There are about one million people with disabilities in Southern California, and at least 100,000 of them primarily have mobility disorders. Sled hockey is a great sport to start here because there are so few sporting options for people with mobility disorders. Yes, there are challenge leagues that cater to persons with intellectual disorders, and, of course, there are the Special Olympics. Many people don't realize that there is a qualifying I.Q. for competing in the Special Olympics, and if your I.Q. is over the threshold, you do not get to compete.
I'm not knocking the Special Olympics. They are a great organization that does a lot of good for people. I have known people who have competed in them, and I have known family of some of the competitors as well. Everyone I ask has nothing but good things to say about the organization.
But, what sporting options are there if your intellect is intact, but your body doesn't work right? Many people injure their spinal cords in accidents each year. Many veterans are coming back with injuries or amputations. Many people are also born with things such as cerebral palsy and spina bifida that impair mobility but do not necessarily affect the intellect.
Yes, there is a smattering of sporting options for physically disabled persons around, but not many. Now, it's true that not every person with a mobility disorder will be interested in sports, just as not every able-bodied person is interested in joining a sports team. But, whether or not you're interested, you have that option if you are not disabled. You can always rest in the idea that you could join a sport if you really wanted to, and maybe someday you will want to. If you are disabled, however, you don't get that assurance.
You are repeatedly told your body is broken. You are humiliated by having to enter through the back door of restaurants and wheeling out into the street when there are no curb cutouts. Strangers make assumptions that if you cannot walk, you also must be stupid. Plus, many people doubt your disability ("Haha, I saw your legs move. You're faking it!" some people will say. The comeback? "A newborn baby can move its legs, too, but does that mean it can walk?")
A lot of people with physical disabilities want to compete in sports to keep their pride and show the world that although they are broken, they are not beaten.
SoCal Sled Hockey fills a need that is important, and it does small part in filling the hole created by the dearth of sports options in our area for the persons with mobility impairments.
We're in the process of raising money and raising awareness so we can resume our program. It was cut short due to lack of funds and lack of equipment. But, we hope to be holding regular practices and even games again in the Spring of 2011.
In the meantime, consider how you might be able to help. Maybe you can spread awareness by telling your friends about it. Maybe you can volunteer to come to the practices and/or the games to help out as a volunteer. Maybe you can donate some money or equipment to help us. Maybe you can point us in a direction for funding or volunteers that we didn't know about.
If you can help, contact us at IESledHockey@aol.com
SoCal Sled Hockey fills a need that is important, and it does small part in filling the hole created by the dearth of sports options in our area for the persons with mobility impairments.
We're in the process of raising money and raising awareness so we can resume our program. It was cut short due to lack of funds and lack of equipment. But, we hope to be holding regular practices and even games again in the Spring of 2011.
In the meantime, consider how you might be able to help. Maybe you can spread awareness by telling your friends about it. Maybe you can volunteer to come to the practices and/or the games to help out as a volunteer. Maybe you can donate some money or equipment to help us. Maybe you can point us in a direction for funding or volunteers that we didn't know about.
If you can help, contact us at IESledHockey@aol.com
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