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Program opens playing field to disabled children
By JANEL STEPHENS TAMPA -- The 13-year-old girl cruised onto the basketball court in her pink wheelchair. "Yo, Lisa!" a teammate called to her. She grinned and waved back. On court, she becomes Lisa Leslie, USA Olympic gold medalist and star center for the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA. Off court, she's Kimberly Schwartz, a Walker Middle School sixth-grader with spina bifida, a spinal disorder that affects one of every 1,000 newborns in the United States. The disorder hasn't kept Kimberly from trying new things, including horseback riding and roller coasters. Her latest adventure is joining an introductory basketball program at the All People's Life Center on Sligh Avenue. The 10-week program is sponsored by BlazeSports Club of Tampa Bay, in partnership with the Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Department. The charter club, one of 10 in the nation, is a legacy of the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games. Organizers wanted to provide a comprehensive, community-based sports and physical activity program for disabled youths, said Andy Chasanoff, sports coordinator for the Tampa club. "We want kids to focus on their ability and not their disability," Chasanoff said. The program includes swimming, track and field, tennis and rugby. The basketball program focuses on passing, dribbling, defense and shooting. Kenjy Asin, 15, thought sports were out of the question after a bus accident caused both of his legs to be amputated. "I thought I would stay and watch other kids play," said the Plant High School student. But now Asin plans to try out for track and field next spring. "Exercise is really important for everyone, and people with disabilities are no exception," said Adriane Griffen, director of public health programs for Spina Bifida Association of America. "A lot of times people see disabilities as a hindrance or a barrier to exercise, but it doesn't have to be." Mike Schwartz never expected to see his youngest daughter play basketball. Kimberly was born with a hole the size of a small fist in the middle of her back. A test that checks for a specific protein that is released in the blood when the spinal column doesn't close failed to detect the problem, Schwartz said. The test is 80 to 85 percent accurate. A more accurate test, amniocentesis, would probably have detected spinal bifida. On this Saturday afternoon, Schwartz watches from the sideline as Kimberly rolls closer to the basket for a layup. She misses and tries again. This time, it's nothing but net. "They're going to have to change your name to Kim O'Neill," her father says. Kimberly beams.
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From the Times |
