SportAbility allows all to participate in sports

I would like to introduce a great organization in Eastern Iowa called SportAbility, which helps disabled athletes participate in sports. Considering not only the daily needs of an individual with physical disabilities, but also problems with finding the equipment, locations and fellow athletes, it's no wonder the federal Centers for Disease Control states that disabled adults are 58 percent more likely to be obese than those without them.

SportAbility helps by providing equipment for athletes to play in and with, places for them to play, fellow athletes to play with, and a welcoming environment. Doing this is difficult - the man hours to get everything needed and the costs associated with it. That's why I want to thank the following.

Thanks to Jack Ehereman and Jayden Barret, who deal with the paperwork, logistics and day-to-day needs of SportAbility, and Ehereman for running a sports camp every year for disabled youths at the University of Northern Iowa campus. I thank UNI for letting us hold that camp and also for allowing the Iowa Chairiots, SportAbility's basketball game, play at half-time during the Dec. 7 game. Thanks to the Pizza Ranch in Marion for allowing us to hold fundraisers there every month.

If you want to learn more about SportAbility, our events or how you can help, please visit our website at www.sportabilityofiowa.org or email jack@sportabilityofiowa.org or jayden@sportabilityofiowa.org

Travis V. Larson

Marion