U.S. Paralympics partners with Solon organization

SOLON -- U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, and SportAbility of Iowa in Solon have partnered to create Paralympic Sport –Solon.

Paralympic Sport – Solon is a community-based sports club developed to involve youth and adults with physical and visual disabilities in ongoing sports and physical activity, regardless of skill level. All programs and activities will be held throughout Eastern Iowa and run by SportAbility of Iowa.

"U.S. Paralympics is dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals with physical and visual disabilities to be physically active in their own communities," said Mike Mushett, U.S. Paralympics director of community programs. "Participation in physical activity enhances not only self-esteem and peer relationships, but also results in greater achievement, better overall health and higher quality of life."

SportAbility of Iowa is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded on Jan. 1, 2010, that provides ongoing sports and recreation programs to help people with physical disabilities and visual impairments enjoy an active lifestyle.

Although its offices are located in Solon, SportAbility of Iowa collaborates with various community partners to provide recreational programming and hold local competitive sports events to individuals with and without physical disabilities and visual impairments throughout Eastern Iowa.

Sportability of Iowa's partners include the University of Iowa, UI Hospitals and Clinics, the Iowa City VA Health Care System, the Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund, schools in the Grant Wood Area Education Agency, and local park and recreation agencies.

More than 21 million Americans are living with a physical or visual disability, including thousands of military personnel who've been severely injured while on active duty.