Adaptive Sled Hockey: Ice-Dream Come True

Adaptive Sled Hockey: Ice-Dream Come True

Adaptive Sled Hockey: Ice-Dream Come True

GA Sled Hockey Foundation

Adaptive Sled Hockey

Okay, so we left church on Sunday and made a mad dash to the “Ice Forum” in Kennesaw, GA, to attend a Birthday Party on Ice to celebrate with my child’s classmate who was turning 8 years old. I was left under the circular parking area while Hubby fast-walked the boys into the party room where the festivities had already begun.

At the very moment my husband made his way out of the building and back to the passenger side of the car with my wheelchair, we were assaulted with EXCITEMENT and OPPORTUNITY by a kind stranger who we later found out was, “Brett!” He TOLD me that I should join him and some friends out on the ice and asked my (now concerned) husband, if he could roll me into the building while he parked the car. We consulted with each other (prayed quietly) and said, “Y.E.S” (Your Experience Shifts)! Tears of JOY started to roll down my face when the doors swung open and I was rolled to the edge of the ice. By this time Hubby had hurried back and I was introduced to, “Coach Ed” who called 3-4 other men to assist. The following dialogued felt like a conversation with God…

  • Coach Ed: Would you like to try this?
  • Yvette: Yes…(sniff)!
  • Hubby: Honey, are you Okay? Are you ready to do this now?
  • Yvette: Yes, I am.
  • Coach Ed: [Hubby] What is the best way to handle her?
  • Hubby: [Coach Ed] Let me show you.
  • Hubby: [Coach Ed] Will she fall?
  • Coach Ed: Yes. But we will be here to help her.

​After being safely transitioned from land to ice, Coach Ed gave me instructions on how to hold the hockey sticks and cleared a path to insure that the more experienced players went easy on me. He was pleasantly surprised that, I was looking for neither permission or admission on that ice.  I wanted to FLY! For the first time in a long time, I was a PLAYER of sport not a SPECTATOR. He slid over a bright yellow puck and showed me how to reverse my hockey stick to hit it. When I looked up, I saw, “Coach Hubby” wearing a helmet with a cage grill covering his face, taking pictures. I shifted focus from the ice and the puck to my Knight in Shining Armor, standing watch with such pride. Just like on our wedding day, I fell for him (blush)…LITERALLY. Just like he said he would, Coach Ed, picked me up.

ATLANTA SPARKS Special Needs Hockey a 100% Volunteer 501(c)(3) Organization run by volunteers. 100% of the funds are raised by volunteers who care enough to make a difference for others. 100% of the funds raised are put back into the caring of others – all funds are used to cover the costs of their programs. Cost requirements include cost of ice, equipment and supplies for participants. If you would like to help or participate please contact them – they accept all levels of volunteers and players.

Prior to my Traumatic Brain Injury, I was very athletic, competitive and EXCITED about the physicality of life. Post injury, the immediate and necessary focus was put on rehabilitation and physical therapy BUT this was very different than BEING athletic. So in the process of  healing my brain, my recovery was stealing my identity. Before realizing it, I was convinced that a physically invigorating or athletic lifestyle was no longer available to ME anymore, even though I had the privilege of watching zealous Shepherd Center paralympic charged athletes and read adaptive magazine stories about people who allowed the wheelchair to disappear in the face of their physical challenges, It was easier to be, “a good sport” than to be good AT SPORT and fail. I guess that’s why God sent Brett and Coach Ed to me/us with answers (instead of questions) on that rainy Sunday afternoon. Sled Hockey realized a DREAM that had drifted out of reach and provided me an opportunity to have the EXPERIENCE that has changed my life and invigorated my children to do more – by example. JOIN ME and Atlanta Sparks on our next flight in person, VOLUNTEER with support and/or with your FINANCIAL support. See you on the ICE!


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