Always Climb Higher

by Jeff C Pagels

Overview

Story of the comeback from a devastating spinal cord injury in 1984 to Jeff Pagels and how he came back to be the fastest USA Nordic Disabled Skier in the world and then abandoned competition against others to just compete with himself by climbing mountains and other extreme outdoor pursuits.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781499592504
Publisher:	CreateSpace Publishing
Publication date:	07/25/2014
Pages:	184
Product dimensions:	5.98(w) x 9.02(h) x 0.39(d)

About the Author

Jeff Pagels received a B.S. degree in Wildlife Management from U.W. at Steven Point in 1970 and a M.S. degree in Public Environmental Administration from U.W. Green Bay in 1986. Before coming to work for the Wisconsin DNR in 1976, he served with VISTA, (Domestic Peace Corps) in Michigan's U.P. and then was employed by the Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development District in Escanaba, MI. He has spent his entire professional career working to improve park and recreation opportunities at the federal, state and most importantly, the local level. He retired in June of 2004 after more than 30 ears as Local Government Outreach Team Leader in the DNR's Northeast Region where he annually carried a workload of almost 200 active grant projects, which ranged from small local playground projects to multi-million dollar harbors of refuge for recreational boaters.

Prior to 1984, Jeff was a top-notch able-bodied athlete. In College, he was an All-American Swimmer. As a teenager and into his thirties, he was a top ranked canoe and kayak racer having won many marathon races all over the United States. He also completed the prestigious 55-mile Birke Cross Country Ski Race 6 times as well as many triathlons.

Jeff Pagels received his label, disabled, in 1984 when a tree fell on him. A wheelchair user since then, he has gone on to become the USA's most decorated cross-country skier with 5 Paralympic medals. In 1995, Jeff turned to competing with himself rather than beating up on other people. His venue is all outdoors including many of the highest places in this world. He is always trying to go deeper into the woods and climbing higher. Jeff spends much of his time helping others to challenge themselves in the outdoors while enjoying his retirement much of the time in his 16 foot Lund Fishing Boat.