The Bandit’s kicked off their season with 2 wins over the new-look Moriane Minutemen.  

Vs Moraine Minutemen 48-36 W

Vs Moraine Minutemen 59-40 W

Upcoming! Bandits to Play in the Mid-American Wheelchair Basketball Conference Tournament on October 25-26 at the Strongsville Rec. Center, Srongsville, Ohio

2008-2009 Regular Season 

Oct. 25-26

MAWBC conference Tourney 1

Vs Columbus Buckeye Wheelers

Vs Moraine

Vs Cleveland

& Vs Lafayette!!!

Going to be an exciting day!

As posted at: www.jconline.com/article/20081021/NEWS/810210308

BY BOB SCOTT • BSCOTT@JOURNALANDCOURIER.COM • OCTOBER 21, 2008

Seth Mullen’s parents, Dick and Michelle, have always emphasized the positives in his life.

Despite severe disabilities, Seth, 19, is on course to earn an Eagle Scout ranking. He is a member of Troop 338 with Faith Presbyterian Church in West Lafayette.

He organized and led 26 volunteers in a project Oct. 11 to scrape and seal 31 picnic benches at the Indiana Veterans’ Home.

“I feel happy and excited to have friends who would help me with my Eagle Project. I feel thankful,” he said.

Seth copes with the effects of severe cerebral palsy. He is nonambulatory and nonverbal. He speaks through a Pathfinder computer on the wheelchair. It converts keystrokes into spoken words.

He uses a motorized wheelchair and a service dog named Sonny. The golden retriever opens doors, picks up things and is a companion.

Seth said the Boy Scouts have been an important part of his life since first grade.

“The people are great and I have many friends,” he said. “I especially like to help others, and I can in Scouting in many different ways.”

The project volunteers worked a combined total of 96 hours. They included other Boy Scouts, church friends and even strangers.

Dick Mullen said a customer at his Aardvark Furniture and Graphics store overheard him talking about Seth’s project and showed up to help.

Seth has participated in Scout outings, including summer camps, a national Jamboree and tours of the Gettysburg battlefield, Thomas Jefferson’s home and the White House.

“Scouting is something that he loves,” said the proud father. “People have been accepting of him.”

Seth is a frequent volunteer at the Indiana Veterans’ Home, said Carolyn Johnson, the director of volunteer services.

“Seth comes with an aide and waters the flowers,” Johnson said. “He also does pet visits with the residents, who just love him.”

She said that Seth’s visits “inspire” the residents.

“It makes them realize they aren’t the only ones with problems,” Johnson said.

Seth is a 2007 graduate of Harrison High School. He is enrolled at Ivy Tech Community College.

“I’m studying to be a library technician,” he said. “I want to help people. I’d love to be a minister.”

Seth took photos of his Eagle Scout project to include with a follow-up report and a letter that will be sent to the Boy Scouts’ national office for review. After about three months, he will receive the proper paperwork so he can plan his Eagle Court of Honor in the spring.

As Posted by: Kevin Hughes

Below is the open ice schedule for those interested in trying out sled hockey. Join the building efforts in creating the the first sled hockey team in Indiana.

Anyone who has a permanent physical disability that limits their participation in ice hockey can play sled hockey. We’re looking for individuals of all ages and skill levels. You’re welcome to attend as many practices as your schedule permits.

All practices are held at McMillan Ice Arena, also known as the MAC, (3901 Abbott Street. Fort Wayne, IN 46806) 

$5 drop in cost per participant. All equipment is provided. Recommend arriving 30 minutes before practice starts to get suited up. 

SLED HOCKEY PRACTICE SCHEDULE

SUN. 10/12/08 STUDIO              6:15-8:15PM

SUN. 10/26/08 STUDIO              6:15-8:15PM

MON. 11/3/08 BLUE RINK          6:45-7:45PM

SUN. 11/23/08 STUDIO              6:15-8:15PM

MON. 12/1/08 BLUE RINK          6:45-7:45PM

SUN. 12/7/08 STUDIO                6:15-8:15PM

SUN. 1/4/09 STUDIO                  6:15-8:15PM

MON. 1/12/09 BLUE RINK          6:45-7:45PM

SUN. 1/18/09 STUDIO                6:15-8:15PM

MON. 1/26/09 BLUE RINK          6:45-7:45PM

MON. 2/9/09 BLUE RINK            6:45-7:45PM

SUN. 3/1/09 STUDIO                  6:15-8:15PM

MON. 3/9/09 BLUE RINK            6:45-7:45PM

MON. 4/6/09 BLUE RINK            6:45-7:45PM

On Friday, February 13, 2009 the sled hockey team will play @ Memorial Coliseum during intermission of a Komets game. The Komets are a local minor league hockey team that averaged 7,711 fans last year. It’s a very fun environment to play in. 

That same weekend (February 14-15)  the MAC is hosting ‘The First Annual Bob Chase Frostbite Sled Hockey Championship.

Please pass along to others who might also benefit. 

Kevin Hughes

Turnstone Flyers Prep Coach

260-710-2925 (mobile)

As posted at www.indyfitness.net

Therapeutic & Adaptive Recreation Section

Indy Parks is committed to providing recreation programs that benefit people with disabilities.  It is our goal to help people participate at their optimal level of independence.  We strive to provide programs that focus on leisure related skills, attitudes, and knowledge.  To find out how adaptive recreation can help you, or for sponsorship and volunteer information, please call 327–7251.

• For more information on any of the following programs, please contact Indy Parks and Recreation at 327-PARK (327-7275).

Programs

Indy Sports Clubs and Special OlympicsIndy Sports Clubs operates as a partnership between Indy Parks and Special Olympics of Indiana. Indy Sports Clubs provide year–round, community based training and competition for youth and adults with cognitive disabilities. If you are interested in volunteering or playing as a partner of United Sports Teams please call Robbie Ritter. Participants must be at least 8 years of age.

