Spina Bifida Water Sports Picnic was held Saturday, July 17th.

There are always way too many people to thank for their unconditional support. Without the financial support of C & R Medical Supplies & Lift-Aids and their personal involvement none of our free programs would be possible! It was over 100 degrees but the temperature did not dampen the spirits. The huge turnout of children with disabilities and family members enjoyed a full day of water skiing, jet skiing, water float rides, swimming, sailing, kayaking, golf, lawn games hand cycling, and lunch of hamburgers and hot dogs. A huge “Thank You” also goes to Albert Estes/Scottish Rite Hospital, Spina Bifida Board and staff and the large number of Volunteers that endured a long hot day of fun in the sun!

CLICK HERE for more photos of the event.

REACH Water Sports Picnic, Saturday, June 26, 2010- Recap

TEAM RISE Staff, Sponsors, and Volunteers,

From the bottom of my heart, I truly appreciate each and every one of you for your effort, presenting the REACH Water Sports Picnic. Your heartfelt compassion and unconditional support were truly inspiring. This was one of the best days of RISE Adventures short existence. I have written this many times and it seems so weak but, THANK YOU!! Read the rest of this entry »

RISE Adventures 2010 Summer Program Schedule.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THE RISE SUMMER PROGRAM FLYER Read the rest of this entry »

RISE Golf is every Saturday 9am to 12pm

Reservations required by contacting Gary Pickle at gary@garypickle.com or 817-684-1128. This program is held at the North Texas Golf Center, located at 2101 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, Texas 75229. Take I-35 (Stemmons Expressway) to Walnut Hill Lane, exit and go west, at the end of Walnut Hill Lane. The RISE goal for this program is to make the game of golf easier for individuals with disabilities, prosthetic devices, back, hip or knee injuries. The key objectives of this RISE Golf Program are to encourage and promote every person with a permanent disability to play and enjoy golf. Playing golf  is a viable form of rehabilitation and recreation for the physically disabled. It brings together able and physically disabled golfers to share their love for the game.

RISE Golf

The RISE goal for this program is to make the game of golf easier for individuals with disabilities, prosthetic devices, back, hip or knee injuries.

The key objectives of this RISE Golf Program are to encourage and promote every person with a permanent disability to play and enjoy golf. Playing golf is a viable form of rehabilitation and recreation for the physically disabled. It brings together able and physically disabled golfers to share their love for the game.

CLICK HERE to see more golf photos.

Thanks to RISE I went golfing for the first time in over 23 years on Saturday.

Thanks to RISE I went golfing for the first time in over 23 years on Saturday.  The weather was great, and the chance to swing a club was even better.  I’m a C5-6 complete quad, and I wasn’t sure how well I could hit the ball.  My expectations were to hit it 20-30 feet.  Gary Pickle dug into his bag of goodies to find a way to strap the club to my arm.  After trying several straps an three different clubs, we came up with the right combination.  With Gary’s instruction, I wound up consistently hitting the ball 30-35 yards.  What a fun day!  Thanks to Gary and RISE Adventures for making this day possible!!!  Chris

CLICK HERE to see more golf photos.

RISE Adventures Golf is Rockin!

Kevin Wright Enjoys His Independence.  Kevin and his mom, Denise, arrive at the North Texas Golf Center for their regular, weekly dose of RISE Golf.  It’s an inspiration to see his strength, balance, coordination, confidence and golf skills improve.  The picture speaks volumes.

RISE Golf Knows No Language Barriers.  Denise Wright has volunteered to make her language skills available to Spanish speaking RISE golfers.  Reaching out and eliminating barriers, the RISE Golf program continues to flourish.  Thank you Denise!

Paul Jerde Finds His Legs with the Single Rider Golf Cart.  Forget the wheel chair or trying to stand with someone balancing on a gait belt and someone else teeing the ball for him.  Once Paul was strapped into the single rider golf cart there was no slowing him down.  He teed his own ball, chose his own club, and paused for an occasional breather, unassisted and at his own pace.  He’s on his way to golfing independence.

