Danell Libby was the only female member of the 2006 U.S. Paralympic Wheelchair Curling Team.

Libby, who took up wheelchair curling in 2002, was honored in the female category based on her team spirit at the 2006 Paralympics, which were held March 11-19. Also honored were alpine skier Andy Parr (Rockland, Maine) and the 2006 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team.

"I was very surprised that I received this award, but truly honored," said Libby, 38, a mother of one son, Jeffrey. "Whenever I have competed in these sorts of competitions - Nationals, Worlds, and now the Paralympics - I have always been inspired by the other competitors. I seem to always be in awe of their dedication and the barriers that they have broke to get where they are. I  have never stopped to look at myself in this manner.

"Receiving this award has made me take a moment and think about this," Libby went on. "And now looking back and seeing that for the past four years I have done whatever it has taken to reach the Paralympics by traveling, sacrificing time with my family, taking a cut in pay at work, and practicing three to four times a week...it feels really good to have made Team USA, and that others recognized my dedication."

The U.S. Olympic Spirit Awards history began in 1968, when it was created by the U.S. Olympic Committee to honor the extraordinary achievements of the United States' athletes. In 2000, the award was expanded to include the U.S. Paralympic Spirit Award, recognizing the excellence and efforts of athletes with physical disabilities.

Libby, who works as at statewide systems advocate network coordinator for the New York Association on Independent Living, has represented the U.S. at two world championships (2002, 2004) and was the only female member of the wheelchair curling team at the 2006 Parlaympics, where the team finished 2-5.

"I can't thank those enough who voted for me and felt that I was deserving and that I showed true 'spirit' of the games," Libby said. "I felt very proud to be representing the U.S. I was also very proud to be representing curling for the first time as a Paralympic sport, and am look forward to watching it grow."

The winners will be honored at a U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team celebration dinner on May 16 in Washington D.C. DHL is the Official Express Delivery and Logistics Provider of the 2006 United States Olympic and Paralympic Teams. DHL will provide a grant of $5,000 on behalf of each of the winners to a qualified Paralympic-related non-profit organization of their choice.

"The $5,000 I will be giving to Sitrin in Utica, N.Y., with no question," Libby said. The Charles T. Sitrin Health Care Center has been extremely supportive of the U.S. wheelchair curling teams, physically, financially and emotionally. "They have been so instrumental in developing wheelchair curling in New York and also supporting and getting people with disabilities interested in many other sports," said Libby. "They have done a tremendous job in reconnecting people back into their communities through sports, and I couldn't think of a more deserving non-profit organization to receive this money."

Libby also is active in wheelchair basketball and tennis and was named Ms. Wheelchair for the State of Maine in 2004.