The 2009 No Barriers Festival at Shake-a-Leg Miami was even more inspiring and exciting than I could have imagined!  There were so many wonderful people with incredible stories that I don't even know where to start.  It was great to see all these people, companies, and organizations working together to able the disabled, and make their lives more fun!      

Through sports (like sailing, kayaking, scuba diving, paddleboarding, handcycling, fencing, rowing, swimming, climbing, and more) people were finding out that they could do more than they thought. 

10 year old James is a bubble of happy energy. Even though he is missing both of his legs and an arm, I hardly saw him without a smile on his face.  James sailed all by himself thanks to this joystick-controlled electronic dinghy. 

His twin sister, Hanna, climbed that wall about fifteen times and kept on trying until she reached the top. No Barriers is for everybody.  The message is universal.

Handcycles are totally the new bicycles. 

Another friend I made was Lydia, 25, who was in a tragic car accident a few years ago that left her unable to walk.  Besides having a blast on the handcycle, she was happy to be around other disabled people her own age. (You also might recognize her as one of the backup dancer's in Rose Falcon's music video, "UP UP UP")  

Swimming with the Dolphins! It was almost a sad story because the first day, as everyone was about to get in the pool, it started storming, (hurricane style).  Luckily, they rescheduled for the next day, which turned out to be sunny & gorgeous.  

As promised, Molly the Pony!! Apparently she loves having lots of kids around her because they are small like she is.  

The City of Miami Parks & Recreation Department hosted the adaptive fencing. 

There are two tiny eco-islands of the coast of Shake-a-Leg.  We took a boat out there and I watched as people swam, kayaked, and paddleboarded. (There was even a dog on a paddleboard!) 

(photos by Debbie Attias; To check out more of my pictures from this fantastic event, check out my set on flickr.)

This event went so great thanks to the help and participation of so many people, like the Mayor, who spoke at the opening ceremony. (photo courtesy of Shake-a-Leg)

and 17 year old Lateefah Dooling, who sang at the opening ceremony (photo courtesy of Shake-a-Leg) 

Also, stay tuned for the VIDEO!