JS: How did you get
Adoptive Sports KC started, and what’s your passion behind it?
MH: I started
Adaptive Sports KC after a year of being a competitive adaptive athlete. I had
met Oscar Loreto Jr. at the Extremity Games 8 in San Marcos Texas. We competed
in Skateboarding Elite against each other.
He had invited me to another event/competition in Venice
Beach California called Life Rolls On/Shoe City Open. It was there I begin to
see this huge need for adaptive sports programs. I was still new to Adaptive
sports at the time so, I did a lot of volunteer work with Midwest Adaptive
Sports. Teaching people how to ski and snowboard. I am currently on the Board
of Directors for MAS and since they are more focused on the winter sports
programs I felt the need to start a Spring/Summer/Fall group.
JS: In what different
ways are you getting the word out there about ASK?
MH: Mainly word
of mouth at the moment. We have been traveling a lot helping and supporting
other organizations with like minded goals and missions. The more awareness
that we provide the general public, the better our programs can be. However you
have to be careful. Looking at it from a business stand point, you can’t over
saturated the market. You have to have a strong core or foundation to build
upon.
JS: What is your
vision with ASK, where would you like to see it in 5 years?
MH: My vision for
ASK is to provide our community with a solid adaptive sports program. To build
long lasting memories with our participants. To make sure that the community
provides the same support with these athletes, as they would your conventional
sports. There is so many possibilities for anyone, and I mean anyone to reach
for the stars and achieve anything they desire. However someone has to know
what they want and need and that is where we come in.
I would like to see us become a hub. And by that I mean we
are centrally located. It makes it easier for families to travel to us for the
support and training their prospective athlete needs. It also makes it just as
easy for us to travel to them. It’s all about support and showing them that
they matter to us. So to go national and hopefully have training center for
adaptive athletes.
JS: Are there any
limits to join?
MH: There
absolutely is no limit to be a part of ASK. There are many "specialized
groups" which are very needed in some cases, however we want to provide
everyone the social interaction with no exclusion. We invite everyone. Whether
you have a disability or not. That way we are breaking down the walls of segregation.
It helps build confidence. If you are exposed to things like different
disabilities, then it’s no longer weird. When people don’t see you any
differently, you feel like you are a part of something bigger. We are not our disability.
We are everyday people.
JS: How can outside
people get involved in ASK?
MH: Get a hold of
us. We have a Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Website. Come out and volunteer.
Interact with the participants. There is nothing greater or more fulfilling
than seeing someone who has been told they cant, realize they can and will.
Best feeling ever.
JS: How can people
donate to ASK, what are your major needs for the program?
MH: People can donate directly if they want. We
havea donation page through Rockethub. However if they need the Tax deduction
they need to donate through our Umbrella Sponsor Midwest Adaptive Sports. We
are currently waiting on our 501c3 approval from the IRS. Funding is our
current need. We have been working overtime and taking extra jobs to fund ASK. Since
we travel a lot we could also use gift or gas cards. Anything to help us get to
our next destination.
JS: Are there any
negative people with what you're trying to do, if so what do you do to overcome
the "nay sayers"?
MH: There are
always negative people in anything you are doing. The biggest challenge is
staying focused on what we are doing. There are other people doing it their way
and we will continue to do it our way. We are not a large organization, However
we are a core group based in Kansas City with supporters and coaches across the
US, that are passionate about making the future a better place for everyone. We
will not let anyone stop us or lose sight of why we are doing this.
JS: Last but not
least, if you could pick one song to describe your life what would it be and
why?
MH: Wow, that’s a
hard one. I think I would have to pick MGK-Chasing Pavements. It kind of talks
about the struggles of growing up, not knowing your place and everyone wanting
you to be something that you’re not. Everyone has this false sense of what
success is an how to get there. I seriously believe that we can accomplish
anything. It only takes you dreaming it and working hard for it. Doesn’t mean it’s
going to be easy, but it will be worth it.
Links.
Donation page- http://www.rockethub.com/42662
Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/AdaptiveSportsKC
Instagram- www.instagram.com/adaptivesportskc