Power SoccerPower Soccer is the most exciting new sports for power wheel chair users. Games are coed in nature, and are usually played on indoor basketball courts. For more information on this revolutionary sports please visit www.powersoccer.com.

Riverside Park

• Please call for dates 6:30PM–8:30PM 

Quad RugbyIndy Parks and the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana offer the opportunity to participate in an exciting new Quad Rugby League.

Krannert Park

• Saturdays 11AM–1PM 

Wheel Chair BasketballIf you’re looking for a great way to meet people, stay in shape, and participate in a friendly and competitive environment this is the program for you. Wheelchair users of all ability levels are encouraged to participate in this great leisure opportunity.

Municipal Gardens

• Wednesdays 7PM–9PM 

Adaptive Swimming ProgramMany Indy Parks aquatic facilities are accessible.  Please call 327–PARK for a complete list.

Indy Blaze Sports ClubBlaze Sports is a direct legacy of the 1996 Paralympic Games. Blaze Sports works in partnership with the National Recreation and Parks Association to provide community–based sports training and competition for youth and adults with physical disabilities. Indy Parks, the RHI Sports Program, are proud to have formed the first Blaze sponsored program in the state of Indiana.

Party–Time FridaysParty–Time Fridays are a wonderful social outlet for adults with cognitive disabilities. This monthly event allows participants to meet new people and visit with old friends.  Dance offs, limbo contests and raffle prizes are some of the favorite activities.

Riverside Park

• 10/14, 11/11, 12/9 7PM–9PM 

Adaptive GolfThe RHI Sports Program and Indy Parks are proud to sponsor an innovative new program called Adaptive Golf. Certified Instructors will cover proper swing alignment, understanding balance and leverage, appropriate club selection, and the correct use of accessible golf carts.

Eagle Creek Golf Course

The Bandits, currently ranked 3rd in the nation, will be playing Moraine this weekend at Turnstone this Saturday, Oct. 11th. Tip-off is around 2:30pm with the teams playing 2 games.  Scorekeepers and operators are still needed.  Please contact Turnstone if you can volunteer.  

Turnstone is proud to sponsor a Daisy/Brownie Troop. The girl’s meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm. Girls in grades Kindergarten through 3rd are welcome to join.

If you are interested in the Daisy/Brownie Girl Scout Troop, please contact Adrianne Lyon through Turnstone.

As posted at: 

www.journalgazette.net

As posted by Kelly Soderland: September 21, 2008 6:00 a.m.

Boy with cerebral palsy finds ways to fit in

Luke Labas awkwardly uses his left hand to push the joystick on his power wheelchair at full speed, and like a heat-seeking missile, rolls back onto the court and into the soccer game.  This game is filled with the sounds of battery-powered wheelchairs revving up and down, trying to keep up with the various speeds their drivers desire. The sound of rubber tires screeching against the floor fills the gymnasium at the Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities.

Luke, 14, sees an opportunity to send the 13-inch oversized soccer ball through the goal and maneuvers his chair to set up the play. He lines his wheelchair up sideways and twirls the joystick so that his chair swings around 90 degrees.  The basket attached to the front of the wheelchair makes contact with the ball, sending it sailing to the end of the court.  While his legs can’t do the celebration dance his mind wanted them to, Luke still took the liberty of taking a confident victory drive down the court.

Luke has cerebral palsy, a group of disorders that affects muscle and body movement that resulted from a brain injury. People are affected differently, from being able to walk only awkwardly to being confined to a wheelchair.  Luke has never walked independently. His wheelchair serves as his legs, says his mom, Jan Labas.

But Luke has figured out a way to make his “legs” soar. He’s a member of Turnstone’s national champion power soccer team, usually composed of six men and women with various disabilities.

Aggressive play

Luke and his soccer teammates, the Fantastic Flyers, will spend the next seven months preparing for the regional competition, hoping to qualify for nationals again.  In June, the Fantastic Flyers beat the other Turnstone team, the Fearless Flyers, during the national championships for the United States Power Soccer Association in Atlanta.

The national league brings together teams from across the country to compete. Power soccer players have disorders such as quadriplegia, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, head trauma, stroke and spinal cord injury, according to the league’s Web site.  As difficult as it can be to travel with multiple power wheelchairs, the Turnstone families do it. They made their way to Indianapolis last year for the regional competition and usually leave the state for nationals.

One team member drives her wheelchair with her feet because she does not have enough coordination in her hand to control a joystick. She drives barefoot because she can’t feel the sensation of the pedal through her socks. Another man has muscular dystrophy and drives his wheelchair with his chin.  They play hard and they play aggressively. As one of the players, who is a quadriplegic, told Jan, “What am I going to do? Break my neck? I’ve already done that.”

For Luke, it’s a chance for him to meet people who know what he’s going through and a chance to just hang out with friends. While most middle school students spend a lot of time hanging out at their friends’ homes, Luke can’t because his classmates don’t have handicapped-accessible homes.  For Jim and Jan Labas, it’s an opportunity for them to see their son thrive at something he loves. There’s nothing better than seeing Luke and his teammates score a goal during a game, Jan said.

“They’re smiling with every inch of their body.”

Built with the assistance of the Allstate Foundation and the Injury Free Head Coalition, Indy Parks has it’s first ever totally accessible playground.  Located at Rhodius Family Center, 1720 W. Wilkins Street - just three blocks north of Morris, from the intersection of Harding and Morris by the Lilly Tech Center.  The playground is 100% accessible by wheelchair on its upper and level features, as well around the entire perimeter.  The playground surface is accessible as are the swings, benches and adjacent picnic tables ensuring a wonderful family experience.