Meet Andrew Jansy, Our Newest RISE Golfer.  We’re looking forward to seeing Andrew at our golf events.  Andrew didn’t make the group picture so we will show off his “mug shot” separately.  Nice finish Andrew!

RISE Golf meets weekly at the North Texas Golf Center.  RSVP is required.  Contact Gary Pickle, 817-684-1128 or gary@garypickle.com

CLICK HERE to see more golf photos.

RISE Golf is every Saturday, Reservations required by contacting Gary Pickle at gary@garypickle.com or 817-684-1128.

It’s going to be a fantastic year for the RISE golf program. We’ve had new participants at every golf event this year at the North Texas Golf Center.  Besides interest from folks new to RISE and increasing interest from the “regular” RISE constituency; 18 hole regulation golf courses are interested in hosting our program and the RISE in-service programs conducted on-site at the Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation have been successful in getting people back to the golf course.  We have many quality volunteers, many of whom are therapy students from UNT and TWU. 

Check the calendar carefully. For the present, RISE golf is from 12:00 to 3:00 on Saturday’s but will change during the year. RSVP is required.

Mark your calendar now for September 13th. Adventure Scuba in Plano will be sponsoring a golf tournament to benefit RISE Adventures. I’ll post details as they develop.  Contact Gary Pickle at gary@garypickle.com

RISE Adventures Golf Program is a Dream Come True!

When Kevin Wright was born, his parents never dreamed that he would ever play golf. As a small child growing up, he never had the opportunity to become involved in any sports due to his disabilities, which include visual impairment and cerebral palsy. Now, thanks to RISE Adventures, Kevin is learning to play golf and other recreational sports activities.

Read the rest of this entry »

November 2009 issue of the National Golf Course Owners Association Business Magazine features an in-depth article on the need for golf course owners to accommodate golfers with disabilities.

Article covers modified instruction, adaptive equipment, single rider golf carts, ADA compliance and access issues.  This is a national publication.  Awareness is increasing at the golf course ownership and management level.  So, keep up your RISE golf participation!  Our visibility at golf courses and driving ranges serves as a reminder that the disabled are golfers just like anybody else.  Read digital edition of full article here.

TEAM RISE participates in the Neuro Fitness Foundation Golf Fundraiser, November 9th.

To say the least none of us that played are avid golfers. I think you are supposed to play with a foursome but we didn’t know the rules so played, well, attempted to play with 6 golfers to support our great friends at NFF. Our group only attempted 7 holes and was finally requested to call it a day on the 18^th hole since we were holding up the rest of the real golfers from completing their rounds. Even though our skills were lacking, I promise you our group had more fun than the rest in support of a great cause.  CLICK HERE for more photos of the event.

RISE Golf has Numerous Dates Scheduled

RISE golf has had a great year so far and many more exciting events are on the horizon.  Adventure Scuba (they do the RISE Scuba program) will have their annual charity golf tournament on Monday afternoon, November 16.

Details will follow; however, we want to take as many RISE folks as possible to play, serve as caddies for those who are playing or if you just want to drive a golf cart around the golf course for the day in support of TEAM RISE.

As soon as possible, please RSVP to let me know how you would like to be involved, i.e., player, caddie (no you will not have to carry the bag, just ride with a player to help out), supporter/flag waver for TEAM RISE.  So mark the date on your calendar and RSVP to gary@garypickle.com.

As with all RISE events, the tournament will cost you nothing.  No tournament fee, no green fee, no cart fee, NOTHING.

Also in November, the National Golf Course Owners Association will feature an article with interviews from disability golf programs from around the country in their monthly Golf Business magazine.  RISE golf participated in the interviews and we will have some pictures published also.  I will publish the link as soon as available.

The RISE golf program has drawn the attention of the local Wounded Warrior Regiment of the Marine Corp and some local golf courses inviting us to come out and play.  The number of RISE golf participants and the diversity of our participants are growing.

For those who cannot make the scheduled weekend RISE golf events remember flex scheduling.  Contact me to schedule in advance and we will go play/practice during the week at your convenience.

By Gary Pickle/RISE Golf Manager

RISE End of Summer Bash V Smashes Attendance Record!

