Redefining Disability
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REDEFINING DISABILITY 2020 IMPACT REPORT Move United uses the power of sport to push what’s possible for people with disabilities, confronting ignorance, fueling conversation, and inciting action that leads us to a world where everyone’s included. Move United is the national leader in community adaptive sports, empowering 100,000 youth and adults with disabilities each year to live to their fullest potential through a network of 200 member organizations in 43 states. SPORTS MAKE US MORE As president of Move United, I have witnessed the transformative power that sports have on the lives of the individuals we serve. Through sports, youth and adults with disabilities get stronger every day, physically, mentally and socially. This past year was a monumental year for adaptive sports as Disabled Sports USA and Adaptive Sports USA merged to become Move United. Leveraging more than 110 years of combined adaptive sports experience, this new organization will lead the movement to fully include people with disabilities in American society, using sport to challenge perceptions and redefine ability for youth and adults with disabilities. Move United’s name reflects the vision of the organization to lead a united movement creating opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities, so no one sits on the sidelines. Move United’s member network will soon encompass more than 200 chapters in 43 states, offering 100,000 youth and adults with disabilities opportunities to participate and compete in more than 70 different adaptive sports. On behalf of Move United’s Board of Directors, please allow me to share this Impact Report with you and also thank you for supporting our efforts and making a difference in the lives of the people we serve. Sincerely, John Blossom President, Move United BOARD OF DIRECTORS John Blossom (President) Phyllis Bayer Alexander Garner Marya Propis Will Reynolds (Vice President) Ed Bronsdon Lori High Nicole Roundy Keri Serota (Secretary) Clayton Frech Eric Kuwana Joe Walsh REDEFINING DISABILITY 2020 posed unprecedented challenges, many of which were not on our radar at the start of the year. In March 2020, our adaptive sports programs across the country paused operations or significantly modified programming due to the COVID-19 pandemic. All of us had to adapt, and it is fortunate that adaptation is a core skill within our community. By April, Move United launched the #AdaptAtHome initiative, providing opportunities to stay active and healthy while remaining safe at home. COVID-19 also impacted the launch of the USA Wheelchair Football League in partnership with the NFL and the Bob Woodruff Foundation. The merger of Disabled Sports USA and Adaptive Sports USA in April 2020 benefits our community and forms the new brand, Move United. The merger establishes Move United as the leader in community based adaptive sports, creates increased opportunities for more people with disabilities and builds greater support for local programs. This growth is directly linked to our Vision 2028, to ensure at least 90% of the American population is within driving distance to a Move United member organization. We know the unique role sport can play in facilitating change and our movement will help build a world where everyone is included and no one sits on the sidelines. This year has reminded us of the inequities that still exist across the nation, and Move United has carefully examined our own efforts around diversity, equity and inclusion. With a mission centered around inclusion, we reflect that there is work to be done to support communities of color and others who are underrepresented within the adaptive sports industry. We continue to invest resources, and created a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Leadership Team with a staff DEI leadership role to support a truly inclusive environment in our organization. I hope you will read this report and see for yourself the impact you have had on Move United’s programs and activities. Thank you for supporting us and promoting the power of adaptive sports to our athletes. If you are not yet involved, I invite you to join the movement. Thank you, Glenn Merry Executive Director, Move United BUILDING A COMMUNITY Move United granted over $2,165,599 to chapters in WA VT MT ME these states this year. ND OR MN NH ALABAMA $6,449 MONTANA $20,000 MA ID SD WI NY ALASKA $7,500 NEW YORK $79,752 WY MI RI CT ARIZONA NEW HAMPSHIRE IA $96,491 $113,464 PA NJ NV NE OH DE CALIFORNIA $291,835 NORTH CAROLINA $54,000 UT IL IN CA CO WV MD COLORADO OHIO VA $126,145 $54,779 KS MO KY DC CONNECTICUT $34,150 OKLAHOMA $13,000 NC TN OK D.C. $1,500 OREGON $77,501 AZ AR NM SC FLORIDA $54,797 PENNSYLVANIA $17,050 AL GA MS GEORGIA $96,839 SOUTH CAROLINA $13,295 TX LA IDAHO $352,148 TENNESSEE $43,500 AK FL ILLINOIS $133,675 TEXAS $26,850 INDIANA $25,000 UTAH $32,500 HI MAINE $34,250 VERMONT $21,100 