End of Summer Bash VI Promo

The End of the Summer Bash is Saturday, September 25, 2010 9am – 3pm at Meadowmere Park in Grapevine, Texas.  This Free Event provides a variety of outdoor leisure activities for those in the community of all ages with physical disabilities and their families.

Activities: Water Skiing, Scuba Demonstration, Jet Skis, Sailing, Kayaking, Swimming, Fishing, Disability Golf, Camping, Archery, Horseback Riding, Hand Cycling, Quad Rugby, Sled Hockey Equipment, Basketball, Climbing Wall, Face Painting, Remote Control Sailboats, Children’s Playground, Petting Zoo, Wood Carving, Silent Auction and much more…

Free food and drinks under the Grapevine AMBUC’s Food Court big tent.

Special Live Performances by JB Clark, and the Oak Lawn Symphonic & Marching Band.

Free Drawing for merchandise and gift-cards.

RISE is accepting preregistration for End of Summer Bash VI via email. Click on this link eosb@riseadventures.org and let us know how many folks in your group will be in attendance.

This years EOSB VI Title Sponsor is the Baylor Institute for Rehablitation.

Additional major contributors are: PepsiCo Enable, Southwest Airlines, Southwest Securities, Grapevine Parks & Recreastion Department, C&R Medical Supplies, and Lift-Aids.

We also appreciate the support of: Adventure Scuba, Hero’s on the Water, Classic Chevrolet, Pickles Custom Golf, Metroplex Adaptive Water Sports, John Horn’s Woodturning, Infinity Air, CIB Group, Backwoods, Grapevine AMBUCS, and Les Lacs Yacht Club.

CLICK HERE for a printable flyer for the event.

CLICK HERE for map.

WATCH SOME VIDEO FROM LAST YEAR’ EVENT!

Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation Water Sports Picnic

On Saturday July 31st, Baylor Institute for Rehabilitation sponsored a spinal cord peer mentor water sports picnic for peer mentors, patients, and family members.  The event was organized by RISE adventures and was held in Meadowmere Park on Lake Grapevine.   The activities that were offered for individuals with disabilities were water skiing, jet skiing, boat rides, tubing, swimming, sailing, kayaking, golfing, and hand cycling.  Over 100 volunteers, participants, and Baylor staff attended the event along with four Baylor patients.  In addition to the water activities, participants were able to enjoy hamburgers, hot dogs, and brisket as well as cold drinks to help beat the heat.  A free raffle was also held with Dallas Cowboys gear and backpacks as some of the prizes.  All participants received a t-shirt for attending the water sports event.  The event was a success showing appreciation for our amazing peer mentors.   CLICK HERE for more photos of the event.

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.

Main Street Days Grapevine, May 21-23rd, Fun in the Sun!

Special Thanks goes to Portable Events for providing the awesome stage presentation. Check out this awesome set up at www.portableevents.com and tell Michael RISE sent you. Thanks to our other sponsors for their participation all weekend long; City of Grapevine Parks and Recreation Department, C & R Medical Supplies, Lift-Aids, Pickles Custom Golf, and Adventure Scuba. RISE Staff and Volunteers endured the event demonstrating adaptive equipment and enjoying the festival.  CLICK HERE to see more photos of the event.

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 First Annual, “Kickin’ off the Summer Bash I” CEO Recap:

The RISE First Annual “Kickin’ off the Summer Bash I” held May 1, 2010 at Meadowmere Park on Lake Grapevine, was truly blessed! After weeks of concern on the lingering winter weather and the forecast of storms for the weekend, no storms or rain ever occurred. The event was held to get first timers acclimated to our programs, mission accomplished! All programs at the event were regular RISE weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly activities.  RISE owns our own equipment for each program and collaborative partners supply the rest.

Read the rest of this entry »

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

The 2010 Texas Statewide Independent Living Conference was held at the Crowne Plaza Suites in Dallas, March 7-9th, 2010.

RISE received a special invitation from Paula Margeson/REACH to participate with a booth and hosting an adaptive recreational equipment workshop. Regina Blye/Executive Director/TXSILC hosted an excellent conference. We met new friends and recognized old faces. The RISE workshop was hosted by Paul Gray/CEO/RA. Spencer Larimore spoke about Quad Rugby and demonstrated the chairs used to play the sport. Mike Peters demonstrated Hand Cycling and Sled Hockey. Gary Pickle demonstrated Golf and how to use an Adaptive Golf Cart. Gary used Mike as a first time participant for demonstration purposes for this fast growing program. Everyone had a great time working towards a common goal in supporting the disability community.

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 »

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