Quality of Life Grantee Spotlight: Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Sports for Kids Program

Lack of transportation can present a significant barrier for many living with paralysis, especially children. Shirley Ryan AbilityLab's Tengelsen Family Foundation Sports for Kids Program has worked to address this challenge by offering free door-to-door transportation for athletes — from within Chicago city limits to and from dozens of no-cost adaptive activities.

“We host a range of programs throughout the year with activities tailored to ages seven to 17, including wheelchair football, basketball and softball, as well as adaptive swimming, climbing, sled hockey, kayaking, tennis, archery, sailing, pickleball, karate and more,” says Derek Daniels, who has led the Sports for Kids Program for more than 15 years.

Last year, the program received a $24,999 Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Quality of Life grant to fund most of the annual cost to contract three buses, which can transport up to 10 kids to weekend and school break sports clinics and weeklong summer camps.

“Most youth who utilize our free transportation offering live in low-income areas on the south and west sides of Chicago,” says Daniels. “They would not be able to gain access to our programming if we did not pick them up at their homes.”

Daniels continues, “A typical sports practice or clinic day has 25 kids, and our goal is to reach 150 total participants this year and 175 the following year. We have a core group of kids who play a sport consistently and another group of kids who try different activities.”

While Daniels underscores the importance of keeping kids active, he believes the true highlight is the strong social bonds and support networks formed among the children and families who often stay in touch and encourage each other's participation.

“Many don’t go to the same school, but they keep tabs on each other via phone. Others connect to play video games,” says Daniels. “We offer a safe place for these kids to express themselves and build friendships while promoting an active lifestyle that will ultimately empower them to become healthy, self-sufficient adults.”

Last summer, several wheelchair softball alumni returned to the program to talk with the current participants about their experiences in college and getting a job. There is also a strong connection to Paralympians, with multiple athletes from the program going on to compete in track and field and sled hockey, cycling and swimming.

The Sports for Kids Program boasts an incredible 100% high school graduation rate among its participants, with some receiving full scholarships to college. This is in stark contrast to a study by the Chicago Community Trust that found half of people with disabilities in the Chicago area either do not finish high school or only have a high school diploma.

“Without this transportation service, more than 50% of these children would be unable to participate in programming,” says Daniels. “We’re creating something much bigger than ourselves. I see sport as advocacy and engagement.”

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab's adaptive sports program has existed for 45 years, with youth programs starting 25 years ago. Outreach efforts include encouraging participation among Shirley Ryan AbilityLab patients; meeting with Chicago Public Schools therapists and caseworkers; and maintaining a strong relationship with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

“We are also a global destination for adaptive sports, and have welcomed groups from more than 70 countries that have come to learn about the program,” says Daniels. “We currently are hosting individuals from South Korea and The Gambia who are here to learn about adaptive sports and develop similar programs in their home countries.”

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab has been designated the No. 1 rehabilitation hospital in America by U.S. News & World Report every year since 1991. A longtime Reeve Foundation research partner, it is the first-ever “translational” research rehabilitation hospital where clinicians and scientists work together to facilitate better, faster recoveries for patients.

Christopher Reeve visited the hospital when it was previously known as the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago and spoke at an event in 2004. The Reeve Foundation has played an important role since, serving as a partner and supporter for decades.

A youth participant named Julian recently reflected on the program’s benefits: “I liked when I got to go really fast and score goals. It was nice that we got to do this today on a day that we didn’t have school and I got to see my friends. I am excited to come back and play again.”

Watch Christopher Reeve’s final public speech, delivered at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago on October 4, 2004.

Learn more about the Reeve Foundation's Quality of Life Grant Program.