By Joanne Bauman

No Barriers, Beyond the Barriers, and Wheels of Fire are videos in which Mark Wellman and other outdoor adventurers with disabilities demonstrate that where there is motivation to achieve a goal, there is a way.

Wellman, a former park ranger paralyzed from the waist down in a climbing accident, has a national reputation as a multi-sport athlete and motivational speaker. He and his collaborators have developed and adapted custom equipment to challenge the mountains, oceans, and skies. Climbing in Utah, Wellman is joined by Eric Weihenmayer, who has been blind since the age of 13. The climbing leader is Hugh Herr, who uses and custom-builds prosthetic legs and feet for various types of climbing. Sailing across the Canadian waters of the English Bay is Larry Boden, who independently controls his sailboat by use of a sip, bite, and puff method. Other footage includes surfing in Hawaii, scuba diving with the sea lions in La Paz, Mexico, and hang-gliding the Pacific winds of Northern California.

As Wellman says, "Wilderness adventure took my legs. But what it gave back was far more important ... the sharp edge of risk, the power of teamwork, and a life full of challenge and joy." Beyond the Barriers also includes 15 minutes of artistically created music videos by disabled musicians Van Gogh and Jason Becker.

Everyone does not desire to be a competitive athlete, to push the outermost limits, or to be an outdoor adventurer. The important message is that with a little flexibility, creativity, and determination, people with varying disabilities can find new and sometimes different ways to reach their fitness and recreation goals.

No Barriers, Beyond the Barriers, and Wheels of Fire retail for $29.95 each and are available from No Limits. More information at http://www.ncpad.org/672/2892/2002-12-01