About the Program
The JAHVH Adaptive Sports Program was developed when the need for active involvement in adaptive sports, outdoor recreation and fitness programs grew for our service members returning from the current war with severe neurological and physical injuries. The Adaptive Sports Program embarks on new avenues of recreational and competitive sports that have helped our injured active-duty service members and disabled veterans achieve a lifelong mission of optimal rehabilitation and healthy leisure lifestyles. The results have been astounding. Through this program, many participants have experienced our ongoing adaptive sports and recreation programs, camps and clinics in golf, kayaking, archery, etc., and have gone on to serve as peer mentors for newly injured participants in the program and acute rehab patients.
Several of the program’s disabled athletes have been identified by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) as potential USA Paralympic Team athletes, with goals of competing in both the summer and winter Paralympic games. The overall goal of the program is for participants to pursue an independent, active and healthy leisure lifestyle in their respective communities and become role models for newly injured service members. The program is primary funding though donations, grant support and some station funds.
Criteria for Participation
All injured active-duty service members and disabled veterans are encouraged to be involved in some sort of active leisure lifestyle post-injury. To become a participant you should:
- Be enrolled at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital
- Have an interest in adaptive sports, outdoor recreation and/or fitness activities
- Be medically stable and cleared for active participation
- Obtain consult from primary physician for “RMS Rec Adaptive Sports” evaluation
- Complete sports evaluation for full assessment
Upcoming Events (subject to change)
May
- 10 — Archery / Field Practice - 1p-3p - All People‘s Life Center
- 11-13 — Dixie Games - www.dixiegames.com - All People's Life Center
- 15 — Weightlifting Practice - 5p-7p - All People‘s Life Center
- 18 — PVA Billiards Tournament - Palm Harbor, FL
- 22 — Weightlifting Practice - 5p-7p - All People‘s Life Center
- 29 — Weightlifting Practice - 5p-7p - All People‘s Life Center
June
- 5 — Swimming Clinic - 9am - New Tampa YMCA
- 5 — Discover SCUBA
- 12 — Weightlifting Practice - 5p-7p - All People‘s Life Center
- 14 — Yoga - 9:30a Yogani Studios
- 15 — Power Soccer National Tourney - All People‘s Life Center
- 19 — Weightlifting Practice - 5p-7p - All People‘s Life Center
- 24-July 1 — National Veterans Wheelchair Games, Richmond, VA
- 29 — US Paralympic Track & Field Trials - Indianapolis, IN
July
- 12 — Yoga - 9:30a Yogani Studios
- 14 — Waterski / Kayak Clinic, UCanSki2 & Tampa River Runner, Lake Seminole
August
- 7 — Discover SCUBA
- 9 — Yoga - 9:30a Yogani Studios
- 27 — Veterans Horseback Riding Program - TiAnViCa Lakeland, FL
- 28 — Strong Dogs Wheelchair Basketball 1st Practice, All People‘s Life Center
- 29-Sep. 9 — Paralympics, London, UK
September
- 9-15 — National Veterans Tee Tournament, Cedar Rapids, IA
- 15-22 — National Veterans Summer Sports Clinic, San Diego, CA
October
- 2 — Discover SCUBA
- 6 — Wheelchair Tennis Clinic - TBD
- 8 — Veterans Horseback Riding Program - TiAnViCa Lakeland, FL
- 11 — Yoga - 9:30a Yogani Studios
- 13 — Wheelchair Tennis Clinic - TBD
- 20 — Wheelchair Tennis Clinic - TBD
- 20 — Yoga - 9:30a Yogani Studios
- 27 — Wheelchair Tennis Clinic - TBD
November
- 8 — Yoga - 9:30a Yogani Studios
- 26 — Veterans Horseback Riding Program - TiAnViCa Lakeland, FL
December
- 13 — Yoga - 9:30a Yogani Studios
Contact Us
For more information on the program, to become a participant, for volunteer opportunities, or program support needs please email vhatamadaptivesports@va.gov or call (813) 972-2000, ext 3946 or ext 5236.
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