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Helping the handicapped – Hayden, ID business, Center for Assistive Recreational Technology (CART) opens the outdoors to those with needs

Miles Moore takes particular pleasure in the success of his new business.

After almost a decade of helping handicapped individuals share the joy of outdoor activities, he opened CART http://www.sail-s.com/ , an acronym for Center for Assistive Recreational Technology, this year.

By RICK THOMAS
Staff writer

http://www.cdapress.com/articles/2004/06/30/business/bus01.txt

"It was a longtime dream to be a Hobie Cat dealer," he said. "My dad was a dealer in the ’70s until a rich guy bought him out, then did nothing with it."

Since 1996 Moore has run SAIL, or Self Awareness in Leisure, a nonprofit sailing, cycling, cross-country skiing and recreational therapy organization while employed with the Idaho Department of Vocational Rehabilitation.

"It just worked out," said Moore. "This is better than sitting behind a desk. That’s not what I wanted to do for the rest of my life."

Now Moore sells Hobie Cats and other sailboats and cycles, including models specially designed for use by the handicapped.

From kayaks and tiny 7 1/2-foot Snark sailboats to 27-foot Catalina yachts, Moore’s motto is "Recreation for Everybody."

His lineup of recumbent and stepper bikes, so called because they’re powered by stepping rather than pedaling, joins the Pedal Coupe four-wheel bikes, popular in the winter, in his inventory, and he’s the exclusive dealer in the Pacific Northwest for some models.

They’re proving popular, and Moore is encouraging interest by sponsoring biking events throughout the area.

His interest in helping the handicapped began as a child, when he was dyslexic and attended special education classes.

Later he developed knee problems, and in 1992 went deaf.

A couple operations restored his hearing, but he still has a special affinity for others with special recreational needs.

His bicycle technician is Scott Bailey, who suffered spinal cord injuries and the loss of both legs.

Jeff Paul, who also can’t walk, is Moore’s customer service representative.

Moore’s wife, Corine, is the accountant at the business.

Some of the bikes and boats Moore sells perform as well or better than their traditional counterparts because they use leg muscles rather than upper body strength, he said.

"There is much more muscle mass in the legs," said Moore.

A kayak powered by fins will keep up with some sailboats, and with some adaptive bikes used for road racing riders "get a nosebleed they go so fast."

CART is open at 11401 Government Way in Hayden from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Information: 762-7110

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