Sports for Kids
Meet Ione: Discovering Her Potential Through Adaptive Sports
In FY25, the Tengelsen Family Foundation Sports for Kids Program provided adaptive sports and fitness offerings to 122 children across eight sports. In addition, the Souder Family Foundation funded an adaptive scuba trip for five divers.
122 children participated 8 sports
At age 10, Ione is a developing athlete with a huge personality and an even bigger smile. She first came to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab for gait camp, a multi-week summer program focused on building strength, mobility and endurance. Ione’s results from gait camp were astonishing, so she continued physical therapy and was eventually introduced to Shirley Ryan AbilityLab’s adaptive sports program. By participating, Ione not only has found an opportunity to play sports, but she also has found a community. While she has tried many programs, including adaptive judo, rock climbing, wheelchair basketball and adaptive sailing, her favorite experience is adaptive sports camp, offered in the summer. “You get to try two different sports each day,” Ione said. “I climbed to the top of the climbing wall at Maggie Daley Park, I’ve been able to meet members of the Chicago Cubs, and I’ve made a lot of friends, too. My favorite sport from adaptive sports camp has been adaptive sled hockey.” Greg and Jennifer, Ione’s parents, have seen her confidence and self-esteem soar. “Ione’s involvement in adaptive sports has been a boost to her pride and determination,” they said. “She believes in herself and knows that she can do anything. As parents, that is a beautiful sight to see in your child.”
Thanks to your support, our Chicago Skyhawks junior wheelchair basketball team athletes enjoyed a spring break to remember. They attended the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament at the University of Illinois Urbana- Champaign. They also toured the university’s Rehabilitation Education Center, part of its Disability Resources and Educational Services, to learn about college admissions, accommodations and campus support for students with disabilities. For our athletes nearing high school graduation, this trip offered a powerful glimpse into life as college student-athletes. We hope to make this a recurring opportunity — connecting teens with mentors and helping them set meaningful goals for college and beyond through adaptive sports.
Thank you for giving kids like Ione the chance to learn, play and thrive.
18 Quality-of-life Programs
Quality-of-life Programs 19
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