This year’s attendance more than doubled last years with 918 total persons in attendance; Disabilities 237, Family Members 344, Volunteers  220, and Vendors/Sponsors 117.  Thanks to everyone that attended and supported this year’s event. We would like to ask everyone to send us your stories, pictures, and comments about the event. We are also open to any constructive criticism to make improvements. Send pictures to slarimore@riseadventures.org.  Comments can be made online click here. To view the pictures already posted click here.

NBC 5 Sports “Out of Bounds” highlights RISE Golf Program

Tee it Up Anytime!

RISE golfers take advantage of “flex scheduling” and Tee it Up on Wednesday, August 5th at the North Texas Golf Center.  If the regularly scheduled RISE golf event just doesn’t fit your schedule, get your buddies together and let’s go play when it’s convenient….for you!  RISE provides everything:  single rider cart, golf clubs, instruction, an accessible facility with golf course, driving range, short game area…all just waiting to be used and centrally located at I35 and Walnut Hill in Dallas.  So, give yourself a midweek break….plan ahead and schedule some golf for yourself next week.  By phone or email, gary@garypickle.com or 817.684.1128.  CLICK HERE to see more photos of RISE Golf.

Viewers Respond to Golf Story on TV

I saw the piece on Channel  5 news regarding your organization and am thrilled to know that it exists.  My younger brother became paraplegic at age 19 and died in 2001 at 47.  He was an inspiration to all who knew him and the East Tennessee hospitals often asked him to visit young patients who suffered paralyzing accidents.  My brother never let his injuries slow him down and I feel pioneered many things.  He successfully campaigned for handicapped access at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, built a retaining wall at his mountain home while in his wheelchair using railroad ties and a come-along, and took up scuba diving, wheelchair basketball, water-skiing, and snow skiing.  Although I cannot contribute at this time, I will keep this organization on my list for future contributions.  Nancy Fears

New Golfer Gives Thanks to RISE Golf Program

We would like to express our appreciation in getting Caleb involved with RISE.  He really enjoyed his first adventure with you guys playing golf this past weekend.  He had a lot of fun and said he wants to be able to do it again! He is excited to get involved and try some new things that he never imagined he could do before.  So we want to share our joy with you in giving him such new found confidence and a love for exploring some unknown adventures!  Your organization is a wonderful expression of understanding and compassion to those with special needs.  Thank you so much for giving our son the opportunity to join with your organization!

Blessings,
Mark and Kim Brown

RISE Golf has added a new Model T Disability Golf Cart. SIGN UP NOW!

Numerous dates and instruction are available on the RISE  Calendar. To make reservations contact Gary Pickle at gary@garypickle.com or 817-684-1128.

RISE Golf holds Special Clinic for Baylor (BIR) held on Thursday, June 4th

We would like to thank RISE Adventures and Gary Pickle, the RISE Golf Program Director, for facilitating a welcoming adaptive Golf day to inpatients at Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation! Beautiful day, great weather, amazing golf cart for the disabled, adapted golf clubs, fun social atmosphere and professional guidance! What more could one ask for? Thanks for your service in the community and allowing our patients to see and explore recreational options for the future after discharge!

Click here for more pictures!

Written by Lea Stewart
Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist!

RISE Golf Program Update

Saturday, June 13th golf will be from 9am-12pm. We will have access to the driving range, putting and chipping area and golf course, 9 holes, all par 3.

Our new meeting location is the North Texas Golf Center (NTGC) on Walnut Hill, click here for map.

As with all RISE programs, the golf is FREE. Free instruction, free range balls, free to play the golf course, free golf clubs use….. all FREE!

FREE….sounds too good to be true so here’s the catch……you gotta’ sign up with RISE….but that is FREE too……one more “catch” you gotta’ RSVP to Gary Pickle…… gary@garypickle.com or 817-684-1128…..that’s Free too…….

If you have any questions, please contact Pickle…..the golf course will not have ANY answers to ANY of your questions, I’m certain….

Please forward this info to you friends and any other groups with which you may have an association.

See you Saturday!