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Success Stories

DASA has so many inspirational stories. Here are just a few of our amazing athletes:

Nick (12)



Nick was born with cerebral palsy and came to DASA looking for sports opportunities. "DASA opened up my eyes to the world of competitive wheelchair sports. With DASA my family and I have made a lot of great friends! DASA has also made me realize that just because I have a disability, doesn't mean I have limitations." Through DASA, Nick learned more than just sports. He's gained independence and the valuable lessons of teamwork. At a track meet, Nick exemplified true sportsmanship to a competitor whose chair was broken. Offering up his chair, Nick received the recognition of his good deed at the 2008 National Sportsmanship Awards.

Jordan (12)



For Jordan with arthrogryposis, "(DASA) provided me with a different perspective of being physically challenged-I'm handiCAPABLE, not handicapped. Because of my participation in DASA I no longer feel sorry for myself, compare myself with able-bodied girls, or wonder why I'm physically different. I'm more aware of what's possible, I'm proud of what I can do and I'm appreciated of the fact that despite my differences I'm equal to every other kid out here." Jordan competes in several triathlons each year and on swim teams with DASA and with her local community teams.
 
 
 
 

George (16)



George was born with spina bifida. With DASA, George has competed in archery and basketball and has represented Team USA in Track & Field. "These chances (to compete in several different sports) I have never had before."  Before DASA, George had never been on an airplane. "Thanks to DASA, I have learned how to be a team player. Since I've been in DASA I've met a lot of people around the world through competitions. The people of DASA are like family and that family had showed me my abilities that I never knew I had."

Sarah (15)


For Sarah, who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type II, swimming is really important for her to do on a regular basis. "I joined the DASA swim team. It is really cool to be able to swim with people who also have a disability. I'm no longer the only one in a wheelchair or the only one who has to get lifted in and out of the pool. Because people don't create as many waves, I am now able to swim without my mom by me in the pool. Our coaches know how to help us get in and out of the pool and they understand our disabilities so they can come up with better stroke ideas and we can become better swimmers." In addition to swimming with DASA, Sarah competes on with DASA's Power Soccer Team.

 
 
 One of DASA's very own!  Steven Cash was introduced to Sled Hockey in 2003 through the Disabled Athlete Sports Association Jr. Blues Sled Hockey program.   Steven made TEAM USA and competed in the 2006 Winter Paralympic games in Torino Italy.    Watch for Steven as he again competes for the USA in this winter Paralympics Vancouver, Canada!!!
 
Steven continues to support his DASA team when he is in town and not traveling with TEAM USA.   DASA is very Proud!!


U.S. National Sled Hockey Team, Goalie Steve Cash Earn United States Olympic Committee Honors
January 22, 2010
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The U.S. National Sled Hockey Team and its goalie, Steve Cash (Overland, Mo.), were both honored today with 2009 United States Olympic Committee Awards. After capturing the United States' first-ever International Paralympic Committee Ice Sledge Hockey World Championship last May, Team USA was named the USOC Paralympic Team of the Year, while Cash was named the USOC Paralympic SportsMan of the Year.

"What a terrific honor for these young men," said Ray Maluta, head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team and U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team. "This award goes not only to our players, but also the entire staff and USA Hockey, who put so much time and effort into helping this program grow over the last two years."
To hear more comments from Maluta, click here.
"I'm extremely honored and humbled," said Cash. "I'm also happy that our entire team was recognized. Without the support of my teammates, I could never have achieved the individual success I enjoyed last year. Hopefully we can carry that success into the Paralympics in March."
To hear more comments from Cash, click here.
Last May, the 2008-09 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team captured the IPC Ice Sledge Hockey World Championship in Ostrava, Czech Republic, defeating Canada in the semifinals and Norway in the gold-medal game for the United States' first-ever title. Cash posted a 0.77 goals-against average and .940 save percentage in five games at the tournament. Overall, the 2008-09 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team finished with a 9-3-1-5 (W-OTW-OTL-L) record, with Cash starting every game between the pipes for Team USA.

The 2009-10 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team achieved continued success last November, capturing first place at the 2009 World Sledge Hockey Challenge in Charlottetown, P.E.I. The 2010 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team, consisting of 15 of the 18 members of the 2009-10 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team, was named in December. Team USA will participate in the Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver, B.C., March 13-20.

The U.S. National Sled Hockey Team is the first-ever recipient of the USOC Paralympic Team of the Year award, while the USOC Paralympian of the Year award was first handed out in 2004.

NOTES: The U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team is currently competing at the Japan Para Ice Sledge Hockey Championships in Nagano City, Japan. Full coverage of the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team, including a team roster, photos, features, and stats are available at usahockey.com... Other 2009 USOC Award recipients included alpine skier Lindsey Vonn (SportsWoman of the Year), nordic skier Todd Lodwick (SportsMan of the Year), Steven Holcomb's four-man boblsed team (Team of the Year) and mono-skier Stephani Victor (Paralympic SportsWoman of the Year).

 
National Junior Disability Championships (NJDC) was a success! Over 250 registered participants came to St. Louis/St. Charles for Paralympics-style competition July 25-August 1. Thanks again to St. John's Mercy Children's Hospital, US Paralympics, BKD LLC, and Hanger Prosthetics and Orthotics along with all of our sponsors and volunteers that made this a magical week full of memories!
 
 
Check out the NJDC media coverage:
    Cardinals Kids Crew (airs during some St. Louis Cardinals rain delays) courtesy of Shriners Hospitals for Children
    Sports N' Spokes will feature NJDC in it's upcoming issue...we'll link it as soon as it posts!
 
Purchase your NJDC memory now:
    Goodeye Photoshare has memory photos and collages from the banquet available for purchase here.
    For memories from the entire week of competition (including team photos), visit http://www.rutster.com/njdc2009.htm.