Discovering Adaptive Sports and Support Organizations Across Minnesota
On May 19, attendees of the first Adaptive Sports Discovery Expo were encouraged to #DiscoverYourSport. Hosted by Paul’s Pals, the Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, and the University of Minnesota, attendees explored more than 40 organizations offering different sports, activities, and support for the adaptive community throughout Minnesota. After attending the event ourselves and interviewing one of the coordinators, we knew we needed to share these resources with our families. There’s something for everyone!
ARC Minnesota
This community resource helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities find information and support for several topics. Areas of expertise ranges from community engagement and employment to healthcare assistance.
Phone: 952-920-0855
Email: info@arcminnesota.org
GUSU2Cure
Get Up Stand Up To Cure Paralysis focuses on uniting and educating the community to support and advocate for the restoration of function in Spinal Cord injury.
Contact: Rob Wudlick
Email: rob@gusu2cure.org
Website: gusu2cure.org
Minnesota Spina Bifida Association
The Minnesota Spina Bifida Association works to promote research into the causes, treatment and prevention of Spina Bifida, while also supporting people with the disease.
Contact: Jim Thayer
Email: sbamn@hotmail.com
Website: mnsba.org
Minneapolis VA Health Care System
Minneapolis VA Health Care System (VAHCS) offers veterans of all ages and abilities the opportunity to be involved in a large range of adaptive sports.
Contact: Janelle Gustafson
Email: janelle.gustafson@va.gov
Website: va.gov/adaptivesports
Minnesota Spinal Cord Injury Association
The Minnesota Spinal Cord Injury Association (MNSCIA) is committed to enriching the lives of people in Minnesota who have been impacted by spinal cord injury or paralysis.
Contact: Jeanne Olson
Email: info@mnscia.org
Website: mnscia.org
Muscular Dystrophy Association
MDA is leading the fight to free individuals — and the families who love them — from the harm of muscular dystrophy, ALS and related muscle-debilitating diseases that take away physical strength, independence and life.
Contact: Natalia Ruberg
Email: nruberg@mdausa.org
Website: mda.org
Paul’s Pals Foundation
Paul’s Pals raises funds, then screens and partners with trusted organizations to make their best adaptive projects happen and help thousands of kids and families across Minnesota live fuller lives.
Contact: Jennifer Lewin
Email: jennifer@pauls-pals.org
Website: pauls-pals.org
Sports & Orthopaedic Specialists
For over a decade, Sports and Orthopaedic Specialists has provided unsurpassed orthopedic and sports medicine care.
Pheon: 952-946-9777
Website: sportsandortho.com
UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation
The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) offers timely financial support to families, so they can focus on what is most important – improving the quality of life of their child.
Contact: Cara Gulbronson
Email: cara.gulbronson@uhc.com
Website: uhccf.org
University of Minnesota Disability Resource Center
The DRC collaborates with all members of the University community to improve access for people with disabilities.
Email: drc@umn.edu
Wiggle Your Toes
This organization focuses on empowering those who have lost a limb to move forward, take action, and get back to the life they want.
Contact: Mark Mann
Email: mark@wiggleyourtoes.org
Website: wiggleyourtoes.org
Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute
These facilities provide rehabilitation services for people with short- and long-term conditions, injuries, and disabilities.
Sports & Recreation Department: CKRIsportsrecreation@allina.com
Aquatics & Fitness: kevin.alexander@allina.com
Courage Kenny Kids: allinahealth.org/couragekenny
CrossFit 5885 Adaptive
Because CrossFit is designed for scalability based on an individual’s experience or ability, it is the perfect option for adaptive athletes working toward fitness and health goals.
Contact: Jonathan Jensen
Email: jonnyj@crossfit5885.com
Website: crossfit5885.com
Dare2Tri USA Paratriathlon
Dare2Tri empowers individuals with disabilities and gives them the opportunity to be physically active, engaged with their community, and helps them set and reach goals.
Contact: Krist Swarthout
Email: info@dare23tri.org
Website: www.dare2tri.org
FlexAbility Fitness
FlexAbility is about creating fitness programs for people of all abilities, whether through personal training, inclusive small group play, lifestyle & weight management counseling, or open gym events.
Contact: Tonya Andruskiewicz
Email: 1dandylife@gmail.com
Website: flexabilityfitness.com
FREE-DAPTIVE Divers
FREE-DAPTIVE DIVERS offers initial and on-going scuba experiences to the adaptive needs community with introductory scuba diving sessions and certification level training.
Contact: Richard Kline
Email: freedaptive@gmail.com
Website: freedaptive.org
Mind Body Solutions
This non-profit offers adaptive yoga for people living with disabilities through their Open Yoga to Everyone program.
Email: bethany@mindbodysolutions.org
Website: mindbodysolutions.org
Mini Hops
Mini Hops offers adaptive gymnastics for children ages 3 and up with intellectual and physical disabilities. Additionally, they offer adaptive dance, karate, and 1:1 classes.
Email: jess.james@mini-hops.com
Website: mini-hops.com
Minneapolis Parks and Recreation
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is committed to making all of its programs accessible to anyone, but also offers an adaptive sport sampler for kids with disabilities.
