Tomorrow will be the 20th anniversary of our first Game-Set-Match Wheelchair Tennis event. I chose the date, Nov. 16th, well before we had any idea that daughter Elise’s due date would be that very day. Fortunately, Elise did not arrive until 4 days later. I performed my MC duties (with my team’s help), and Connie (at a very pregnant 9 months) was able to escort Martina Navratilova for the day.
The reasons for the event were as follows:
1. Increase awareness in the able-bodied community concerning spinal cord injuries and paralysis
2. Present role models (in the form of the participants) to others in the community who have physical challenges
3. Provide education and recognition concerning on-going research and advances at the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
4. Provide inspiration and knowledge for school children about recreational sports, physical challenges, and life-long health and fitness
The participants in the event were: tennis pros Martina Navratilova, Zina Garrison, and Chris Woodruff, UT tennis standout Peter Handoyo, #1 Pro Wheelchair Tennis Athlete and Olympic Gold Medalist Steve Welch, former #1 Pro Wheelchair Tennis Athlete and Olympic Gold Medalist Randy Snow, and top ten Wheelchair Athletes Sharon Clark and Hope Lewellyn.
Over 500 middle school children saw the athletes in action at their schools and heard their incredible stories of overcoming tremendous obstacles. Approximately 400 people attended the tennis exhibition (75 were physically challenged individuals). The event won the Southern Tennis Association Special Event of the Year.
Everyone had a great time! And I made lifetime friends!
Game-Set-Match Wheelchair Tennis Event
The reasons for the event were as follows:
1. Increase awareness in the able-bodied community concerning spinal cord injuries and paralysis
2. Present role models (in the form of the participants) to others in the community who have physical challenges
3. Provide education and recognition concerning on-going research and advances at the Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center and the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis
4. Provide inspiration and knowledge for school children about recreational sports, physical challenges, and life-long health and fitness
The participants in the event were: tennis pros Martina Navratilova, Zina Garrison, and Chris Woodruff, UT tennis standout Peter Handoyo, #1 Pro Wheelchair Tennis Athlete and Olympic Gold Medalist Steve Welch, former #1 Pro Wheelchair Tennis Athlete and Olympic Gold Medalist Randy Snow, and top ten Wheelchair Athletes Sharon Clark and Hope Lewellyn.
Over 500 middle school children saw the athletes in action at their schools and heard their incredible stories of overcoming tremendous obstacles. Approximately 400 people attended the tennis exhibition (75 were physically challenged individuals). The event won the Southern Tennis Association Special Event of the Year.
Everyone had a great time! And I made lifetime friends!