A special thanks to Howard K. Brodwin, founder of Sports and Social Change?and author of this post. For more information, check out the Sports and Social Change Blog. Like this all-star org on Facebook while you?re at it, too.?
2012 will likely go down as the year disabled sports moved from the backstage to the main stage in the grand arena of sport. The overwhelming success of the London 2012 Paralympic Games this summer was the coming out party for some of the greatest athletes most had never seen. Record attendance, sold-out venues, thousands of hours of events streamed live over the web, royalty in the stands, world records shattered, all wrapped up in iconic style with a concert from one of rock?s biggest acts;?these games showcased ?ability? over disability.
Photo Courtesy of Sports and Social Change/Howard K. Brodwin
But once the lights went out at the venues in London and the highlights faded into the vast content pool of YouTube, questions emerged? How does someone who is disabled get involved in sports? Where does a man inspired by Oscar Pistorius go to learn about Track & Field for amputees? Where does a parent with a disabled child turn to get their son or daughter involved in Wheelchair Basketball? Where does a blind woman go to learn about Goalball?
One man, Aaron Moffett, Kinesiology Professor at California State University San Bernardino, knew that without the opportunity to try a sport first-hand, many kids and adults might never get the chance to play and miss out on all of the benefits sports has to offer. And so, the DisAbility Sports Festival was born. Held this past Saturday, Oct 6th, this free, annual event, now in its 6th year, is a showcase of sports and recreational opportunities for people living with all types of disabilities, attracting over 2,000 people from across Southern California.
What makes this event unique are the opportunities for attendees to try over 20 different sports and activities available for the disabled, including Wheelchair sports like Rugby, Basketball & Tennis, as well as Archery, Golf, Swimming, Martial Arts, Dance, Kayaking, Soccer, Discus, Shot Put, Javelin, Sitting Volleyballand Goalball.
Photo Courtesy of Sports and Social Change/Howard K. Brodwin
Also on hand this year were a trio of US Paralympians who spent time talking with prospective athletes and their families, giving tips and coaching, as well as playing alongside the attendees: 2012 Sitting Volleyball Silver medalist Kari Miller, a US Army veteran who you might recognize from a Citibank spot that ran during the Olympic games; 2012 Discus Bronze medalist Angela Madsen, who also holds 6 Guiness World Records for Rowing and is the World Record holder for shot put and American Record holder in javelin; and sprinter Katy Sullivan, an actress and the first bilateral above-the-knee amputee to compete in International Track & Field and American Record holder in the 100m.
One young boy, a single leg amputee, and his parents were talking with Katy Sullivan about sports. Katy asked him what sports he plays, and his response was simple: ?Video games.? She smiled, shook her head and encouraged him to try some of the sports and find what he liked the most. His mom responded, ?That?s exactly why we?re here today ? to show him there are lots of sports he can play.? Maybe one day we?ll all be watching him run for gold in the Paralympics. Or maybe he?ll just find a sport where he feels he can belong.
?Howard K. Brodwin
Sam Morgenstern
I'm a second-year student at Chapman U's School of Law/hopeful future entertainment lawyer, concert fiend, coffee-addict, and NPO-enthusiast. I speak fluent sarcasm, mostly-fluent Spanish, and about 20 words of Italian. I'm working on English. Follow me on Twitter because I post cool articles and entertaining pieces of information.
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