Kirk Bauer of Ellicott City, Maryland - For the past 23 years, Mr. Bauer has served as the Executive Director of Disabled Sports USA (DS/USA). Under his watch DS/USA has grown into the nation’s largest sports and recreation organization for physically disabled individuals with more than 80 chapters nationwide and serving 60,000 people annually. Mr. Bauer established the first nationwide fitness program for disabled individuals (Fitness Is For Everyone) and the first nationwide ski instructor training and certification program for instructors seeking expertise on disabled skiing.
Mr. Bauer knows first hand the benefits of sports in the rehabilitation process. As a noncommissioned officer in the U.S. Army, he lost a leg in Vietnam in 1969. He was twice awarded the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal with Valor Device, and a Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat. While undergoing rehabilitation upon his return to the States, Mr. Bauer was introduced to skiing by some fellow Vietnam Veterans. He realized success on the slopes and was selected as a member of the U.S. Disabled Ski Team. He was one of the first disabled ski instructors to be fully certified by the Professional Ski Instructors of America. Mr. Bauer was selected as the recipient of the 1998 Gene Autry Courage Award. He continues to be regularly active in skiing, running, biking, hiking, and swimming. In 2000 he won the Boston Marathon Mobility Impaired class.
