The North Texas Chapter of the United Spinal Association (USA) seeks to bring together local organizations and uses pickleball as an increasingly popular way to attract new members.
Some Exciting News
They have just announced some exciting news – their Para Pickleball Program, out of Chicken N Pickle outlets in Grand Prairie and Grapevine, Texas, has been invited to showcase a wheelchair pickleball exhibition at the 2023 Biofreeze USA Pickleball National Championship at Brook Haven Country Club, Farmers Branch, Texas on Sunday, November 5th from 4 to 6 p.m.
About The North Texas Chapter Of The USA
The North Texas chapter of the United Spinal Association is dedicated to becoming an informational hub for persons with spinal cord injuries in North Texas.
They centralize the local resources of groups currently assisting our consumers, improve independence, help gain employment, encourage advocacy, and foster social growth.
About The United Spinal Association
United Spinal Association empowers and advocates for people with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) and all wheelchair users to achieve the highest quality of life possible.
United Spinal was founded in New York City in 1946 by WWII-paralyzed veterans who campaigned for greater civil rights and independence for themselves and their fellow vets.
Today, the USA has more than 100,000 wheelchair users, 50+ chapters, 180+ support groups, and 100+ rehabilitation and hospital partners nationwide, as well as 10 distinguished spinal cord injury model system centers supporting innovative projects and research in the field of SCI.
Membership in the United Spinal Association is free and open to anyone living with a spinal cord injury or disease, their family members, friends, and healthcare providers.
Membership includes a free one-year subscription to New Mobility, the member magazine of United Spinal.
Pickleball For All
Carvana, the online buying and selling used cars company, celebrated Mobility Awareness Month in May with Pickleball For All — an accessible pickleball exhibition and clinic for athletes of all abilities.
Alongside the burgeoning national pickleball entertainment complex, Chicken N Pickle, and the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA Tour), the event brought attention to the millions of Americans who live with mobility limitations and how pickleball could be a part of their everyday lives.
As part of its mission to provide accessible mobility for all, Carvana donated a different set of wheels this year – two sports wheelchairs apiece to the North Texas Chapter of the United Spinal Association, the Southwest Wheelchair Athletic Association, and the Dallas Junior Wheelchair Mavericks for aspiring athletes in the area.
“Accessible, Approachable, And Inclusive”
“Through our partnership with the PPA Tour, we’ve learned just how accessible, approachable, and inclusive pickleball can be for fans,” said Carvana Co-Founder and Chief Brand Officer Ryan Keeton.
“We’re here to serve happiness in the pickleball space and help bring even more players and fans to the game, so we created an experience that reflects our dedication to the sport, our customers and shared our people-first values for the inaugural Pickleball For All clinic.”
Learning About Adaptive Pickleball
The first annual Pickleball For All event invited all ages to play, watch, and learn about adaptive pickleball with pros and para-athletes alike.
The event featured a pickleball exhibition with top-ranking PPA Tour athletes and professional para-athletes, including American Paralympics table tennis player Pam Fontaine, former Motocross athlete and spinal cord injury survivor Taylor Nichols, famed para-athlete and pickleball ambassador Jamie Elliot and PPA Tour senior pro and broadcaster Dave Fleming.
Chicken N Pickle also donated 10% of a day’s food and beverage sales to the North Texas chapter of the United Spinal Association in support of the first annual Pickleball For All clinic.
A Perfect Opportunity
“One of pickleball’s greatest strengths is its accessibility,” said Tom Dundon, Investor in the PPA Tour.
“Conducting the inaugural Pickleball For All clinic in conjunction with Mobility Awareness Month is a perfect opportunity to bring athletes of all abilities together to showcase the incredibly welcoming nature of our sport.
“We can’t wait to champion accessible mobility in pickleball alongside our partners Carvana and Chicken N Pickle ahead of the highly-anticipated Selkirk Texas Open.”
Keep an eye on the Chicken N Pickle events page for information about the next event.
Ability 360
Ability 360 in Arizona provides exceptional adaptive sports, recreation, aquatic, and fitness programs that promote the independence, health, and overall well-being of people with disabilities and their family members. Pickleball is included in its list of activities.
Visit their website at ability360sports.org or phone them at 602 386-4566. Their offices are located at 5031 East Washington St., Phoenix, AZ 85034.
