Adaptive Sports Fair attracts hundreds to LAC

Rock climbing, pickle ball, skateboarding, chair basketball and football are just a few of the sports that participants could do at Long Beach City College’s third annual Adaptive Sports Fair May 16 at LAC bringing hundreds from Orange and Los Angeles County.

Long Beach City College Sports Complex was transformed into a free mini sports arena offering families and students with adaptive needs a day of relaxation and connection.

The Triumph Foundation, Placemakers, and Angel City Sports, were the key anchor hosts and sponsors for the day that was filled with activities and possibilities. All were working together with the Long Beach City College Foundation, offering a welcoming space to engage all participants.

Clayton Frech, founder of Angel City Sports who has been involved in this industry for over two decades and shared his thoughts and highlights of the day.

“Two things struck me about the LB Adaptive Sports Fair. First, I love the scale of the event. The number of sports offered was amazing. Secondly, the collaborative nature of this event is remarkable,” said Frech.

_{LBCC hosted its third annual Adaptive Sports event on May 16th at LAC. Disabled students and families came out to participate in many sports and physical activities. (Destiny Castillo)}

Frech explains that Angel City Sports is really working to extend this collaborative spirit across all of Southern California. 

“Athlete entry points like this event are critical to our ability to change lives through sport,” said Frech.

Some participants have trauma injuries that challenge their abilities and some were born with a body that needs adaptations to access activities.

Ryan Chavarria, 37, was paralyzed from a gunshot wound at age 25 and has become a Triumph Foundation Ambassador. He helps to spread the word about Triumph and how they help people with spinal paralysis.

“We go to rehabs to see how they’re doing when we hear about a newly injured patient. We try to give them a bunch of information, what they’re going to need to know when they get out of the hospital,” said Chavarria.

He explains that the organization and staff  keep in touch with participants to make sure that they transition comfortably and then, “They become part of our family for life.”

Every human body is unique and has the ability to heal itself and adapt to its environment, just like plants and other animals on the planet.

_{Attendees gathered at LBCC for its third annual Adaptive Sports event on May 16 at LAC. Disabled students and families came out to participate in many sports and physical activities. (Destiny Castillo)}

Joshua Sowell, a student at LBCC who is earning certificates in both social work and teaching and was born with a spinal condition and has always used a chair to move through the world.

“One thing my family always instilled in me, I’m not disabled, I’m enabled. I have alternative abilities,” said Sowell.

He spends his time volunteering for Playmakers where he coaches basketball and an assistant for the baseball team as an ambassador for the program at the event.

“I love to volunteer and give back. So this is, like, one of the best ways I have been given the opportunity to give back, especially with people and kids and adults that are just like myself who have, who are born with a disability,” said Sowell.

There were more vendors in attendance this year who provided even more sports activities and services to experience.

“We had more sports vendors than we’ve ever had. We had five or six new sports vendors, which is really nice to see,” said Ron Krajniak, board chair for Playmakers.

Krajniak said the event grows over time here on the LBCC campus and the sports facility itself and expressed his appreciation.

“So it just validates, I think we’re saying that the vision three years ago was right and this just proved that we’re on the right track,” said Krajniak.

_{LBCC hosted its third annual Adaptive Sports event on May 16th at LAC. Disabled students and families came out to participate in many sports and physical activities. (Destiny Castillo)}

Many parents were offered the opportunity to register for a service poodle from Mobility Service Dog located in Pasadena.

“We puppy raise, train, and fit them with handlers as service dogs,” said Brady Helm, a volunteer with the organization and who recently became a dual amputee with one leg removed 15 yrs ago and the other just six months ago and relies on his service poodle dog, Yogi.

“It didn’t slow me down. I made a living racing and everything,” said Helm.

Parent Ruth Ramirez, who’s with Playmakers, traveled from Orange County bringing her three children to the event. 

Ramirez expressed how this was a family affair and how the event allowed her children to feel independent and safe in a small environment, as well as allowing the children to express themselves and try new sports.

“It’s all about connecting. You know, it’s a family. Having conversations with other parents, with children with similar challenges, and to share thoughts and ideas, so it’s a great place for community and to build relationships,” said Ramirez.

There was even an adaptive mobile community kitchen serving burgers, fries and salads created  and designed by two culinary chefs aboard the food truck. Special Flavors specializes in teaching young adults with autism how to cook and work in a job-like environment.

There were happy faces and smiles on many of the families leaving the event with new friendships and relationships to continue to grow as an adaptive family.  

“For us, it’s just a blessing because I don’t know where we’d be able to do this the way we’re doing it right here if it weren’t for Long Beach City College,” said Krajniak.

_{LBCC hosted its third annual Adaptive Sports event on May 16th at LAC. Disabled students and families came out to participate in many sports and physical activities. (Destiny Castillo)}