Rowing for the cure
Rowing with Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) electrodes was developed by British biomechanical engineer Brian Andrews (right). One of his first paraplegic rowers was Robin Gibbons, rowing here for the Queen of England. Gibbons' muscular legs inspired Dave Estrada to dedicate himself to the sport. "The physical benefits [of rowing] are immense, but I don't believe they're as big as the psychological benefits," says Gibbons. "After a spinal cord injury, everybody has to go through the process of trying to find self-worth again."