The Challenged Athletes Foundation (CAF), Project Medishare, and the Knights of Columbus have launched a “Return to Sport” program in Haiti. Thanks to a lead gift from an anonymous donor, a variety of activities are being planned to help Haitians with physical disabilities experience what is possible through sport and to use sports as a vehicle for healing in the aftermath of the January 2010 earthquake.
Photograph of team Zaryen courtesy of Project Medishare.
“We are delighted to be able to work with such outstanding organizations to help the people of Haiti get back in the game,” CAF’s Senior Director of Programs and Strategic Development, Roy Perkins, said. “The Haitian people are as resilient as they come, and we will draw on our considerable experience to contribute to this effort and help those affected by the earthquake to live life to the fullest.”
The sports program began on January 9, with an amputee soccer game featuring the Zaryen (Tarantulas) team, sponsored by Project Medishare and CAF, against another amputee team calling itself the Haitian National Team. In the spring, CAF is planning a running clinic led by Robert “Bob” Gailey, PhD, PT, and supported by CAF athlete mentors. The Knights of Columbus have donated more than $1 million to ensure that every amputee child in Haiti has a functional prosthetic leg. CAF’s role will be to help show those children how to get the most out of them. The clinic will also serve to identify talented individuals who might be able to represent Haiti at the 2012 London Summer Paralympic Games.
