Redeat “Red” Basketball player

Challenge:

Red recently moved to the Rochester region. She and her family weren’t sure what kinds of activities would be accessible to her. Her two siblings were registering for camps and after- school sports programs and Red wanted to do something too. But what is available for a youth with limb differences?

Solution:

In early winter 2021, as the pandemic eased enough for our sports programs to rev up again, RAA rolled out a new program: Inclusive Wheelchair Basketball. The program recruits youth with and without disabilities to learn to play the sport together.

Red’s mom was directly connected to the Rochester Rockets program flyer and Red was signed up. Her sisters were going to come, too, and maybe give it a try. By the end of the night, all three sisters were learning the new sport! And this was the first of many sports for them to try out together.

As Winter progressed, Red learned about Sled Hockey and attended the Try It Clinics. Her sisters tried it, too. Red and one of her sisters loved being in the sleds and skating around; the other decided she prefers stand-up skating. Very soon, Red was soon practicing with the Rochester Sled Hawks team members. Can’t wait for the 2022-23 season to begin!

Later in Spring of 2022, RAA hosted a Tennis Workshop in partnership with USTA Eastern and Greater Buffalo Adaptive Sports. Who attended? Red! She received instruction from Paralympian and wheelchair tennis phenom, Connor Stroud, and was hooked.

“That was the best year of my life! Basketball has become my whole world and it makes me so happy.” said Red. “I feel so lucky and so grateful for the opportunities that I have. I love playing sports and how they bring people together. To be able to try out so many sports I had never tried before was incredible!”

Which sport will become Red’s favorite?
Right now, she clearly loves basketball. More opportunities are just around the corner, and we can’t wait to see her trying them all! Having multiple choices and options for discovery as a youth grows up is truly our goal.

Everybody should get a chance to feel seen and find sports they enjoy playing no matter their situation. I wish more people knew about adaptive sports because it really does change your life.