SPORTS UNLIMITED

By Golda Turner

 

Do you have a loved one with any type of special need? Whether their disabilities are physical, intellectual, or behavioral, it makes locating interesting and inclusive activities a bit more challenging. You have had more than your share of hearing “Why am I always left behind? Why can she go but I can’t?”

 

You may be surprised to learn that no matter what their disability, there are adaptations that can bring the joy of sports activities alive for them, too. There are adaptations available for sports as diverse as skiing, boating, climbing, cycling, archery, horseback riding, and more.

 

There are a number of organizations whose motto is “You dream it, we can make it happen”. Working with local sports venues, their expertise and adaptive equipment helps make the impossible happen. Their goal is to make people believe in themselves, to feel that “If I can do this, I can do anything!”

 

Here are a couple of these national groups that bring smiles to so many faces. Contact them for information on your local chapters.

 

Disabled Sports USA---(301-217-0960 www.disabledsportsusa.org) Their 120 chapters in 40 states offer over 50 types of adapted sports.

 

Special Olympics---(800-700-8585 www.specialolympics.org) With chapters all over the world, they bring the transformative power of athletics to people with developmental disabilities. There are programs for young children as well as adult competitive sports opportunities. 

 

Do you yearn to see your loved one enjoy winter or summer fun in the sun? Many local groups provide adaptive sports opportunities for the mobility impaired, blind, and developmentally disabled. Some run special programs, while others provide adaptations by request.

 

Following are just a sampling of the many opportunities available for a safe, fun experience:

 

New England Disabled Sports---(603-745-9333 www.nedisabledsports.org) Based in Loon Mountain and Bretton Woods ski areas of New Hampshire,  they enable the disabled to enjoy all winter sports, as well as kayaking, cycling, hiking, waterskiing, and more.

 

Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sports---(802-786-4991  www.vermontadaptive.org) Serving disabled athletes throughout the state of Vermont with all winter sports, cycling, kayaking & canoeing, sailing, beeper baseball, hiking, tennis, indoor rock climbing, and more.

 

Adaptive Sports Foundation---( 518-734-5070  www.adaptivesportsfoundation.org) Winter sports at Windham Mountain, NY

 

Helen Hayes Hospital---(845-786-4950) in West Haverstraw, NY runs a seasonal adaptive sports program for people with physical disabilities. Sports are as varied as kayaking, cycling, water skiing, softball, archery, tennis, basketball, sailing, and more.

 

Adaptive Sailing--- Ship ahoy! Adaptive sailing is available for individuals with various impairments including blindness. US Sailing (www.ussailing.org) has a list of organizations all over the USA that offer adaptive sailing programs for various disabilities including blindness. Here are a few in the NY area:

  • Y-Knot Adaptive Sailing---(Kattskill Bay, NY 518-656-9462) Adaptive sailing on Lake George for disabled people of all experience levels.
  • Nyack Boat Club---(Nyack, NY This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) Partnering with Helen Hayes Hospital to provide adaptive sailing opportunities.

Little League Challenger Baseball---(www.litleleague.org) Boys love to play baseball, and kids with disabilities are no exception. Little League’s adaptive baseball programs all around the globe bring the joy of baseball to individuals with physical and intellectual challenges.

 

Bowling---Yes, even someone in a wheelchair can compete in a game of bowling.  In fact, the American Wheelchair Bowling Association holds numerous professional tournaments for serious wheelchair bowlers! Special ball ramps are available in most bowling alleys upon request.

Therapeutic Horseback Riding---This is a wonderful way to increase confidence and self-esteem. It improves balance, coordination, concentration and range of motion. All while having fun and learning new skills. Here are a few local providers:

  • Camp Venture (Stony Point, NY 845 947 0093)
  • Gallop NYC (Brooklyn, NY gallopnyc.org)
  • Ride Kind (Montebello, NY 845 356 1464)
  • Equine Tranquility (Andover, NJ 201-970-3400)
  • Horse Ability (Old Westbury, NY 516-333-6151)
  • Topfield Equestrian Center (Cold Spring, NY 845-265-3409)
  • Pegasus (Brewster, NY 845-669-8235)

Adaptive Climbing---All kids love to climb! The Adaptive Climbing Group(646-389-2892 www.adaptiveclimbinggroup.org )  provides adaptive climbing opportunities for the disabled in a number of locations. The New York branch holds weekly climbing clinics in Brooklyn Boulders-Brooklyns and Queensbridge, as well as a monthly session at the Cliffs At Valhalla. The Massachusetts branch meets weekly at the Brooklyn Boulders-Somerville. The Chicago branch operates a weekly session at the Brooklyn Boulders-Chicago.

Leaps Of Faith Adaptive Skiing---(Sandy Hook, CT www.lofadaptiveskiers.org). Hosting programs for individual friends and groups to help them understand, develop skills, and enjoy the sports of waterskiing, wakeboarding, and tubing.

 

Adaptive Rowing---(New York City, 718-433-3075) Rowing can be adapted to different levels of ability. Those with visual impairments or physical or cognitive disabilities can all excel as rowers. Athletes begin the program learning the basics of rowing on ergometers, then move to on-water rowing on stable barges, and for competitive athletes, to rowing shells fitted with pontoons. Programs are available for teens and adults in their Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens locations.

Bounce Trampoline Sports---(Valley Cottage, NY---845-268-4000) Bounce features special Sensory Tuesday evening bounce sessions for those with Sensory Processing Disorders and others with sensory challenges including those with Autism Spectrum Disorders. The hour long program includes decreased auditory and visual stimuli in a less crowded environment, structured group activities with limited class size, and an available quiet room with sensory manipulatives.

iFly Indoor Skydiving (Yonkers, NY 914-449-4359) Get the thrill of flight in a safe environment. Children and adults can enjoy the experience of freefall in their vertical wind tunnel. They can also accommodate those with special needs.

 

Are you family football, baseball, or basketball fans? Have a wheelchair? No problem. With a little foresight, you can attend that big game. Most large stadiums have special seating areas on request for wheelchair users. Seating is limited, so reserve in advance.

 

Yes, there is no need for a disability to hold someone back from enjoying the same sports as everyone else. YOU DREAM IT, SOMEONE CAN HELP MAKE IT HAPPEN!