by Mariya Greeley Full article: https://sponsored.bostonglobe.com/point32health/adaptive-sports The post Adaptive sports signal a new era for excellence and inclusion (from the Boston Globe – April 13, 2024) appeared first on Adaptive Sports NE ..read more

by Wynter Pingel I never considered myself to be an athletic person. As a child, I was a good student and I excelled in music, but sports never held much interest for me. In PE class in a public school, teachers didn’t know quite what to do with me, so I mostly sat on the sidelines and didn’t do much of anything, but that never bothered me. I spent my freshman year of high school at the Wisconsin School for the Visually Handicapped, where I was expected to participate in PE class. The only thing I really enjoyed was going on the Stairmaster. And while I was part of the track team that year ..read more

Young athletes with a disability, between 4-18 years old, who plan on competing at any of the Move United sanctioned competitions in 2024 can apply for The Tatyana McFadden award. The award, named after one of the world’s most accomplished athletes, provides up to $500 of travel support to youth athletes, thanks to generous support from Tatyana McFadden and the DICK’s Sporting Good Foundation which helps under-resourced nonprofit organizations provide opportunities for youth to play sports nationwide. Applicants must: Register and compete at a Move United Sanctioned Competitio ..read more

by Kathy Maloney One never knows where the path of volunteering will take you. In 2010, I volunteered at my first Paralympic Games in Vancouver, Canada. While I was there and working at the Cross Country/Biathlon venue, I had the chance to meet and get to know some wonderful athletes, coaches and volunteers. One of my fellow volunteers kept going on about his curling league, and that he was missing games to be working at the Paralympic Games. I teased him, saying that he spoke about curling like my parents used to talk about their bowling leagues when I was younger. He then wagered a be ..read more

by Elise Morley [See image gallery at adaptivesportsne.org] Elise Morley will be competing in swimming at the 2023 ParaPan American Games in Santiago, Chile this November! Hi, my name is Elise, and I’m very excited to have been nominated for a second time to go to the ParaPan American Games. It’s been 4 years since I went to Lima, Peru, & my training looks pretty different now. I work two jobs and am going to grad school, so I have to fit my training in around all of that. I’m an infant swim instructor at the YMCA, and I’ve been teaching for around one year now. It’s been great to see my ..read more

by Vaughn Pfeffer, QB, New England Patriots Wheelchair Football One of the hardest parts of going through a life-changing injury like paralysis is facing the fact that some of the things you loved to do just won’t be possible anymore. For a 34-year-old newly injured person like me at the time, sports and staying active was the first thing that came to mind. What is life going to be like when I can’t use my legs to run my 20 miles per week? How can I keep friendships flourishing when I’m no longer able to join my beloved men’s league basketball teams? Ah man, I’m going to miss those games, the ..read more

by Haley Carroll This July, I was lucky enough to represent Adaptive Sports New England during the opening ceremony of a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, and it was an experience that I am super grateful for! It was Disability Pride Night, so not only was I there, but so were a bunch of important people/contributors in the world of disability and disabled sport. It felt really special to be among them as they were recognized for the work they’ve done!  We rolled on the field for the first pitch and introductions of each person, which was nerve-wracking. At the same time, I had so much fun ..read more

by Chris Nagle, Boston Strong I was introduced to beep baseball in the summer of 2022.  Before that time, I had never looked into sports adapted for the blind or other disabilities.  I grew up watching major league sports and playing basketball in high-school.  I also enjoyed taking long bike rides with my dad. I was born with a condition called Aniridia.  My vision growing up was rich and vivid, just less detailed.  When I would look at a rug or a wood floor, I would see one solid color and not the multitude of textures and details most people see.  If I ..read more

I have been obsessed with basketball my entire life. As a kid, I idolized hoopers like Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan, giants of human beings who spent their careers above the rim. Growing up, I was one of the tallest kids in my grade, always giving me an advantage over the rest of my friends trying to guard me on the court. This, along with a decent shot and some scrappy defense, allowed me to become a decent player in my glory days. However, I stopped growing too early and never became the freak-of-nature that’s required to make the NBA, or even excel at the college level. The problem with b ..read more

by Melissa MacKenzie Hi everyone! My name is Melissa MacKenzie, and I’m really excited to run the 2023 Boston Marathon to fundraise for Adaptive Sports New England! When I first heard about this organization, I was instantly drawn to the mission of supporting youth and adults with visual and mobility impairments by increasing access and participation in sports. Sports have always been a fundamental part of my life, providing me with a welcoming and enriching community. I am honored to run for a non-profit dedicated to expanding access to these experiences. I attended the Para Sports Day thi ..read more