Contact: Sarah Thorsen
Email: sthorsen@minneapolisparks.org
Website: minneapolisparks.org
MN Disabled Hockey
Disabled Hockey Programs prove that hockey is for everybody. These programs are divided into five disciplines: Standing/Amputee, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Sled, Warriors and Special Hockey.
Contact: Tony Lang
Email: Tony@mnsledhockey.com
Website: mnsledhockey.org
National Jr. Disability Championships Twin Cities 2019
The Twin Cities will be the host of the 2019 National Jr. Disability Championships, – a weeklong national championship for athletes with a physical disability or visual impairment through age 22.
Contact: Jon Dennis
Email: jonrdennis@gmail.com
Website: adaptivesportsusa.org
North Country Region Volleyball
This organization offers sitting volleyball, with clinics focusing on movement training, ball handling fundamentals, attacking, serving, and other sitting rules.
Contact: Linzy Bannie
Email: linzy@ncrusav.org
Website: ncrusav.org
North Star Community Rowing
Through its adaptive program, North Star Community Rowing provides opportunities for adults and adolescents with physician disabilities to develop strength, learn to row, and build camaraderie.
Contact: Kim Noha
Email: knoha@northstarcommunityrowing.org
Website: northstarcommunityrowing.org
Midwest Climbing Academy
Adaptive climbing nights are offered monthly to create an inclusive climbing community for athletes with physical or cognitive disabilities in the Twin Cities.
Contact: Ali Bradway
Email: ali@midwestclimbingacademy.com
Website: midwestclimbingacademy.com
Padraig’s Place Adaptive Winter Sports
Padraig’s Place, a local non-profit organization, and Buck Hill Ski and Snowboard School have come together to provide a fun experience for skiers and snowboarders with both physical and cognitive disabilities.
Contact: Brian Foley
Email: brian@padraigsplace.org
Website: padraigsplace.org
Swim Possible
Swim Possible provides quiet, safe and calming classes that are customized for students who need a gentle approach to learning how to swim.
Contact: Sonja Brown
Email: swimpossible.sonja@gmail.com
Website: swimpossible.org
Three Rivers Park District
Three Rivers partners with several organizations to provide a variety of adapted programs and offers adapted programs for a variety of activities throughout the year.
Contact: Tracy Tabaka
Email: tracy.tabaka@threeriversparks.org
Website: threeriversparks.org
Twin Cities Adaptive Cycling
TCAC provides customized adaptive bicycle fittings and low-cost regular use of their bicycles, comprehensive education and training, and opportunities for group rides.
Contact: Caito Bowles-Roth
Email: TCACycling@gmail.com
Website: tcacycling.org
U.S. Paralympic Nordic Skiing
Paralympic Nordic skiing competition is open to athletes with physical disabilities such as amputation/limb loss, blindness/visual impairment, spinal cord injury/wheelchair-users and cerebral palsy/brain injury/stroke.
Contact: BethAnn M. Chamberlain
Email: Bethann.chamberlain@gmail.com
Website: teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Sports/Nordic-Skiing
USTA Northern
USTA offers camp for children ages 12-18 with a permanent disabling condition who uses a wheelchair for sports, as well as All Comes Camp for wheelchair tennis.
Contact: Mya Smith-Dennis
Email: mya@northern.usta.com
Website: usta.com/northern
Wayzata Community Sailing
The Wayzata Community Sailing Center offers clients with adaptive needs the opportunity to experience sailing for the first time or learn more about sailing than they already know.
Contact: Ernest Brody
Email: ernest@wayzatasailing.org
Website: www.wayzatasailing.org
We Love To Play
The mission of this organization is to provide ongoing adapted recreational sports for adults with disabilities – including floor hockey, softball, and football.
Contacts: Poppy Sundquist & Charie Brose
Email: charlieb@welovetoplay.org
Website: welovetoplay.org
West Metro Miracle Athletics
West Metro Miracle Athletics provides children with disabilities the opportunity to play baseball, basketball, and kickball, regardless of their abilities.
Contact: Tonya Andruskiewicz
Email: westmetromiracleathletics@gmail.com
Website: westmetromiracleathletics.com
Wilderness Inquiry
Wilderness Inquiry provides great outdoor adventures for adults and conducts award-winning programs introducing youth, families, and people with disabilities to the natural world.
Contact: Suzanne Huggett
Email: suzanne@widlernessinquiry.org
Website: wildernessinquiry.org
Young Dance
Young Dance encourages peer-to-peer mentorship and collaboration in the making of dances through engagement of youth of all abilities.
Contact: Gretchen Pick
Email: info@youngdance.org
Website: youngdance.org
BioDapt
BioDapt designs, manufactures, and distributes high performance lower limb prosthetic components for action sports and other similar activities.
Contact: Sara Schultz
Email: sara@biodaptinc.com
Website: www.biodaptinc.com
ColoPlast
ColoPlast develops products and services to make life easier for people with ostomy, bladder & bowel, wound, skin, and surgical urology needs.
Contact: Megan Stadelman
Email: usmgje@coloplast.com
Website: www.coloplast.us
Originally published: May 24, 2018