I am an amputee since birth but was always very active in sports all through my early school age years. I was training with the high school volleyball team when I suddenly felt tired and visited my doctor. I was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. This was 40 years ago this year. Diabetes meant constant urine testing and many injections per day.
A friend worked at a local course and taught. At sixteen I thought this would be a great compromise. I could still participate in a sport and get used to having a chronic disease. I had to walk the courses so I got plenty of exercise. I was out with friends, playing at the local country club where I would never have been allowed, not being a member. I became totally committed. College happened and my focus had to change.
I moved to England marry a man who I met while skiing in an adaptive ski program. I was good at skiing and skied on not only the British Disabled Ski Team but the Winter Park (CO) Disabled Ski Team.
In 2000 we moved to Florida for the chance of sailing. I sailed with the disabled sailing group in St Petersburg as well as Sarasota. I had a car accident and had to have my neck fused twice within one year. I quickly discovered that I could no longer participate in sailing. My husband and a friend convinced me to play golf again.
Golf is a great sport and anyone can adapt the game to play. My prosthetist in Orlando who has a full virtual golf range with a golf pro on staff!
Living in Florida, being able to play most days is just amazing. Golf has become the perfect sport for me to return to when other sports become too difficult. Adaptive Golf is perfect because they work with you to meet your specific needs whether they be from an amputation to stroke to extreme disabling issues. Adaptive golf means understanding how to apply one’s abilities to reach their potential, according to David Windsor of the Adaptive Golf Academy in Sarasota, FL. David has been in charge of the Adaptive Golf in Sarasota on a weekly basis since 1999. They are recognized by the PGA and USGA.
To learn more visit Adaptive Golf Academy.
