On Saturday two board members Rosell Matienzo and family, Will Rogers and I had a table and provided some adapted sports at the Inland Empire Disabilities Expo at the Ontario Convention Center. This was the first Expo since COVID and was sponsored by Inland Empire Health Plan and Loma Linda University- PossAbilities. We met many people and representatives from numerous organizations opening up the possibility for engaging with new athletes and more collaborations throughout the Inland Empire.
Did you know that wheelchair football, supported by the NFL, is a thing and that we have a team in Los Angeles? This article is about the Buffalo Bills wheelchair football team, This Might Be More Physical Than Actual Football. A collision-heavy wheelchair football team in Buffalo is giving players community and purpose.
I'm also part of a google list serve about adapted sports. Check out this article and video about Patty Cisneros Prevo, a former Paralympian who recently wrote the book, Tenacious: Fifteen Adventures Alongside Disabled Athletes.I've ordered the book from Amazon and would be happy to lend it out once I receive it. Check out this lovely video about Chuck Aoki, Captain of the gold medal US Wheelchair Rugby Team! Chuck does a lot to inspire others through adapted sports.
Many of you might know the new Director of UCPIE, John Sprogis. I met John in July as he came on our Palm Springs Tram Hike. John has a sister Michelle, who lives with intellectual disability. She works and has a full life as shown in this video. It's vital that we find jobs for everybody no matter what their ability. (Please see the flyer below about their upcoming bowling fundraiser and check out John's and Calista Vassios recent appearance on Eye of the Desert.)
My friend Andrew Skinner is one of the loveliest people that I've ever met. Andrew and his family started Triumph Foundation15 years ago and have built an incredible organization helping so many with Spinal Cord Injury and other disabilities to truly enjoy life. Please take a look at this video celebrating 15 years.
Congratulations to the El Segundo, California Little League World Series team for winning on a walk off home run. This is what dreams are made of!
Finally, check out the 2023 Spinal Injury Games on October 7 at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center
Hope that you and your family have a good week as we head into the Labor Day weekend!
Meet the Board of Directors
Jessica Ochoa, VP is a 20+ year professional in the parks and recreation field and has worked for numerous municipalities such as Rancho Cucamonga, Yucaipa and now Riverside.
Staff
Heather Wisener, Bookkeeper, earned her accounting degree from California State University, Fresno. She has worked in the public and non-profit sector and has volunteered at several DSUSD schools including Palm Desert High School since 2009. She started working for SoCal Adaptive Sports in November 2022.
We've been partnering with Desert ARC since April providing opportunities for stretching, bball and pickleball drills and skills development and boccia!
Expert Tennis/Pickleball Lessons in Collaboration with Special Olympics, Aceing Autism at Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort. Starts October 18. Registration is on a monthly basis.
We're already planning lots more events and activities for 2024! Stay tuned!
EVENTS FROM OUR FRIENDS
We believe in the power of collaboration in leveling the playing field and truly bringing about societal inclusion. That's why we're listing these events and also websites of our friends who are doing phenomenal work! Please visit below and click on the links to find out more
Please join us and the others organizations and individuals throughout Riverside County and southern California in leveling the playing field and creating greater societal inclusion!
We gave out Buzz Light Year wheelchair costumes, Dragons, Black Panther Gauntlets, donated by Disney, along with many other items, at the Expo on Saturday!
SoCal Adaptive Sports’ mission is to enable people with disability to participate inclusively throughout society by creating greater equity and inclusion through developing, planning and implementing competitive and recreational sports and other opportunities. We envision a world in which everyBODY has equitable access to leading a fulfilling life.
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