MASSACHUSETTS $800 VIRGINIA $79,155 MARYLAND $45,306 WASHINGTON $8,269 Represents states with MINNESOTA $54,934 WEST VIRGINIA $10,500 Move United member organizations MISSOURI $188,752 WYOMING $4,575 A NATIONAL MOVEMENT As a grassroots adaptive sports movement, Move United’s member organizations are the backbone. Each year, our 200 member organizations provide over 100,000 individuals with disabilities opportunities to participate in 70 sports! Every organization within Move United’s network has completed a rigorous application to become affiliated and ongoing assessments to ensure they provide the safest, most effective adaptive sports opportunities possible. To help with this shared purpose, Move United offers its members a portfolio of services including: Grant funding for programs and equipment Affordable Group Liability Insurance Sports and operations training Ongoing consultation and advocacy Outreach through Move United magazine, social media, and website Networking and partnership opportunities 840 98 37% SAFESPORT VOUCHERS MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS OF MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS TO 39 MEMBER PARTICIPATING IN MOVE SPEND LESS THAN ORGANIZATIONS UNITED’S INSURANCE PROGRAM $100,000 ANNUALLY POWER OF SPORT Move United Warfighters offers sports rehabilitation for veterans and members of the Armed Services with physical disabilities. Since its inception, Move United Warfighters has proudly served more than 16,000 wounded warriors and their family members, including those injured in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, at no cost to the warfighter or family. After graduating college Christy Gardner joined the U.S. Army. While serving as an MP (military police) during an Asia peacekeeping mission, she would sustain an injury as a result of a Line of Duty incident in 2006, sustaining a brain injury, a spinal cord injury, and eventually the amputation of both legs. While she worked to rehabilitate her body, she also re-learned everything starting from a 3rd grade level and eventually choosing to go back to college. A long road of recovery didn’t keep Gardner from pursuing sports. Once she was cleared for exercise, she attended various clinics hosted by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs focused on skiing, snowboarding, basketball, field hockey and other adaptive sports. Sled hockey piqued her interest and she has now been an active member of the U.S. Women’s National Sled Hockey team for several years, serving as an assistant captain for three of them. But she continues to excel 1,940 as a multi-sport athlete. Recently, Gardner joined the U.S Parasurfing Team, but her big focus WARRIORS, FAMILY AND STAFF SERVED THIS YEAR now is training to compete in shotput and discus at the Summer Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Besides sports, the retired Army Sergeant is passionate about service animals. In addition to her 275 dog, Moxie, she has helped with fostering and training other dogs as well. Gardner has also joined MILITARY MEDICAL CENTER PARTNERS the board of directors of Central Maine Adaptive Sport, a Move United member organization. There she has played a role in starting new programs for youth in sled hockey, track and field, 1,1OO+ kayaking, and cycling. And she continues to serve as a Move United Warfighters Ambassador. PROGRAM DAYS PROVIDED THIS YEAR THIS ABLED Casey Followay attended an Adaptive Sports Day organized by the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana, a Move United member organization, a moment that forever changed his life. “I grew up being around able-bodied people, so I didn’t know anything like that existed,” he said. “From that day forward, it changed my outlook on life. I had better self-esteem and then knew that I could accomplish anything.” Followay, who has spina bifida, a congenital spine defect that left his legs paralyzed, was introduced to various sports there, including wheelchair racing, basketball and tennis. He immediately latched onto racing. When he moved back to Ohio with his family, they came to the realization that there weren’t many adaptive sports opportunities “Adaptive in their area, with the exception of a local sled hockey program. sports But he was able to continue his passion and interest in wheelchair racing. In fact, that year he found himself setting a changed national record in the 60-meter dash at Junior Nationals, which was only his third track meet. He still holds that record today. my life.” In 2009, his family started Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio (ASPO), a member of the Move United network, in his hometown of Wooster, Ohio. His mom, Lisa, is the organization’s executive director. Followay was named to Move United’s Elite Team in 2016 and received a grant to purchase a new racing chair. “This type of equipment is expensive. I am very honored to be involved with Move United and grateful for the generosity.