First Dance participants. Photographs courtesy of OPAF and The First ClinicsIn March, OPAF and The First Clinics held its inaugural First Dance event in Detroit, Michigan, as well as a First Volley Adaptive Tennis and a First Swing/Learn to Golf clinic in Orlando, Florida.
Special Opportunities for Advanced Rehabilitation (SOAR) and Elegance in Motion Dance Studio, hosted First Dance. More than 20 participants, plus family, friends, and partners had the opportunity to try waltz, salsa, and other dance types, according to an OPAF press release.
“First Dance has fulfilled a personal wish to bring social dance to the O&P population,” OPAF Executive Director Robin Burton said. “There are many First Clinic participants who may not envision themselves in a swimming pool or on a tennis court, but everyone remembers social dancing. First Dance gives participants a fun activity, with a partner for balance, and gets them into a great social setting to meet other people.”
First Volley clinic participants.
Prosthetic & Orthotic Associates (POA), Orlando, Florida, hosted a First Volley Adaptive Tennis and a First Swing/Learn to Golf clinic during the recent American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (the Academy) annual meeting in Orlando. Held at the Caribe Royale Resort, more than 20 persons with amputation and other physical challenges participated in the tennis clinic, which was led by instructor Marie Vanasse, CP. United States Tennis Association (USTA) Florida and Bordentown, New Jersey-based Prince Sports were also a part of the clinic.
First Swing/Learn to Golf participants.
The First Swing/Learn to Golf clinic-held at the Grand Cypress Golf Academy-provided an opportunity for more than 12 amputees to receive golf instruction. The golf clinic was led by Dan Cox, who was assisted by POA’s Stan Patterson, CPO, and amputee golfer, Jordan Thomas.
“I haven’t played since college. I forgot how much fun it was. I’m glad I came,” Ritchie, a wheelchair participant at the First Volley clinic, said.
