Adult Adaptive Sports Program
If you're interested in adaptive sports, Mary Free Bed offers a variety of athletic programs for patients. Those with mobility impairments can reap the same benefits of athletic activity and competition as the able-bodied enjoy. And, research proves that participating in sports and other recreation programs goes beyond the repair of the physical – athletic and leisure activities also have marked psychological and social advantages for people with disabilities.
Mary Free Bed’s Adaptive Sports Program focuses on getting adult patients back into active lifestyles. Recreational therapists evaluate your leisure skills and activities and try to find ways to keep you active in the areas you're passionate about. Mary Free Bed's rec therapists can provide education and leisure counseling to enable you to return to the same, or new, leisure and sports activities, with or without adaptation.
Events
5/3 River Bank Run - Second Saturday of May
Contact: Kelly Merz, 616.356.1861
The 5/3 River Bank Run is held annually on the second Saturday in May. Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital coordinates the wheelchair division of the event. Competitors come from all over the world, including South Africa, Mexico, Canada, and various locales in the United States.
Sports Clinics
Mary Free Bed/BlazeSports – February
Downhill Ski Clinic
Contact: Brie Taylor, 616.242.0350
Downhill skiing is available to individuals with various types of disabilities including spinal cord injury, visual impairment, sensory impairment, amputee, brain injury, stroke, and developmental disabilities. The sport offers a physical workout, social networking, and an exciting winter recreational activity. This is a one day clinic held at Cannonsburg Ski Resort in early February. Professional volunteers, provided by the Cannonsburg Challenged Ski Association (CCSA), a chapter of Disabled Sports/USA, will be working specifically with you. Participants will have the opportunity to utilize adaptive equpiment on various hills and ride the ski lift.
Mary Free Bed/BlazeSports Adaptive Rock Climbing Clinic – February
Contact: Kelly Merz, 616.356.1861
One clinic is held every February at Grand Valley State University Climb Center. Participants are assessed individually to determine if adaptive equipment is needed. Participants must be at least 13 years old to participate. Physician approval is required with registration form.
Bikes for the Rest of Us – Last Saturday in April
Contact: Maria Besta, 616.242.0352
The bikes program is geared toward children and adults with disabilities to introduce them to adaptive biking. Participants are individually paired with a therapist and evaluated to determine the needed adaptations to participate in the sport of biking. Vendors from Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio provide bikes to trial.
Mary Free Bed/BlazeSports Adaptive Golf Clinic – June
Contact: Jenny Baweja, 616.242.0443
One clinic is held every other spring to anyone with a disability. A completed registration form is required to participate. The clinic focuses on the mechanics of golf swing, stance, adaptive techniques, and adaptive equipment including gloves, clubs, and carts.
Mary Free Bed/BlazeSports Adaptive Water Ski Clinic – July and August
Contact: Christy VanHaver, 616.365.1880
Two clinics are held every summer in July and August. The clinics focus on introduction to skiing from either sitting or standing. Participants must be at least 13 years old to participate. Physician approval is required with registration form.
Mary Free Bed/BlazeSports Adaptive Kayak/Canoeing Clinic – August
Contact: Brie Taylor, 616.242.0350
Individuals are assessed individually to determine if adaptive equipment is needed. Participants must be at least 13 years old to participate. Physician approval is required with registration form.
Organizations
Bocce Ball
616.656.5275
Contact: Val Romeo
Kentwood Parks and Recreation sponsors bocce ball every Monday night from 6:00pm to 7:00 pm at Tommy Noto's. The program is held over 6 week sessions followed by a tournament at the end of the program.
Cannonsburg Challenged Ski Association
616.874.3060
P.O. Box 1683
Grand Rapids, MI 49501
Email: ski_ccsa@hotmail.com or www.skiccsa.org
Participants are matched with a volunteer instructor specifically trained in ski instruction for the participant’s disability. The program begins in early January and concludes mid-February. Lessons are held Monday through Thursday and on Sunday; lessons last for 6 weeks.
Cross Country Skiing
616.328.4449
Contact: Tom Hernon
Tom developed a snow chair o help wheelchair users get around on snow. This low cost adaptive device gives wheelers independence on snow. For more information, log on to back2sports.net or usdluge@yahoo.com.
