REGIONAL
matters
Adaptive Pickleball – A Huge Hit in Vermont
V
ermont, well-known for its production of maple syrup and
picturesque wintry landscapes, is also the country’s leading
producer of marble. But the Green Mountain state is also fast
becoming a popular location for the sport of pickleball. More importantly,
its adaptive pickleball program in the Burlington area has been a huge hit
with individuals with disabilities.
The EDD Memorial Fund, a nonprofit group dedicated to sharing sports
with people with disabilities, recently reached out to the pickleball
community in Burlington with hopes of bringing the sport to many of the
athletes. “The reaction was an instant hit—everyone loved it,” says Vince
Thibault, USAPA Ambassador. “While the court lines and rules are not
always observed, everyone just simply loves connecting with the ball—and
when they are able to hit it over the net, well, that just makes their day.”
After just three sessions, the free program was met with an enthusiastic
response from the participants and their families. Certainly a welcome
addition to the local community.
For over three years, the EDD Memorial Fund has organized adaptive
pickleball programs in the central New York area and plans are well
underway to expand it even further by introducing pickleball to more
individuals. More than 4,000 young people have played at the clinics since
1997. “We are so excited to be able to bring adaptive pickleball to the
people in Vermont as the sport offers ideal opportunities for our athletes
and their families to fully enjoy,” said Gretchen Owens, Executive Director
of the EDD Memorial Fund.
The fund was created in July 1997 in memory of Eric Douglas
Dettenrieder, a vivacious and kind young man who died at age 23
in a tragic skiing accident. He also happens to be Gretchen Owens’
brother. “It’s our hope that the tragedy of Eric’s sudden death could be
transformed into a lasting celebration of his life,” she said. “Eric learned
to ski at a very young age and his passion for skiing continued throughout
his life. He was happiest on the slopes and took every opportunity to ski.
After graduating from Muhlenberg College, Eric began working as a race
coordinator at Hunter Mountain. He also spent time teaching terminally ill
children how to ski, an experience that moved him deeply and became the
inspiration for the EDD Memorial Fund.”
The program began modestly, and it was quickly realized that the need
to help kids with disabilities learn to play sports was of paramount
importance. Since then, the EDD Memorial Fund’s mission grew to include
both children and adults with disabilities. The EDD Memorial Fund has
helped thousands of children and adults of all abilities experience the joy
and freedom that Eric so readily found through his passion for downhill
skiing.
Photo Credit – EDD Adaptive Sports
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