The 31st annual Hartford Ski Spectacular is underway in Breckenridge, with over 800 individuals in attendance. It is one of the largest winter adaptive sports festivals in the country skispec – Adaptive Sports Connection (formerly TAASC) board member and certified adaptive ski instructor Gwenn Denorme, along with certified adaptive ski instructor Damon Howarth were featured in a Denver news story with Lauren Sampson – born with Spina bifida – who has been training with Gwenn at Snow Trails for two years with a goal to participate at Ski Spec. Congrats Lauren! Thanks, Gwenn and Damon for all your hours of volunteer service and to your companies Centric Consulting and Park National Bank (Ohio) for supporting!

Check out the special video coverage by CBS4 Denver.

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Click to read the complete story on WBNS-10TV website.

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Adaptive Sports Connection Provides a Boundless Kayak Adventure at the Scioto Mile to raise awareness for Spinal Cord Injuries

On September 23rd, Adaptive Sports Connection, Hero USA, and Ohio Health Rehabilitation Hospital frolic into fall with an exciting kayaking adventure to raise awareness for Spinal Cord Injury month.

Everybody Paddles takes place at 650 West Nationwide Boulevard, Columbus, Ohio. Launch time is 11:00am, and the cost is $50 per person. Proceeds from the event will support Adaptive Sports Connection’s mission to transform the lives of children, adults, and veterans with disabilities.

One hundred kayakers of all ages and abilities will paddle down the Scioto Mile, under bridges, past the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) and the Bicentennial Park, and finish up at Scioto Audubon Park. Along the way, kayakers will enjoy snack stations, music, and many surprises.

WillowWood, a designer and manufacturer of functional and comfortable prosthetic products is the main sponsor of the event, supported by Ohio Health Rehabilitation Hospital.

Parking is available, as well as transportation from Scioto Audubon Park back to Nationwide.

For more information or to register for the event visit our EveryBody Paddles Event page.

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Boundless Loyalty: Julius, a five-year-old American Bully, takes to  paddle boarding alongside his best friend, Elias, who lost most of his vision after fighting in the Iraq War. Elias and Julius participated in wakeboarding, paddle boarding, and sailing together at The Adaptive Adventure Sports Coalitions’ Water Sports Weekend.

Julius and Elias at TAASC Water Sports Weekend 2017

Boundless Love & Loyalty

Elias and Julius share a special kind of bond. They arrived at TAASC’s Water Sports Weekend ready to hit the water, and quickly stole the hearts of all the volunteers and participants.

The deep connection between Elias and Julius is an obvious one, composed of equal parts – faithfulness, fierce loyalty, compassion and love. The gregarious dog has become Elias’s new set of eyes…ones that help him to see clearly that it is possible to overcome life’s many obstacles.

Elias, 31, is visually impaired after contracting a bacterial infection while serving in the Army during the Iraq War. He is a young man with a sweet and gentle spirit. But this has not always been the case.

“I grew up in a very destructive home. My Dad beat me. My Mother would cry…all the anger in my heart led me into a world of trouble at school. I would act out, kicking my classmates because of what was happening to me at home – a cycle that began with my Dad’s Dad, who beat and abused my father, who in turn did the same to me.

I thought the best way to channel my rage would be to join the Army, and fight the Iraqi soldiers. During my second deployment, I contracted a bacterial infection in my eyes and was sent home.

I am now legally blind – with only peripheral vision. Angrier than I ever had been before, I turned to drugs to dull the pain, and try to forget about my physical disability and limitations. I got into fights, ended up in jail. And then I found Jesus Christ and my life has completely changed.

I knew I had to channel my energy and the need to get high into something more positive. That’s when I found adaptive sports for people with disabilities. First, I began snowboarding, and then paddle boarding, sailing, wake boarding, and water skiing. Participation in adaptive sports produced a dopamine high, and gave me a positive way to deal with some of the issues in my life. And it was fun!

Five years ago, I decided to move away from the destructive influence of my family to Ohio. I got a dog. And now Julius is my only family. He is my constant companion. I believe God is using Julius to break the destructive patterns, and teach me the meaning of boundless love.

I can’t say enough about the people at TAASC. To be able to participate in adaptive sports has completely changed my life. Faith, Adaptive Sports, and Julius have made all the difference in redirecting the story of my life. My goal now is to continue to help others move forward in a positive way.”

Thanks Elias and Julius for sharing your story and a part of your journey with us! We hope that you come back soon. We have officially adopted Julius as the TAASC mascot. Keep pressing forward.

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Adaptive Adventure Sports Coalition Event Provides a Boatload of Adventure for Veterans, Adults, and Kids

June 23rd through the 25th, The Adaptive Adventure Sports Coalition (TAASC) kicks off an adventure-filled summer with its Water Sports Weekend at the TAASC Adventure Center, 6000 Harriott Drive in Powell, Ohio. Event organizers hope that participants – if they haven’t joined in on a TAASC event yet – will experience the many positive effects that adaptive sports are known to provide.

TAASC’s summer kick-off event sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, offers numerous opportunities for veterans, adults, and kids ages 16 and older, with physical injuries or disabilities to shine; activities include water skiing, wakeboarding, sailing, fishing, and kayaking. Over the weekend, participants can also do a little cycling, play bocce ball, or try their hand at archery. Water Sports Weekend starts on Friday June 23 from 3 pm to 8 pm, Saturday 8 am to 6 pm and Sunday 8 am to 4 pm.

