NOT E S F ROM T H E F IELD
RAFY IBARRA: SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTING THE LIVES OF OTHERS Written by: ROSA WALSTON LATIMER
Rafy Ibarra, ATP, CRTS®, with National Seating & Mobility, brings everything you would expect from an experienced ATP to his work: product knowledge, training, experience, empathy and understanding. However, Ibarra takes the “understanding” part to a much higher level. This exceptional, extroverted ATP with over 30 years of experience in the industry not only serves those who depend on Complex Rehab Technology (CRT) for mobility and independence, but he also shares that life with them. Ibarra has used a wheelchair for almost 40 years. “I had polio at a young age, and I’ve grown up with my disability,” Ibarra said. “My family was living in Mexico, and I was 1 ½ years old when it hit me. So most of my life, I have walked on crutches and with braces, and I have been around other individuals with disabilities. I learned to adapt early on because I had to.” Ibarra's family moved to the United States when he was six. “At some time in the late 1970s, I was given a wheelchair, an old E&J. It was heavy and bulky. It was too hard to use, so I kept using my crutches and braces. I didn’t bother with a wheelchair except when I participated in wheelchair sports. At that time, I played basketball and tried a little bit of tennis.” Ibarra's friends encouraged him to try wheelchair racing as a young adult. Always the consummate competitor, he eagerly took the challenge. “Of course, wheelchairs had greatly improved,” he said. “They were lighter and more customized. I jumped in one, started practicing and participated in the California games in 1983. I ended up doing quite well in the 100 meters and was hooked! The National Wheelchair Games were going to be in Honolulu the next year, and I said, ‘Sign me up!’ I had a QUICKIE I only used for sports but would still argue I could walk with my crutches and didn’t need a wheelchair for everyday living. As I got to know the guys participating in wheelchair games and became comfortable in that arena, they would give me a hard time about being slow on my crutches. They complained someone else always had to carry my gear and strongly encouraged me to get into my sports chair.”
one. My mom was sad the first time I came home in a wheelchair. She thought I would be dependent on someone to push me and lose my independence; however, she quickly understood the benefit.” Ibarra shares his story with many of clients when he senses apprehension. “I tell them I didn’t want to be in a chair, but I tried it and soon I was getting from point A to point B more quickly. I wasn’t worried about falling. When it rains, I’m not worried about slipping. I quickly realized how the wheelchair could greatly improve my quality of life.” While completing his degree at California State University in Fresno, California, Ibarra enjoyed success in wheelchair racing. “My four-year degree took six years because I was traveling and competing,” he said. “During this time, I made the top 10 in the United States in wheelchair racing and was on both the 1984 and 1988 Paralympic teams. These were fun times for me!” Through his success in wheelchair racing, Ibarra worked with some of the industry's pioneers. “Early mentors of mine were Marilyn Hamilton, Wayne Kunishige and Marty Ball. QUICKIE sponsored me, but that was very limited in those
At this point in his life, Ibarra was like many of the clients he serves today. “I was still resistant to using a wheelchair except for sports,” he said. “No one wakes up one day and says, ‘I can’t wait to get my first wheelchair,’ but life happens. I tell my clients even though I was walking with crutches and braces and falling all the time, I didn’t want to be in a wheelchair. My family didn’t encourage me to use Rafy Ibarra with his aircross bow. This photo was taken following his “Robin Hood” shot, meaning he split the previous arrow with this shot.
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DIRECTIONS 2022.2
