Stories

As Sportable continues to grow beyond two decades of empowering athletes of all abilities, we are filled with gratitude for the incredible community that fuels our mission. From athletes and volunteers to partners, donors, and supporters, each person plays a vital role in making adaptive sports and recreation accessible and life-changing. This year, we proudly…

Written By: Derek Hoot I grew up in small-town Wisconsin playing basketball outside with my twin brother and the neighborhood kids. Sticking to half-court basketball since I couldn’t quite keep up on the full-court. But then I met Luke at the park when I was 13. He was my age and he played wheelchair basketball…

By: Wyatt Brady, Sportable Athlete I moved to Richmond when I was 12 years old and discovered Sportable soon after. I tried wheelchair lacrosse, kayaking, archery, and cycling. But it was wheelchair basketball that made me feel like I had potential as an athlete. At one of my first practices, Coach Brandon took me aside…

Written By: Dwayne Veney, Sportable Athlete and Board Member I had always been fast. In high school, I ran the 400-meter dash and had a PR of 57 seconds. Whether it was track, football, or basketball, my teammates knew they could count on my speed. I wasn’t just a three-sport athlete in high school, I…

Written by: Jarrett Kipp It had only been two months since my injury. I was trying to learn how to live as a paraplegic at Sheltering Arms Institute when I first heard about Sportable. I was deeply depressed and dealing with debilitating nerve pain. I just wasn’t ready. A few months later, I met a…

Our work would not be possible without all the people who make up our Sportable community—athletes, volunteers, sponsors, community partners, donors and staff. We are thrilled to continue the tradition of recognizing a handful of those who have gone above and beyond to make an impact in the last year. Nominated by Sportable staff, the…

Written By: Sue Henneberry Sports have always been an important part of my life. Both of my parents were Physical Education Teachers. I grew up playing wiffle ball and football in the yard with my family. I was a gymnast, cheerleader, and runner. I played on my high school volleyball and softball teams. Life without…

By: Michael Brooks My road to riding the RAGBRAI started a long time ago. I didn’t take fitness or sports seriously until I joined the Army after high school. In the Army, I didn’t have a choice; we ran every day. It was a part of the job. During my 21 years in the Army,…

Sportable is preparing to host the region’s first-ever River City Rumble Wheelchair Rugby Tournament, July 14-16. The tournament will begin after a Low Point Wheelchair Rugby Clinic led by Steve Kearley, Head Coach of the USA Wheelchair Rugby Low Point Team. Kearley experienced a spinal cord injury after a car accident his senior year of…