Basketball is a true passion for Nellie; she loves racing down the court and scoring baskets. Nellie plays on Synergy Jr. Bulls, a division that provides the opportunity for all players age 13 and under to experience the sport of wheelchair basketball. Born with spina bifida, ten-year-old Nellie continues to amaze her family with her strength and achievements.
With the help of her physical therapist, Wendy, Nellie is building up her strength to stand for longer periods with her walker and work on her trunk control. She especially enjoys swinging in the therapeutic swings after an intense session of core work with Wendy. With her hard work in therapy, she will be able to reach her new goal of racing in a 5K this year. Her big dreams as she looks to adulthood, are to race in the Chicago Marathon and become a nurse.
Nellie is so passionate about this new sport, that she is already planning her summer race schedule and will attend a camp led by the wheelchair track team at University of Illinois. Her team mentor is currently training for the 2020 Paralympics. Although she is the youngest in the training group (most are over the age of 15), her start in basketball has provided her with the confidence and love of competition that will take her far!
Nellie will share her story and love of sports at this year's R Game for Chair-ity on February 28. You can join us along with our incredible sponsors Seigle's Cabinet Center and Rieke Office Interiors for an evening of spirited chair volleyball, fun, food, drinks and raffles. All proceeds help fund our wheelchair clinic so children can have the equipment adaptions needed as they grow towards independence.
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