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SoCal Adaptive Sports works toward a kinder, accessible, equitable and inclusive world

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SoCal Adaptive Sports works toward a kinder, accessible, equitable and inclusive world

Michael Rosenkrantz
 |  Special to The Desert Sun

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When a group of us incorporated Palms to Pines Parasports (now known as SoCal Adaptive Sports) in May 2020, the future was quite uncertain. As COVID raged throughout the United States, a small group came together with a mission to bring more adapted sports — i.e. activities for people with disability — not only throughout the Coachella Valley but also throughout Riverside County.

Similar to most businesses, we went through a number of challenges that didn’t always point us in a constructive direction. But we’ve nonetheless ended up providing services throughout southern California.

In looking back, I’m pleased with how SoCal Adaptive Sports has grown. Since living in India and Nepal from 2009 to 2016 I’ve looked at life from a different perspective. I’ve learned that the word “can’t” has no meaning, that it doesn’t matter what abilities somebody has and that everyone possesses an inner athlete.

I’ve learned that nothing is impossible! The organization’s vision of developing greater societal inclusion is something I take to heart. On a daily basis we work to level the playing field, creating opportunities and greater access for people with disability.

On a macro level this is about enabling people with disability to have full societal access. Goal 10 of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals is “reducing inequalities,” which speaks to this important work.

On a daily basis SoCal Adaptive Sports, along with our numerous partners, provides a range of adapted sports. These include: working with Desert Arc athletes in both Yucca Valley and Palm Desert on a weekly basis; offering pickleball at Pickled Bar in Palm Desert; providing archery at Robin Hood Archery in Indio; hosting sports at Olive Crest in Palm Desert and bowling at Fantasy Springs and Yucca Bowl; and providing after school sports in Yucca, Riverside and Rancho Cucamonga.

On weekends, we offer hiking in collaboration with Friends of the Desert Mountains, a program started from nothing, which is now four years old. We have also started a new golf program at Desert Willow with the goal of founding a Special Olympics golf team. We go sailing with California Inclusive Sailing in Newport Beach and Challenged Sailors in San Diego, and we provide adapted sports at Alzheimer’s Coachella Valley on a monthly basis.

Our weekends are full. Other activities include a partnership with the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens, USTA and others on the first wheelchair tennis camp at this location. In December we will celebrate World Disability Day for the third year in a row at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, and a New Year’s Eve party is planned for people with disability and their family members.

SoCal Adaptive Sports is also planning for next year when we will work with some new populations, including little persons and victims of gun violence. And more new sports are on the way.

The work of an NGO/nonprofit never stops, although at some point I’d like to see us go out of business — due to every municipality throughout Southern California and the U.S. offering equitable access to adapted sports. I know this will take longer than what I have to give, but through organizations like ours and many others I know the work will continue as we advocate for a much kinder, accessible, equitable and inclusive world.

To learn more or to make a donation, visit socaladaptivesports.org.

Michael Rosenkrantz is the executive director for SoCal Adaptive Sports.

Consider volunteering for SoCal Adaptive Sports

Seeking volunteers (18 or older) to assist with administrative and event-related tasks, e.g. coaching, attending hikes. Proficiency with websites and social media are helpful for admin tasks. Contact Rosenkrantz at (760) 469-9207 or via mike@socaladaptivesports.org.

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