Isabel Bohn
Contributor | 2024
School Name: Philadelphia Adaptive Rowing
After a streetcar accident that led to the amputation of her left
leg above the knee, Isabel Bohn sought to create her own
opportunities in sport. She would become the first adaptive
athlete to compete at the Dad Vail Regatta and the World Rowing
Championships. In addition to rowing, Isabel completed in
four New York City Marathons and she became the very first
PSIA-certified disabled ski instructor in Pennsylvania.
As the driving force behind Philadelphia Adapted Rowing, the
first adapted rowing program in the U.S and worldwide, Isabel
set a precedent that would ripple across national and international
waters. In 1996, she founded the Pennsylvania Center for
Adaptive Sports (PCAS), making sports accessible for individuals
with disabilities in Philadelphia, PA and has served as the
organization’s chairperson for several years.
As a member of FISA’s first adapted commission, she was a
driving force in broadening the reach of rowing globally.
Isabel was also instrumental in the acceptance of rowing into
the Paralympics.
Isabel also served on the US Rowing Adaptive Committee from 2000 to 2007. Since then, US Rowing
has an award named the Isabel Bohn Award, and is given to a person who has excelled in
achievement in adaptive rowing, for their volunteerism.
