The RHI Foundation funds the RHI Adaptive Sports Program, a community-based program offering persons with physical disabilities the opportunity to participate in competitive and recreational team sports, elite/Paralympic athletic programs, and about 20 recreational sport clinics per year. This program provides those living with a physical disability the opportunity to participate in adaptive sports and recreation, increasing their feelings of connection, confidence, purpose, meaning, possibility, thrill, and joy. 

Mission of the RHI Adaptive Sports Program

The Adaptive Sports Program's mission is to provide competitive and non-competitive athletic opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities to enhance quality of life, promote physical fitness, introduce recreational and wheelchair sports and challenge participants to perform at a competitive level. RHISP is committed to providing more than just adaptive sport and recreation services to the community. With dignity as its cornerstone, RHISP believes sports, recreation, and leisure play important roles in the intrinsic motivation of persons with physical disabilities to re-enter the workforce, develop strong social skills, and improve levels of physical fitness. Moreover, participation in adaptive recreational and competitive sports decreases suicidal tendencies, secondary medical complications, depression, stress, and isolation. Providing participants opportunities to engage in challenging experiences where they may succeed or fail based on their own abilities, leisure attitudes, and athletic prowess is what identifies RHISP as a life-changing community program.

History of the Program

The Adaptive Sports Program began in 1996 with an adaptive water ski clinic, created by therapists at RHI to provide opportunities for patients to remain active and integrated into the community after discharge. The program grew over the years, becoming a Paralympic Sport Club in 2008 and providing monthly recreational clinics and Paralympic sports including racing, quad rugby, wheelchair basketball, and power soccer.

Current Offerings

The Adaptive Sports Program currently sponsors 11 sports teams (competitive and recreational) including youth basketball, varsity basketball, adult basketball, power soccer, beep baseball, wheelchair & adaptive standing tennis, lacrosse, sled hockey, blind hockey, quad rugby, and swimming. Paralympic/elite sport athletes include fencing, para-power lifting, para-triathlon, water skiing, racing, track and field, and archery.

Recreational clinics are held nearly twice per month (2-4 hours, commonly on a weekend) including snow skiing, water skiing, kayaking, sailing, rowing, scuba diving, track & field, hand cycling, racing, sit volleyball, boccia ball, pickleball, tennis, table tennis, fencing, zip-lining, rock climbing, horseback riding, ballroom dancing, bowling, Kali self-defense, and so much more!

To get more information about the RHI Adaptive Sports Program, call (317) 329-2020.

Donate to the Adaptive Sports Program