Game on at a new location!

  

New INDOOR location for the North Texas Wheelchair Hockey League (Northside)! Same day and time.. new venue. Check it out and SHARE this info because the new location may be more convenient for some  I know it will be more cooler!! (Soutside, contact Miles Shaffer for info).

Rolling on, Stephanie

My New Love!

So this past Saturday was the annual sports clinic in Arlington Texas! It was a very long day for me, but was totally worth it. Before I start discussing what all happened I could kick myself for forgetting my camera, ugh! Thank God for Dawn Cruzan and Laura Halvorson who did manage to get pictures. It all began at 9 AM as the clinic was boccia. I was very excited to learn to play this sport as I had never played it before. I think the turnout rate would have been better if it would have been in the afternoon, but to be able to fit in all of the clinics something had to be in the morning.

The little balls that were used to play were a little bigger than a Hakki sack. I could open my hand and grip them easily with my curled in fingers. They weren’t to heavy either. My biggest obstacle was getting the ball to land where I needed it, but I did not do too bad. I surprised myself! The goal of the game is to get your six colored balls closest to the white ball while keeping your opponents balls out of the way. At one time I played against a gentleman who did not have the ability to roll the ball with his hands so he used a ramp to let the ball go, and at one point he wore a helmet with a stick on it. He would use this stick to hold onto the ball, then let go on the ramp.  That opened my eyes to the fact that anything is possible!

This was the boccia coach, Mary, teaching us all how to play this strategic sport.

 Boccia is played in the Paralympic games! And these 2 gentleman were part of the USA Paralympic team for boccia! I played one game with the guy on the left, John, and he totally gave me a run for my money. Although, he did not get any he certainly did win. Very strategic player.

So that morning I definitely found my new love! Excited to get to play this again!

To learn more about how to play this game you can contact Mary Knudsen at her cell number which is 817-821-6727 or her e-mail which is maryandgail@gmail.com. Here is the web address for the Boccia International Sports Federation, click here. They are always looking for more warm bodies to play, so do not hesitate! I know that I am ready to play again!

Due to the safety of the athletes and myself I did not participate in the next 2 clinics which were Power Hockey and Power Soccer. I cannot hit the broadside of a barn, and if they needed someone to play demolition derby I could do that, LOL. I was an awesome cheerleader though!. The turnout for the wheelchair hockey was awesome! Some people were serious competitors and brought their own the hockey sticks!

 

 

We could barely all fit in the picture!

Click Here to see an awesome you tube video of them playing hockey!

This is one of my favorite pictures! Laura Halvorson, Ms. Wheelchair Texas 2014 leaving them all in their dust!

Camp Craig Allen has a North Texas Wheelchair Hockey League. For full contact information click here.

I know that there were more players than that, but I do know that there was a whole lot of subbing going on! Some people were probably on break or they were in the corner charging their chairs! Their chairs were sure given a workout, LOL! 

If you are interested and want to know more about power soccer you can contact Jc Russo by phone, text, or e-mail at 317-627-4224, jcrusso1@gmail.com. “We do have our own world cup even though power soccer isn’t in the Paralympics yet,” exclaimed Russo. “But we are working on it!”

That was a fantastic day full of excitement!

Rolling on, Stephanie

“Pin It!”

Guess who is pinning on Pinterest?!

That would be Camp Craig Allen!  “Pin it” here.

I was asked several months ago to do a Pinterest page for Camp Craig Allen.  I will admit, this made me nervous. I mean, I am the 40-year-old girl who still has a flip phone, has no texting, and still sleeps with my glowworm! Okay so I am kidding about the glowworm, but I am pretty much old school when it comes to things that are tech-advanced since the millennium.  However, I am always up for a challenge so I did not hesitate to say “Okay”!

Pinterest first began in 2009. So I had never been on Pinterest before nor did I know how to use it! I had heard of it before but I just do not surf the web much due to my physical disability– I have poor mouse control and bad focus. I am usually a quick learner, but it takes a few times to get it down.  So of course I had some major help to get things started, thank you so much (You know who you are)! But I cannot forget my sidekick and co-coordinator in this, Racquel Flores! If it was not for her the Pinterest page would not look as put together. So go check it out, “pin it,” follow it, and invite all of your friends to follow it. And let me know how you like it? Feel free to leave comments. We’re always looking for ways to improve!

Speaking of pinning things, August 22-24 is the MD Reunion Camp session held at the Collin County Adventure Camp in Anna, Texas. If you are 18+ , and planning to go you will need to go register (Or pin yourself), register here. Registration deadline is August 8, but it is a good idea to hold your spot now because there are always a lot of peeps who come to this session! No, you do not have to have a form of MD to make it to this session. I love camp in the summer, because that means POOL TIME!! We are always looking for volunteers as well! So do not hesitate whether you are a new camper or volunteer!  I hope that you can make it, as I will be there for sure!

Rolling on, Stephanie

I’ve got the power!!

In just a little over a week we get to have a “hands-on” experience with not 1, not 2, but 3 different adaptive sporting clinics from our power wheelchairs!! An opportunity like this does not happen very often for those of us with physical disabilities that use power wheelchairs. I encourage everyone to venture out of your house and come! Bring a friend (or 5)! You will not only be able to do these things, but you will also make some awesome friends along the way!  I will be out there, and am so very excited!! I know I am not the only one who is excited, so be sure to reserve your spot by contacting Miles Shaffer at mshaffer454@gmail.com or give him a call at 940-577-0473. We will be playing at the Maverick Activities Center Indoor Soccer Gym at UTA (University of Texas at Arlington). That sounds so official! This will be taking place all day on Saturday, July 19. Yes, lunch will be provided. So again be sure to make reservations!

Let me tell you a little bit about each one of the clinics:

Clinic 1 9 AM-11 AM Boccia Ball-

Although this game originated a long time ago in Italy, the popularity of it has spread worldwide! It has been a part of the Paralympic games since 1984.  It is played on a flat, smooth surface by either individuals or teams paired in threes. Athletes throw, kick, or use an assistive device to propel leather balls to a target.  I am very much looking forward to playing this one. I had never heard of it before. It is similar to bocce ball which I had heard of but never played!

Clinic 2 1 PM-3 PM Power Hockey

It is a competitive, fast-paced hockey game using a power wheelchair. Using modified ice hockey rules this enables those of us in power wheelchair’s to be able to play hockey in a competitive team setting. I found the history of how power hockey came about very interesting.In the 1970s it was discovered by accident when some schools had been giving sport lessons to the disabled students.  This type of sport was great for them because it does not require much muscle power to operate the stick or the wheelchair.

Clinic 3 3 PM-6 PM Power Soccer-

This is the first is the first competitive sporting event that was designed specifically for those using power wheelchairs!  It is also the fastest growing sport. It is played very similar to able-bodied soccer.

Clinic 2 and 3 both require the use of a power wheelchair!

If you need more details or information about the clinics or to register Miles is your man! His contact information is above.  A big thank you goes out to everyone involved in making this happen! Thank you Camp Craig Allen, Turning Point, and UTA! Hope to see everyone there!