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Physically-challenged athletes keep bouncing back during tennis tournament
Preston Curry has checked option No. 2. He’ll demonstrate his “bouncy” side May 13-15 during the Midlothian Athletic Club Wheelchair Tennis Open. The Midlothian resident, who suffered a spinal-cord injury in 1995 while serving in the U.S. Army, will be among about 20 competitors in the event linked to the Truong Wheelchair Grand Prix Circuit. “I have fun doing it, but the main reason I’m playing in this is for awareness – it’s about being visible,” the 40-year-old said. “I enjoy letting others know what’s out there.” A native of Virginia Beach, Curry went unscathed during combat in Desert Storm (1990-91). It was in more peaceful times, while on duty at Fort Stewart, Ga., that his life was flipped upside down. He recalls that dark day: “Actually, I was asleep at the time, in the back of a Humvee … on a steep hill. We got hit by an 18-wheeler, and I broke my neck.” With a chuckle, he adds: “And I was just getting used to military life.” From that low ebb, Curry began bouncing back during rehabilitation at the Hunter Holmes McGuire Medical Center in Richmond. He has use of his arms and limited use of his legs. “I can walk short distances,” he says, “but my primary means for getting around is the chair.” Since his accident, he has married. He and his wife, Angela, have a 13-year-old daughter, Peyton, who is an accomplished dancer and seventh-grader at Swift Creek Middle School. Curry works at Defense Logistics Agency, off Jefferson Davis Highway, and participates in a wide range of wheelchair sports. Last summer he attended a Paralympics Camp in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he began getting serious about hand cycling. “We went about two miles up Pikes Peak,” he recalled. Then, with another laugh, the friendly former soldier revealed the best part. “Coming down the mountain, we were going 35 miles an hour … Now that was fun.” Curry never played tennis prior to his injury and concedes he has “a long way to go.” He practices at Byrd Park and Huguenot Park with another seated athlete, Bruce Patton (also entered in the MAC tournament). Patton and Curry hone their strokes in a program called Sportable, sponsored by the Richmond Tennis Association. Curry describes his coach, Gary Rudd, as “able-bodied” … what we call ‘A-B.’” A strong athlete with a positive attitude to match it, the upbeat Curry has the talent of making those around him smile and feel good. Spectators attending the MAC Wheelchair Open will see that the tennis ball isn’t all that can bounce. Tennis on wheels What: Midlothian Athletic Club Wheelchair Open, 10800 Center View Drive (formerly Robious), Richmond Friday: Up and Down Doubles, 6:30 p.m., in conjunction with the Run ‘n’ Roll social with silent auction to benefit RTA/ Sportable Wheelchair Tennis; $10 donation Saturday: Competition begins at 8:30 a.m. Sunday: Competition begins at 9 a.m.; also, Paralympics tennis champion and body builder Karin Korb will provide a clinic, 8-9 a.m. Past winners: Among the Wheelchair Open division, returning champs are Melody Curry (no relation to Preston) of Fredericksburg, Billy Eno of Wilmington, N.C., and Lisa Maddux of Baltimore. Attendance: No admission fee for competition. The public is welcome. Call director Shima Grover, 750-1781, for more information. |
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