Sheila Holzworth

Sheila Holzworth (1961[1] – March 29, 2013[2]) was an American para-alpine skier. After going blind at age ten, she went on to win two gold medals and a silver medal at the 1984 Winter Paralympics as part of the United States delegation, among other achievements.

Sheila Holzworth
Medal record
Women's alpine skiing
Representing the  United States
Paralympic Games
1984 Innsbruck Women's Giant Slalom B1
1984 Innsbruck Women's Alpine Combination B1
1984 Innsbruck Women's Downhill B1

Biography

In 1981, the International Year of Disabled Persons, Holzworth was the first blind woman to climb Mount Rainier.[3] She completed the climb as part of a team of people with disabilities.[4]

In 1982, she won a gold medal in the giant slalom and silver in the slalom at the national ski competition hosted by the United States Association of Blind Athletes.[3]

Holzworth won gold medals in two alpine skiing events, Women's Giant Slalom B1 and Women's Alpine Combination B1, at the 1984 Winter Paralympics. In addition, she won a silver medal in Women's Downhill B1. She also competed at the 1988 Winter Paralympics.[5]

She competed and won medals in several other competitions, including the World Cup Championships of Winter Sports for the Disabled in Switzerland and the National Snow Ski Competition and American Blind Water Ski Championships in 1983, and the International Blind Water Ski Competition in Norway in 1984. She also set other records, including a world record in trick water skiing for the blind and disabled in 1989, and being the first sightless person to jump on water skis in the United States.[3]

She won the Ten Outstanding Young Americans award in 1989. She was invited to White House receptions at different times by Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush.[6]

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References
  1. Anderson, Shawn (2010). Extra Mile America: Stories of Inspiration, Possibility and Purpose. p. 110. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  2. Quinn, Rachel Vogel (23 February 2013). "Climb to the Clouds". Civitas: A Journal of the Central College Community. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  3. Glover, Penny (4 February 1992). "Woman doesn't let blindness blocker her". NWI.com. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  4. Pieper, Mary (20 November 2003). "Making things happen". Globe Gazette. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  5. "Sheila Holzworth". International Paralympic Committee. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  6. "Featured: Former sightless athlete Holzworth recognized for Forever Dutch gift". Central College News. 7 November 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
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