Carolinas HealthCare System – Adaptive Sports and Adventures Program

Participating in sports and other outdoor activities brings joy to so many people. Jennifer, a coordinator at the Carolinas HealthCare System’s Adaptive Sports and Adventures Program (ASAP), a community-based sports therapy rehabilitation program, knows firsthand that sports and adventure can be life-saving – particularly for people with disabilities. In 1998, she started working with Michael, a former high school track and swim star who never regained the use of his legs after crashing his Jeep into a ravine while driving under the influence. By joining ASAP, Michael regained purpose and happiness by rediscovering a love of sports and participating in wheelchair cycling and waterskiing. He now spends time improving the lives of other people with disabilities by working as an ASAP mentor alongside Jennifer. Thanks to Michael, Jennifer is regularly reminded of the power of adaptive sports, and happy that she can help people of all abilities experience the joy of outdoor activities.