STRIDE Adaptive Sports

Going for Gold Every Day

By Linda Waxman Finkle

“1,2,3, Gallos!” shouted the Capital District Sled Warriors as they huddled together, prepping to go for the gold medal game. The seasoned sled hockey team, which had won silver the year before, belted the cheer the entire weekend of the 2020 Empire State Winter Games, acknowledging the tremendous contributions of the Gallo family who couldn’t be there. Equipment manager Don Gallo and his wife, who had made all of the food for the weekend, were home with their son, Derek, who was born with spina bifida, and was one of the team’s best players. He’d recently broken a hip after slipping in the driveway, and the team wanted to make sure that they came through loud and clear – all the way from Lake Placid.

That’s the permeating vibe at STRIDE Adaptive Sports in West Sand Lake. With a full-time staff of just four, and almost 900 committed volunteers, STRIDE offers 18 different sports – including tennis, golf, skiing, dance and swimming – in 28 locations throughout three states. Focusing on individual lifelong sports, with a few exceptions like Sled Hockey and competitive opportunities such as Special Olympics in many sports, their mission is to “educate and empower those with disabilities in life-changing sport and recreation programs to sustain active, healthy and fun lifestyles.”

Kim Wilson, a mom of twins, one born with cerebral palsy who is also on the team, is another critical volunteer who would regularly drive to Rochester to borrow sleds from a team there before they had their own. Students at the Isabelle School of Dance in East Greenbush consider it a “rite of passage” to teach at STRIDE. And companies and organizations like Regeneron, Empire Blue Cross, and the Delmar Fire Dept. actively encourage their employees to get involved. 

  Founded 35 years ago by Mary Ellen Whitney, an adaptive physical education teacher with BOCES, who was troubled by the lack of afterschool activities – including sports, clubs and dances – for the kids whom she served, she started with skiing, giving free lessons at Maple Ski Ridge near Schenectady. Taking kids tent camping in the summer and bowling were next. Today, STRIDE utilizes over 350 trained sports instructors to offer over 11,000 free adaptive lessons annually to those with a diagnosis of a physical, cognitive or mental impairment, including speech delay, dementia, and fetal alcohol syndrome. And, it’s not just for kids anymore – their most “mature” athlete is in her 70s, has multiple sclerosis, had a stroke, and sit-skis.

Program Director Megan Evans discussed the hidden challenges that the athletes face. “These individuals will generally make $10,000 less per year in salary, and have two times the rate of unemployment. Besides the socialization aspect, being involved helps them to stay fit and fight diseases like diabetes.”

And, that involvement continues to grow. Last year, 152 new athletes signed on for programs, 2,400 families were served, a Discovery Day was held for Bocce – the process for introducing any new sport – and over 51,000 volunteer hours were recorded.

Most exciting, was the completion of the new 5,500-square-foot SHARE Center. “We want this to be a community center,” said Megan, “We’ll have Zumba, yoga, and fitness classes available.” The center also houses a wounded warrior/family lounge, a multimedia conference room, and the Capital Region’s first adaptive fitness gym. “Because of several grants including one from the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, they’ll have Cybex weightlifting equipment and an anti-gravity treadmill here,” she explained. 

STRIDE receives no government funding, raising all of its dollars from corporate and individual gifts, grants, in-kind donations, and several unique fundraisers, including the 100K Vertical Challenge at Jiminy Peak and its new Brewfest. Original ideas for programs are always welcomed, with ‘Warrior Wednesdays’ for veterans just added to the schedule. Last year, 115 veterans participated in programs, and this one, which features a mindfulness and meditation class, promises to be a big hit.

So, what challenges does such a successful organization face? “Our swim program needs more volunteers,” Megan offered. “Swimming is huge in the adaptive world, not just for participation, but because of safety. Some with disabilities are drawn to the water, so we need to make sure that they’re safe around it.” Another issue is finding teachers for new sports. “As a figure skater, I’d love to find someone interested in and qualified to teach, but that’s not always possible.” she said. “And our hockey team needs a corporate partner for the costly expenses of tournaments and travel.”

The Sled Warriors stayed at Whiteface Lodge, enjoying the open common areas, and being in the Olympic village. They went on to win gold, with team member, Natasha, who had never scored before, delivering the winning goal. The following week, Assemblyman Jake Ashby welcomed them to the NYS Capitol, where they were honored by all there. These wonderful achievements were just the latest realization of one of the lines of the STRIDE athlete’s creed: I will not say or think the words ‘I can’t.’ Clearly, each one of these incredible athletes showed us that they can, and STRIDE Adaptive Sports is a very big part of that.

Linda Waxman Finkle (LWF518@gmail.com) is an Albany-based writer who enjoys running, skiing, cycling, kayaking and ZUMBA. When not pursuing stories or sports, you’ll find her hiking in a National Park, waiting at an airport, or creating at a sewing machine.