By Kyra Oliver

Taylor Bernard, age 11, loves sports. Born as a twin, she happens to have cerebral palsy. Her sister does not. While it is not yet known just how Cerebral Palsy is diagnosed, some say it could be as a result of the birthing process. This does happen, and many parents make the decision to get in touch with somewhere like Lawtx.com to receive justice and compensation. That being said, Taylor hasn’t let her disability stop her. She and her sister are both talented athletes. In fact, Taylor has her sights set on completing the RMS Kids triathlon this May.

This story, and many like it, is why Sportable was created in Greater Richmond. Kristin Lessig co-founded the local non-profit because she wanted to give athletes like Taylor an opportunity to compete.

Founded in May 2005, Sportable was initially a class project at VCU. Lessig quickly realized, however, that nothing like the organization existed in our region. Her goal was not only to provide adaptive sports and recreation opportunities in Greater Richmond but most importantly, to transform lives of people with disabilities. Children that are born with movement disorders or conditions that affect their bone development are posed with unique challenges that they must overcome. There are various forms of medical help on offer to such children, which parents can learn more about online, that may make it easier for them to lead the active lives they want, whether that includes sport or not.

“We traveled to Atlanta during our spring break that year to attend a BlazeSports Conference (the legacy organization from the 1996 Paralympic Games) … we saw these amazing Paralympic athletes and just felt that there needed to be the same grassroots opportunities here (in Richmond),” explains Lessig.

Today Lessig points to a growing list of athletes who are regularly participating in Sportable’s programming. A 15-year-old, local athlete named Blake, who was born with spina bifida, became one of Sportable’s first participants and now serves as team captain and overall highest scorer.

“His parents will tell you that Sportable has truly changed his life. Blake’s focus off the court is on keeping his grades up so that he can make his dream a reality,” explains Lessig. In fact, Blake’s team, the Sportable Spokes, just won their first tournament down in Smithfield, N.C.

Lessig’s stories are endless. She says that seeing the eyes of talented, local athletes light up when they realize their love for sport is what motivates her. “If I can get through that wall and help them see the life we can offer and the dreams we can fulfill, I have done my job,” she says.

To make Sportable a reality, Lessig says that it takes a team to make a team. RVA’s support of Sportable is helping to provide athletes with accessible fields, courts, tracks, and entrée to the waterfront. In addition, Richmonders involved with Sportable are also helping to provide adaptive sports equipment-chairs, cycles, uniforms, coaches’ fees, and tournament entry fees.

“I feel strongly that everyone deserves the same opportunities that many of us take for granted,” explains Lessig. “Once you realize how many barriers exist for people with physical disabilities to participate in sport, you just cannot turn your back. Then you see the transformation that occurs on and off the court and you just keep pushing forward to do more.”

A key component of Sportable’s mission is the enthusiasm and commitment of a Greater Richmond that believes that people with disabilities can benefit from participating in sports.