Traversing the Sierra Nevadas in a wheelchair.
Adaptive Sports: Fuel for the Fight
They promote health and fitness, break down barriers, reveal hidden character, teach essential life lessons, expand individual potential...and that's just the beginning. Adaptive sports are an ingenious and effective way to plow through the challenges posed by your disability. more
Legendary Athlete Born Without Legs Headlines Abilities Expo
After a storied career of decimating barriers in sports, Dave Stevens is back home in Arizona to introduce kids with disabilities to football at the Expo.
Torsten Gross Found His Level Playing Field on the Racetrack
Between motorsport competitions, his Just Hands Foundation and more, Torsten Gross will join us at Abilities Expo, WITH his hand-control enabled racecar.
Paralympian Kari Miller-Ortiz Leaves No One on the Sidelines
This 3X Paralympian and gold medalist brings her sitting volleyball acumen to the disability community through multiple adaptive sports programs, including coaching at Abilities Expo Houston.
2X Paralympian Brent Poppen to Visit L.A. Abilities Expo
An accident may have altered the trajectory of Brett Poppen's life, but it never extinguished his love for sports. Meet this Paralympian at the Move United booth at Abilities Expo.
Meet Paralympian Steve Serio at Abilities Expo Dallas
Abilities Expo Dallas will be quite the star-studded event! Friday, Dec. 3 from 1-4 pm in the Toyota Mobility booth is your chance for facetime with wheelchair basketball star and three-time medalist Steve Serio.
Snow or Water: What's your favorite adaptive skiing?
LOF Adaptive Skiers bring the challenge, freedom and thrill of waterskiing and alpine skiing to the disability community. Is the mountain (or water) calling you?
Paralympic Golf: The Case for Why It Should Be
Adaptive golf is an incredibly accessible sport, enjoyed by everyone from weekend warriors to highly skilled golfers who compete internationally. So why is it not already a part of the Paralympic Games?
En Garde!: Tales of Triumph from a Wheelchair Fencer
Jonathan Collins loved the sports that always seemed just beyond his reach. That was before wheelchair fencing catapulted him into the limelight. Now this published author has even been know to cross sabres…lightsabres!
Take the May Movement Challenge!
What would you say to a month's worth of free online fitness classes to get you moving? There's hip hop and Latin dance, yoga, strength training, Tai Chi and more with modifications for disabilities. Did you say, "Where do I sign up?" Thought so.
The One-Handed Lady Golfer Empowers Community through Golf
Gianna Rojas's passion for spreading the benefits of adaptive golf is infectious and she is determined to bring the game to people with disabilities, regardless of your handicap. Golf pun. Couldn't resist.
Wheelchair Basketball and the First Push for Disability Rights
As we commemorate the 30th anniversary of the ADA, it's important to remember all of the players that brought this revolutionary legislation to life. David Davis' new book, Wheels of Courage, highlights the WWII paralyzed vets that invented wheelchair basketball and began the fight for disability rights.
Spartan Course Comes to Abilities Expo
You never know what will happen at Abilities Expo. This time, you may find yourself bungee crawling on the adaptive Spartan Course, using your mobility device or a loaner from GRIT Freedom Chair. One more check on the bucket list!
From the Slopes to the Doctor’s Office: The Power of Genetic Testing
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) cost Danelle Umstead her sight, but not her zest for life. This Paralympic skier and Dancing with the Stars contestant credits genetic testing as empowering her to live a richer life.
Chad Waligura Unites Texans with Adaptive Hunting and Fishing
When a lack of assistive tech threatened to stand in the way of Chad Waligura's ability to hunt and fish, this avid outdoor enthusiast and quadriplegic made his own.
Explore the Magical Underwater World with Adaptive Scuba Diving
Water is a great equalizing force and, with adapted equipment, an underwater adventure is accessible for many in the disability community. Are you ready for a "ground" breaking experience?
The One-Handed Lady Golfer Empowers Community
When there was no one to teach Giana Rojas how to swing a golf club with one arm, she took matters into her very capable hand. Now, she's blazing trails for people of all levels of ability to hit the links.
ACEing Autism Serves Positive Development for Kids with ASD
These unique, customized tennis programs make an enormous impact on children with autism nationwide, teaching physical and social skills in a fun environment.
Amputee Soccer? Amputee Soccer Absolutely!
This sport is extremely fast-paced, physical and is gaining popularity on the world stage. There's even a World Cup!
Making Sky-wide Smiles on the Slopes
The volunteer force behind Ontario Track 3 Ski Association makes the thrill of adaptive skiing and snowboarding possible for the community.
Study Poised to Help People who Use AAC
If you are an active participant in adaptive sports and have complex communication needs, your insights are in high demand! Read on…
Embracing the Zen with Adaptive Yoga
A fiercely able woman with an above-the-knee amputation always dismissed yoga as too foofoo for her athletic tastes. That is, until she tried it and experienced the fantastic effect on her mind, body and spirit.
Adaptive Sailing: BAADS to the Bone
Fair winds and following seas are within the reach of people with disabilities, even those that are highly involved, thanks to adaptive sailing.
Get in Synch with Synchronized Swimming
Future Paralympic sport (we hope!) synchronized swimming is an ideal pursuit for AWD—athletes with disabilities. In fact, it was invented by one.
What began as tools for rehabilitation have morphed into widespread, organized recreation and competitive sports programs. From quad rugby to wheelchair basketball to beep kickball to handcycling, there is literally something for everybody.
What will you get out of adaptive sports?
Physically, you can look forward to increase strength, better agility, improved circulation, boosted stamina, enhanced flexibility and burned calories, all of which will put of smile on the face of your favorite healthcare provider.
The psychological benefits are just as pivotal. Your confidence, self-esteem and overall desire to succeed are in for a huge spike. Sports have also been shown to have a positive impact on concentration, planning, analytical, leadership and social skills.
On top of all that, whether you are a weekend warrior or Paralympics-bound, it’s a great way to make friends and have fun.
Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the modern Olympics, was the proud father of two children with disabilities. Though he died before the Paralympics were born, maybe—just maybe—he was also thinking of his beloved progeny when he said, “The most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”
Click on to see how others in the Community who have "fought well."