Paddling for a Purpose

Shortly after graduation, senior Hector Manley will be embarking on a kayak journey down the Mississippi River. Many have kayaked the river before, but what sets Manley apart is that he is raising money for charity. Beginning in Duluth, Minnesota in May 2012, one of his goals is to reach Saint Louis for the fourth of July. The total trip is approximately 100 days, 2,700 miles.

His voyage, Paddling for a Purpose, will raise money for the Wheelchair Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project. “I’ve heard it’s the greatest experience of your life to give something to people who could otherwise not move around; to give them that peace of mind and mobility,” Manley said.

Born in El Salvador, Manley endured losing his legs in a 2001 earthquake. He was 11-years-old. Americans Don and Karen Manley were on the board of trustees at the hospital he was sent to. They brought him to their home in Ohio, where he was fitted with prosthetic legs, and later made the decision to adopt him. “Coming to the States was like being a baby again. I had to learn how to talk and walk as well,” he said.

Manley excelled in his new environment. He gained recognition for learning English so quickly. Not only did he learn to walk, but as a high school Freshman he made the Varsity golf team. When his parents moved to Naples, Fla., Manley founded the golf team at his new school, Seacrest Country Day. During his senior year he was awarded the Key to the City of Naples for his contribution to the community and overcoming obstacles.

Manley has been kayaking at UT to endure the 8 to 10 hour sessions he will do on the Mississippi. He keeps his kayaks at the Boathouse on campus.

“I plan on doing it probably four times a week for one to four hours,” he explained. Often, he can be seen out with the crew team at 6:30 a.m. Manley welcomes anyone who wants to kayak with him.

“The weather is the unknown variable. I’ll try very hard to stick with a schedule,” he said. “I’m giving myself an extra day or so to make it up.”

Don Manley will be on the river beside him in a boat. Karen will join the pair often, as will Don’s father, Larry Manley.

Sponsors such as the Rotary Club will help Manley raise money for his causes. Anyone can make a donation toward his efforts. One hundred percent of the money raised will go to the charities

“I want to help people in other parts of the world,” he explained. He looks forward to personally distributing the wheelchairs anywhere in the world.

In El Salvador, prosthetics are not as advanced. In the U.S., Manley recovered after seven months, and said that, “If I had stayed in El Salvador I wouldn’t be able to. Here, if someone loses an arm or a leg they’re expected to be walking again. In other countries if you lose an arm or a leg, the opportunities are very limited.” Wheelchairs are the best option of mobility for many third world countries.

His other cause, the Wounded Warrior Project, is for our American veterans. “I can relate to a lot of what they have to go through, rehab and therapy; it’s a long difficult process,” Manley said. “Patriotism is very important to me, I want to help our servicemen and women. I am thankful for all that they do for us.”

He also plans to have fun along the journey. “The trip will include fishing, which I’m excited about. One of my goals in life is to play golf in all fifty states, so I’ll have the golf clubs with me,” he said. He spoke enthusiastically about stopping in small river towns and meeting new people. The details of his trip will be part of the autobiography he plans to write beginning in January 2012.

Paddling for a Purpose gives Manley the chance to help others the way he was helped before. His finish line is New Orleans on Labor Day Weekend.

“I want as many kayaks out there as possible finishing with me,” Manley said with a grin. “I want there to be hundreds of kayaks.”