years on a regular baseball team."
The Calkinses got involved with SPARC two years ago through its adaptive cycling program, but Saturday was their first time at the water sports day.
William Joel, a 10-year-old Harrison resident who was born with spina bifida, has been taking part since he was 6. He started out with SPARC in wheelchair basketball.
"We do whatever Debbie says to do," his mother, Julianne Joel, joked. "Really, the more we know that Debbie and (Chattanooga therapeutic recreation coordinator) Elaine Adams do, we're there. William's legs don't work, but everything else does, and that doesn't stop him from anything. He learned how to swim last year with Elaine, and we spend a lot of time at the pool.
"It's great for any kid to get the opportunity to water ski, but for a little boy whose legs don't work, it's just awesome. I cry every time he goes out."
Two other first-time skiers Saturday were Cyndi Leach of Dayton, the 2016 Ms. Wheelchair Tennessee first runner-up, and 11-year-old Liberty Barnum of Hixson, the Little Miss Wheelchair Tennessee.
Liberty was hit by a car on Sept. 11, 2012, and was hospitalized the next three months - 28 days in intensive care. She, too, started with SPARC in basketball, about a year ago, but also has done cycling, rock climbing and a paratriathlon clinic.
Why the water skiing, kayaking and tubing Saturday?
"It just seems fun," she said, noting that she was a "test dummy" at the SPARC water training day last month.
"Guinea pig!" Debbie Hightower responded.
Leach, 65, was struck with polio when she was 2. She was able to enjoy some water activities, such as canoeing and sailing, as she grew up, but never skied until Saturday.
"It was awesome," she said.
She learned about SPARC at the Ms. Wheelchair pageant last October in Knoxville and ultimately called Debbie Hightower.
"We really hit it off," said Leach, who tried adaptive cycling but didn't have sufficient upper-body strength. She plans to go snow skiing with the Hightowers and their Knoxville associates in January.
Julianne Joel said the annual event "is not just the sport. It's the family reunion that takes place here. It's just a great fellowship time."
"Helping the community" is behind the first responders' willingness to come back year after year, said Rick Meier of the Sale Creek fire department, which had five guys, two boats and a rescue truck on hand. "I think this is wonderful."
Added Adam Gaither: "We've never had to perform a rescue at one of these events, but we're glad to be here and see what goes on."
STARS chief Clay Ingle emphasized that his team was there in support of Sale Creek's lead role, in the usual cooperative spirit of the county's various emergency groups, and added in praise of the SPARC volunteers: "They've got a good safety system going here."
Sponsors included Pepsi, the Hamilton Place Belk store, the Osborne Foundation, Cici's Pizza and Food City. Joe Thompson from Knoxville again prepared the barbecue for the huge lunch.
Contact Ron Bush at rbush@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6291.