Local Athlete World Dreams

There's a big fundraiser this weekend for Stephanie Jallen. She wants to go to Russia to compete as a Paralympic skiier. She's 14-years-old. Talk about talented. Hopefully, it her abilities get her there and it's not for lack of funding.

"Stephanie, 14, of Harding, was born with CHILD syndrome, a rare birth defect for which the formal name is congenital hemidysplasia with ichthyosiform erythroderma and limb defects. The disorder, which almost always impacts females, causes underdevelopment on one side of the body, as well as painful rashes and problems with limbs on the affected side.

Stephanie's left leg was amputated at birth. Her left arm is underdeveloped, ending in one finger where most people have an elbow.

Using one ski and a specially adapted ski pole, she can ski down mountains at speeds so fast it takes 50 yards to come to a complete stop.

In 3½ years, she hopes to represent the U.S. in the Sochi, Russia, Paralympic Games, a competition for visually or physically disabled athletes held in conjunction with the Olympic Games.

The qualification process will probably take four years. The travel and equipment involved are expensive; on Saturday, an antique car show and auction in Scranton will benefit the Stephanie Jallen Paralympic Fund.

Each year, training, travel and competitions require $35,000 to $50,000, said Jim Gaughan, a board member of the Stephanie Jallen Paralympics Fund, which raises money to help offset the cost.

NEPA Antique Classic Car Show and Auction
When: Saturday, Sept. 11 (Rain date: Sept. 12)
Where: 860 N. Keyser Ave., Scranton
What: Live music, vendors, food, games, door prizes, car show (people's choice), car corral, sale of antique cars
Registration: 8 a.m.-noon (free T-shirt for first 250 registered)
Judging: Noon-2 p.m.
Awards: 3 p.m.
All proceeds benefit Stephanie Jallen Paralympic Fund
For more information: www.stephaniejallen.org

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/paralympic-skier-aims-for-russia-1.996445