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 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 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 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.

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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.

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/Hand Cycle Picnic Recap

Saturday afternoon, April 11th was the third attempt to hold this event due to bad weather. The day started off cold and cloudy but the afternoon turned out nice. Attendance was down to what folks thought was going to be a bad weather day again but those in attendance had a great time. This was the last activity for Gary Pickle/RISE Golf Director at Campion Trails. The program now moves to the North Texas Golf Center.

Steve Carlson/RISE Handcycle Director had fun with a family driving up from Austin to attend all RISE events over the weekend. Others in attendance rode through this awesome park as this program continues at the same location every weekend. The RISE Children’s Camp opens May 15th and RISE had the new Freedom Tents on site to test. A large group gathered as Mike Peters and Steve Carlson, both paraplegics, attempted to set the tent up specially designed for wheelchairs. “Guys don’t read instructions” is not a myth. After a few attempts they were joined by Jonathan Merchant, a quadriplegic, and finally a paraplegic mother and all went well.

Joel “Peanut” Hendrix cooked burgers and dogs and the grill was the place to be to keep warm.

RISE Golf & Hand Cycling Picnic Rescheduled

Weather permitting, we will have our golf and hand cycle picnic on, Saturday, April 11.

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Taking Reservations!

RISE Fishing with Andy, RISE Children’s Camping, Children’s Cast for Catfish, Children’s Addison Fish Derby, Hand Cycling, Golf, Scuba, and Sailing are taking reservations. RISE Rugby and Sled Hockey do not require reservations.