Parasport Is a Catalyst for Life
Executive Director Teresa Skinner assists in demonstrating how to use a racing wheelchair.
On Tuesday, August 12, several families, hospital staff, Paralympians, local Para-athletes and coaches came together for the first collaborative event between Shriners Children’s Spokane and ParaSport Spokane.
ParaSport Spokane uses adaptive sports as a catalyst for life. They provide training, recreational and competitive opportunities for youth and adults with physical disabilities that promote success, self-worth and independence.
To help bring awareness to Paralympic sports and the opportunities available to Shriners Children’s patients with mobility or limb differences, volunteers and athletes from ParaSport Spokane – some of them former Shriners Children’s Spokane patients – explained how their experiences fostered a love of sports and a greater sense of independence.
“There’s no better method for demonstrating the positive impact of sports than by our amazing athletes sharing stories and firsthand accounts about what we do and how we do it,” said Teresa Skinner, executive director of ParaSport Spokane.
Local athletes shared stories about the ways sports have changed their lives and what they would want more people to know about adaptive sports. Likewise, Paralympians explained the transformative nature of competing internationally. Some athletes also provided demonstrations of various adaptive equipment used in racing, sled hockey and shot put.
“ParaSport gives you a lot more than competition … [it] gives you so much more to do in life,” said Chelsea, a wheelchair basketball and sled hockey athlete and wheelchair basketball coach.
“Working with ParaSport Spokane was an amazing opportunity! Hearing about the powerful impact they have on their athletes really highlighted the holistic support they offer in athletics, in community and in life,” said Mike Craven, rehabilitation manager at Shriners Children's Spokane. “It’s a true privilege to partner with them. We are excited to continue creating opportunities like this so our kids can discover the various life-changing local resources that help them thrive.”
We are incredibly grateful to ParaSport Spokane for being a part of this fun, informative afternoon!
Mike Craven, rehabilitation manager at Shriners Children's Spokane, speaks at a collaborative event with ParaSport Spokane to bring greater awareness of adaptive sports opportunities in the area.
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