Sportable is a non-profit adaptive sports organization that provides recreational opportunities for those with physical disabilities. The program enforces confidence and encourages each adaptive athlete to compete in everything they do.
Click the video to see these adaptive athletes practice their tennis skills (Video: Kami Miles)
Sportable is the only adaptive sports club in Central Virginia, and one of the leading Paralympic sport clubs in the United States. Providing opportunities to hundreds of athletes a year, Sportable offers a variety of recreational adaptive sports programs that have transformed the lives of individuals with physical disabilities.
One of the many adaptive sports hosted by the organization is Wheelchair Tennis. The sport is one of the fastest growing wheelchair sports in the world. The game is played the same way as able-bodied tennis with the exception that players are allowed two bounces (instead of one) before hitting the ball over the net.
Home to several Paralympic medalists, both military veteran and civilian, Sportable continues to instill confidence and free their athletes to see beyond their disabilities.
Wheelchair Tennis Coach Gary Rudd explains that he trains each athlete the same way he treats an able-bodied person.
“There’s a big statement in tennis,” says Rudd, “it’s: tennis is tennis no matter if they are a run player, or an able-bodied player, or a roll player. We don’t talk about disability, we talk about ability.”
Regardless of physical limitation, exercise and remaining active in the community provides a wealth of benefits to the mind and body. The National Institute of Health states that recreational team sports are the motivational medicine. Humans are innately social, and community organizations encourage a sense of belonging, genuine fun, and reduce sedentary behaviors.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the spontaneity of playing team sports greatly benefits our cardiovascular system. Improved heart health increases blood flow to the brain thus decreasing the chances of mental health disorders to include depression and chronic stress. A healthy heart means a healthy brain, and has proved to decrease or prevent cognitive decline.
Despite COVID-19 restriction, Sportable continues to make weekly efforts to get their athletes into the community to reduce social isolation, remain physically fit, and to improve overall quality of life.
Sportable adaptive athletes practice their techniques in wheelchair tennis (Photos: Kami Miles)
If you want to join Sportable as an athlete or volunteer, visit www.sportable.org.