In addition to the sports events, daily lunches and dinners are provided thanks to Toray Plastics (America), Inc.  Hotel rooms will be provided at no cost for Veterans traveling from outside Columbus.

The cost is $35 per person based on ability to pay. Veterans participate for free, thanks in part to TAASC’s partnership with Warfighter Sports. Other event sponsors include Ohio Health.

Participants register here.

Volunteers register here.

Dedicated to making a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families, TAASC promotes freedom, fun, and adventure, enabling those with injuries or disabilities to experience outdoor sports in an unforgettable, life-altering way.

Recent studies* illustrate that individuals with physical disabilities who remain physically active will experience better emotional and physical health as well as improved health overall.

Adaptive athletics help participants understand that they can succeed in spite of disabilities or injuries. This realization increases confidence and helps those with injuries or disabilities gain new meaning in life as they expand their limits, strategize, adapt, and begin to build their post-injury identities.

The psychological benefits of adaptive sports participation include improved mood and body image; reduced anger, confusion, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness; increased self-esteem; and improved self-perception and life satisfaction.

Physical benefits include a decrease in pain and tension levels; reduced severity of secondary health problems; enhanced ability to complete daily activities and self-care; improved wheelchair mobility skills; and greater physical independence.

And the sociological benefits of adaptive sports participation include enjoying new experiences and friendships; counteracting the stigma of disability; and an increased likelihood of employment.

About The Adaptive Adventure Sports Coalition (TAASC)

TAASC is celebrating 25 years of empowering people with disabilities through sports and wellness programs. Founded in 1992, TAASC is part of the Disabled Sports USA, a national organization serving people with disabilities. Through a partnership with the City of Columbus, TAASC’s Adventure Center located at 6000 Harriott Road, has access to nearly 22 acres along the Scioto River. TAASC operates its winter sports programs at Snow Trails Ski Resort in Mansfield, Ohio, and Mad River Mountain Ski Resort in Valley Hi, Ohio.

For more information, go to TAASC.org.

*Study sources include:

US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1832786

A media release regarding a study by University of Houston, Michael Cottingham, PhD, associate professor in Department of Health and Human Performance at the University of Houston:
http://www.rehabpub.com/2015/08/playing-adaptive-sports-just-physical-fitness-benefits/

Navy Medicine Headlines, an article by Kartavya Vyas, Clinical Research Coordinator:
http://www.med.navy.mil/sites/nmcsd/nccosc/item/the-psychological-benefits-of-adaptive-athletics/index.aspx

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The Adaptive Adventure Sports Coalition will host the Adaptive Sports Expo on Friday, June 9, from noon – 3:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 10, from 10:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Anyone from age 3 through adulthood with physical, visual, cognitive or intellectual developmental disabilities will be given the opportunity to participate and learn more about the world of adaptive sports.

The event will take place at TAASC Adventure Center located at 6000 Harriott Road in Powell, Ohio. Admission is free and a light lunch will be provided both days.

Participants will get to experience a variety of outdoor sports including cycling, kayaking, rock climbing (Saturday only), snow ski simulation, fishing (Friday only), belly boat rides, outdoor cooking, wheelchair rugby, horse therapy, adaptive race car, boccia ball, and more.

Organizations sponsoring and/or showcasing at the Adaptive Sports Expo include: TAASC, Delaware County Board of Developmental Disabilities, ODNR Fish and Game, Team Heart and Sole, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Adaptive Sports Institute, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, UFit, Capstone Climbing, Amps for Ohio, Discovery Riders, and Ohio Sled Hockey

The Adaptive Sports Expo is one of the many activities scheduled at TAASC to give veterans, adults, and children with disabilities the opportunity to participate in a wide range of outdoor sports.

Visit https://taasc.z2systems.com/np/clients/taasc/event.jsp?event=12011 for registration and event details.

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Steve Ricker has been selected as one of the 20 finalists in central Ohio for the Jefferson Award.

The 2017 Jefferson Awards are presented by WBNS-10TV, Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Services, and Lifeline of Ohio to recognize individuals who do extraordinary things in their community without expecting anything in return.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Senator Robert Taft, Jr., of Ohio created the national Jefferson Awards in 1972 to highlight the works of unsung heroes. Television stations and newspapers across the country tell the positive stories about these volunteers and motivate individual responsibility for civic and neighborhood improvement.

For 25 years Steve has been teaching adults, children, and veterans the skills needed to participate in adaptive sports. He got involved with adaptive snow skiing in the 1980’s in upstate New York. An avid skier and instructor, Steve signed up to volunteer to teach blind people how to snow ski. The instructor at the time was a 65-year old man who was blind himself.

“The experience was life-changing, and I knew when we moved to Columbus I had to start an organization to help people experience the freedom of participating in adaptive sports,” said Ricker.

In 1992, he co-founded TAASC – an organization that has helped thousands of individuals and families live healthier and happier lives.

“As an instructor, I receive immediate feedback from participants who never thought they would be able to ski again, or learn to ski for the first time,” he said. I am able to see a life changed right in front of me – families are able to participate in outdoor activities together. It totally changes their entire thinking and dynamics.”

Steve was selected from a field of 157 nominations from all over central Ohio. Judges selected the 20 individuals who best represent the spirit of volunteerism and community service. These finalists will be honored at a private, invitation-only ceremony on Thursday, April 6. At that time the five 2017 winners will be presented.

Congratulations Steve!

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