Do We Have To Make

Money On Everything?

To the Editor:

We have been Newtown residents since 1982. Our two sons have been raised in this town and though both are away at college; this town is their home. Our eldest, Alex, happens to be blind. We are grateful to a community that has been supportive of the challenges and adaptations that Alex’s disability presents over the years. However, the community has also had the unique experience of being exposed to many learning experiences from him as well. Alex was the first blind, Braille reading student to go through the Newtown school system. Alex was the first student with a guide dog attending the high school. Alex was also the first blind Newtown student to participate in Leaps of Faith Disabled Water ski Club,

At age 10, Alex was put in touch with Joel Zeisler who had recently formed a water ski club for the blind out of his home on Lake Zoar. For over 11 years, Alex has both enjoyed and excelled at a sport that would have otherwise been inaccessible to him. Due to the guidance, instruction, and diligence of Joel Zeisler and the hundreds of volunteers (many of them town residents), he experiences a sport that has added to his confidence, agility, satisfaction, self-esteem and, quite simply as Alex puts it, “the sheer thrill of speed on water.” It is a sport he will enjoy for life. As a Newtown resident, he is entitled to use the lake for this sport just as any other able bodied resident would be.

However, recently, the Lake Zoar Authority is trying to initiate certain fees and regulations that could put a stumbling block in not only Alex’s enjoyment of the lake, but to the physically challenged population who now take advantage of this sport through Leaps of Faith.

In the last few weeks, many letters have appeared on behalf of physically challenged adults and children who now consider this club “their second chance.” If you get the opportunity to volunteer or simply come and observe a ski clinic (and I encourage it), not only will you find blind skiers, but amputees, paralyzed skiers (many disabled veterans) in special adaptive ski chairs and other physically challenged children and adults having the time of their lives.

Newtown should be proud that Mr Zeisler has afforded this town the opportunity to be on the forefront of this unique teaching experience and this town has received much positive publicity over the years via newspaper articles and national television human interest stories, including the Today Show and most recently Fox 61 News just this past September.

To the Lake Zoar Authority, though I understand these are tough economic times, they are for everyone — individuals and nonprofits alike. Do we have to make money off of everything we do? What happened to doing something simply because it is the right thing to do? November 4 is not only Election Day, but also the next scheduled meeting of the Lake Zoar Authority. To them I say, “Suck it up” and move on to other important issues that I’m sure also require your time and talent!

Gerri Snow

22 North Branch Road, Newtown                             October 27, 2008