Grand Rapids Wheelchair Sports Association (GRWSA)
Contact: Maria Besta (President), 616.242.0352
GRWSA helps those with disabilities by orienting them to a variety of adaptive sports and with funding to participate in those sports, including an adaptive golf program, adaptive tennis lessons, adaptive basketball, and other adaptive sports. GRWSA along with Kentwood Parks and Recreation/BlazeSports, the Mary Free Bed Guild, and Airway Oxygen coordinate the Wheelchair Sports Camp held every summer at Grand Valley State University.
Kentwood Parks and Recreation/BlazeSports
355 48th Street SE
Kentwood, MI 49548
Contact: Val Romeo, 616.656.5275
Kentwood Parks and Recreation/BlazeSports offers a variety of sports opportunities, including golf, bowling, tennis lessons, line dancing, swimming lessons, computer classes, water ski programs, snowmobiling, bocce ball, and special events.
Kentwood Rollers Adaptive Basketball
616.656.5275
Contact: Val Romeo
The Kentwood Rollers are a d3 competitive adult basketball team. This program is sponsored by Kentwood Parks and Recreation/Blaze Sports. Practices are held every Wednesday from 7:00pm to 9:00pm from September to the end of February. To participate, fundraising is required.
Luge Clinic
616.328.4449
Contact: Tom Hernon
Tom is available to teach wheelchair users that come to Muskegon Winter Sports Complex with their school, club, or for open sessions with advanced notice. For more information, log on to back2sports.net or usdluge@yahoo.com.
Pacers Adaptive Basketball
616.242.0352
Contact: Maria Besta
The Pacers is an adult basketball team. This program is sponsored by the Grand Rapids Wheelchair Sports Association.
Tennis
616.748.0468 or email lyncurt10s@yahoo.com
Contact: Lynn Bender
Adult adaptive tennis is for individuals that are 16 years of age and older. No prior knowledge of tennis is necessary. Practices are held at Orchards Hills Athletic Club on Thursdays from 8:00pm to 10:00pm and Saturdays from 2:00pm to 4:00pm. There is no cost to participate. Participants can play at a competitive level and participatein a traveling team throughout the US and Canada. Individuals wanting a new recreational opportunity can also participate (without travel). This opportunity is sponsored by Grand Rapids Wheelchair Sports Association. Participants will need to bring their own tennis racket. Tennis chair provided by GRWSA to borrow until you decide you would like to purchase your own chair.
Up/Down Tennis Tournament
616.656.5275
Contact: Val Romeo
Individuals with disabilities are paired to compete with an able bodied person.
Resources
Access to Recreation Catalog
8 Sandra Court
Newberry Park, CA 91320
800.634.4351
This catalog features a variety of adaptive equpiment for adaptive sports and hobbies.
DNR (Department of Natural Resources)
Grand Rapids District Headquarters
State Office Building 6th Floor
350 Ottawa NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
616.456.5071
Applications for permits to Hunt from a Standing Vehicle, Hunting with a Crossbow, Hunting with a Modified Bow, and Hunting using an ORV are available at the DNR. You must meet specific criteria to be eligible for each indiviual permit. Applications can also be obtained by calling 616.242.0443.
Equestrian Center for Therapeutic Horseback Riding
3777 Rector NE
Rockford, MI 49341
616.866.3066
Contact: Laurie Lally
The center provides horseback riding for individuals with disabilities.
Kent District Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
3350 Michael SW
Wyoming, MI 49509
616.647.3980
This program offers books on tape that is funded through the Federal Government for individuals who are blind, deaf/blind, visaully impaired, or who have a physical handicap or reading disability. There is no cost to participate in the program but will require a therapist to fill out paperwork or sign off on the document.
Kentwood Parks and Recreation/ BlazeSports
355 48th Street SE
Kentwood, MI 49548
616.656.5274
Contact: Val Romeo
Kentwood Parks and Recreation offers a variety of sports opportunities including golf, bowling, tennis lessons, line dancing, swimming lessons, computer classes, water ski programs, and special events.