Brian Meier and Fenton Parke needed sweatshirts to brave the cold Wednesday, despite the 90-degree weather.

Both said the cold feeling was worth it to say they could finally ice skate.

Wednesday was the first time Parke had ever been at an ice rink, and it was only the second time for Meier. His first time was just last week.

Meier and Parke, both clients of NOWCAP Services, were some of the first people to test the Casper Ice Arena's new ice sleds.

"I had fun until I fell and almost broke my arm," Parke said. "They're OK, but I'm sure I'll be feeling it tomorrow."

Ice sleds allow people with disabilities to ice skate, said Lisa Hulshizer, organizational development coordinator at NOWCAP.

They are particularly good for people with physical disabilities, but also work for people with developmental disabilities like Meier and Parke have. Hulshizer said people with developmental disabilities often lack the balance and coordination needed to ice skate standing up.

To ice sled, people sit on a seat connected to a skate blade and maneuver around with the help of mini hockey sticks that also have blades on them.

Casper Ice Arena officials recently purchased its first two ice sleds with funds donated by NOWCAP.

Meier tried the ice sled for the first time last week, so he was able to skate with ease and even hit a puck.

"Yeah," he yelled every time he connected with the puck. A smile followed shortly after each hit.

Parke struggled a bit more, but it was his first time.

Stephen "Blu" McGrath, supervisor at the rink, helped Parke into his sled, buckled him in tight and told him, "Use your arms and use your scooter."

After a few minutes, Parke seemed to move around OK, but then his sled tipped over for the first of many times.

Veteran Meier came to Parke's rescue. He maneuvered his sled until he was right next to Parke's and said, "C'mon buddy," instructing him on how to use the hockey sticks to move.

"I was having fun once Brian told me how to use the sticks like rowing," Parke said. "We were going to race to the wall, but I just turned around."

NOWCAP donated $1,300 for two sleds, Hulshizer said, to help those with disabilities participate in recreation.

"Access to a lot of things is always a barrier to people with disabilities," Hulshizer said. "Any way we can lift some of those barriers and open doors, we would like to do it."

Carolyn Griffith, city recreational superintendent, suggested the ice sleds. The ice rink had already made the rink more accessible to those with disabilities.

"There are a lot of athletes in Casper who are bound to a wheelchair and would like to be able to compete in something like this," Griffith said.

The ice sleds are available to anyone in the community who wants to use them.

"If someone with a disability wanted to go skating, they couldn't," Hulshizer said.

Now they can.

Contact health reporter Allison Rupp at (307) 266-0534 or allison.rupp@trib.com.