THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 26, 1995 TAG: 9503240152
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Rebecca Myers
LENGTH: Long : 102 lines
After a 1986 accident rendered Raul Pernites a paraplegic, one of his first thoughts was: ``What kind of sports will I be able to go back to?''
``I've always been competitive,'' said Pernites, an avid surfer before a diving accident broke his spine. ``I never competed in a contest, but I always strove to do my best.''
A friend suggested Pernites try table tennis. That was nine years ago. Today, Pernites is ranked third in the nation in his class.
``You get classed by your disability, your level of injury,'' said Pernites, a recreational therapist at Manning Convalescent Home.
Other than that, though, the sport is no different for the disabled than it is for able-bodied players.
``It's just as competitive,'' said Pernites, who uses one hand to play and the other hand for balance. The wheelchair, he said, never moves. Pernites' range of motion comes from his upper body and arms.
In less than two weeks, Pernites, 29, hopes to travel to Austria to compete in the Eighth International Table Tennis Tournament for Wheelchair Athletes. The Virginia Beach resident, however, is about $500 shy of his goal of $1,477, which covers the cost of air fare, hotel accommodations, coaches' salaries, etc.
More than 100 athletes from around the world - 12 from the United States - will compete in the tournament.
``For me to compete in this international tournament means I will earn world-ranking points,'' he said.
``Being a world-ranked player would afford me the one requirement necessary to be invited to play in the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta, held immediately following the Olympics.''
Only the top 12 table tennis wheelchair athletes in the world will be accepted to play in the Paralympic Games, said Pernites, ``so I have to do really well.''
In preparation for next month's competition, Pernites has been practicing three hours a day twice a week with his teammates from the Virginia Beach Sun Wheelers. Two other group members were selected to represent the United States in other international tournaments but had to decline.
In addition to table tennis, Pernites participates in track and field, tennis and rugby with the Sun Wheelers.
A 1984 graduate of Green Run High School, Pernites received a degree in recreational and leisure services from Radford University in 1993. He has worked at Manning Convalescent Home for about a year.
If Pernites raises the money he needs, he will leave for Austria on April 5 and return April 12. The tournament, slated for April 8-9, will be held in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. Pernites will compete in both singles and doubles.
To help Pernites meet his goal, tax-deductible donations can be made to the Virginia Beach Sun Wheelers, c/o Manning Convalescent Home, P.O. Box 175, Portsmouth, Va. 23705.
In a letter seeking support from sponsors, Pernites writes: ``I will guarantee you that I will give my personal best in representing the USA.''
Name: Raul Refuerzo Pernites
Nickname: Sugar Man
Number of years in Portsmouth: One year working in Portsmouth
Birthplace: Santa Maria, Ilocus Sur, Philippines
Birthdate: Jan. 8, 1966
Occupation: Certified therapeutic recreation specialist
What other job than your own would you like? Head my own rehabilitation hospital - CEO or administrator
Marital status: Single
Fondest childhood memory: Family road trip from Virginia Beach to San Francisco
First concert: Journey at Scope in 1978
What song or book title best describes your life? Elton John's ``I Believe''
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? Beach home along the waters of Jamaica or the Virgin Islands
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Paul Reiser. I would love to work side-by-side with Helen Hunt on ``Mad About You.''
Biggest accomplishment: Graduating with a B.S. from Radford University; being initiated into brotherhood with Sigma Chi Fraternity; three silver medals in field events at 1994 National Championships; third-place in table tennis at 1994 National Championships; and being asked to represent the USA in Austria in table tennis.
Most embarrassing moment: Female friend jumped on my lap to hug me, knocking me off my wheelchair in front of 100 people at a bar
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My impatience
Perfect way to spend the day: Hanging out with good friends, cooking out with burgers and hot dogs on the grill
I can't resist: Oysters and Corona beer
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: Scale O'De Whale
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: Portside
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Crime
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be? Cleaner living environment, more law enforcement, programs for the needy
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about working in Portsmouth? Centralized location ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARK MITCHELL
by CNB