Teenage wheelchair tennis player an inspiration
I met a 17-year-old kid from Issaquah who just joined the Issaquah High School boys tennis team.
Chandler Balkman lost his leg in a boating accident last summer so he plays tennis in a wheelchair. The chair is designed for sports use with a fifth wheel in the back to prevent it from tipping over.
Chandler has played tennis since he was a kid, but now he's learning the game all over again...on wheels.
State interscholastic rules allow wheelchair players two bounces of the ball instead of one.
Chandler will compete in doubles against players who are not in wheelchairs.
The guy is amazing.
Comments from our readers
Chan - you are the MAN! Thanks for being such an inspiration! Love you!
Posted by: Mattthew Balkman | September 4, 2007 9:18 AM
Congratulations with being on the news.
Now if you would like to know more about the different wheelchair sports, I know of many groups that can help you. And if you want to look at new wheelchair sports let me know. Besides if you need another wheelchair tennis player, I am happy to help there as well. It is great that you are like some of us and NOT letting your disability get you down !
D Hunt
Disabled Veteran USN
Posted by: D Hunt | September 4, 2007 11:18 AM
Disabled people should play by normal rules while playing non-disable people, or they should just play in a disabled league with modified rules.
Posted by: Joseph | September 5, 2007 11:52 AM
I THINK IT'S WONDERFUL THAT YOU DID NOT LET YOUR ACCIDENT GET IN THE WAY OF YOU LIVING LIFE. AND NOT SO LONG AFTER YOU HAD THE ACCIDENT EITHER. I AM PROUD OF YOU AND WISH KIDS YOUR AGE WILL THINK IF A BOY MY AGE GOT HURT AND IS NOT LETTING THE WHEEL CHAIR GET IN HIS WAY AND THEN MAYBE I CAN DO IT TOO. SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE ARE NOT MOTIVATED ENOUGH TO DO WHAT YOU ARE DOING. I AM PROUD OF YOU. YOU ARE A REAL EXAMPLE TO KIDS YOUR AGE.
Posted by: KATHY MAE | September 5, 2007 11:41 PM