Image: BORP logo in black, a stylized drawing of person in a moving wheelchair plus the words BORP adaptive sports and recreation.

In This Issue: From the desk of Emily Seelenfreund | Access California | Adaptive Cycling | Adaptive Kayaking | Fitness | Power Soccer Power | Chris Finn Memorial Poker Slam - Invitation | BORP Adaptive Sports Expo - Save the Date | Adventures & Outings | BORP Covid-19 Guidelines | Social Media Links | Mission Statement | Office Address

As we wrap up Disability Pride Month, I wanted to talk about my favorite disability slogan- “Nothing about us without us”. This powerful phrase stands for the principle that people with disabilities should be driving the policies and programs fighting for full access. Two-thirds of BORP staff are persons with disabilities- and 100% of BORP staff are strong advocates- with technical expertise and passion for serving the disability community.



BORP being disability led is a huge asset in so many ways! Our goalball and youth wheelchair basketball coaches are Paralympic athletes - passing on high-level skills to the next generation. Our Access California Director has literally written the book(s) on accessible Bay Area outdoor recreation. BORP’s A&O Manager was voted the 2020 Californian of the Year by the Outdoor Writer’s Association, recognizing her 40+ year history of adaptive advocacy. Most importantly, our participants benefit from mentors who understand what can often be an isolating experience - because they’ve lived it too.



Read on to learn about some exciting upcoming events that will allow you to see our All-Star BORP staff in action!  

Image: A Photo of some BORP staff, left to right Cynthia Noonan, Mia Feldbaum, Brandon Young, Pepper (Cynthia's Yellow Lab), Jorge Macias, Emily Seelenfreund, Terri Fredlund, Lori Gray, Andrew Page, four are using wheelchairs. Absent staff are: Bonnie Lewkowicz, Alex Aupart, Trooper Johnson, Sarah-Dawn Smith, and Julie Yates.

Bird Viewing: Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary, Alameda 

Wednesday, August 30, 2:00 PM

Join BORP and Golden Gate Audubon for an accessible bird viewing to see returning shorebirds at Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary led by local bird expert Maureen Lahiff. Shorebirds begin arriving in the Bay Area in late July, especially those stopping to refuel on their way to Central and South America. Many will still be molting out of their summer plumage. This is a chance to see Black-bellied Plovers with black bellies. 



This trip requires very little traveling. The path is paved, however, we will likely also travel on a mowed lawn to get better views. Group size is limited to 12 and priority (although not limited to) will be given to people with spinal cord injuries due to our funders (Craig Neilsen Foundation) requirements. 

Please register by contacting Judith Smith judithsmith313@gmail.com or 510-914- 0870 and note whether you have a mobility disability or are accompanying someone with a disability. 

Image: A Black-Bellied Plover is standing on a flinty surface. Bother are grey with speckles of white. The Plover, indeed, had a black splotch on his belly, and is holding something that looks like a pebble in his beak.

Adaptive Cycling Center

Adaptive Cycling Center Location and Hours:

Temporary closure 7/15 - 8/5 due to construction

SF Cycling Program continues

80 Bolivar Drive, Berkeley, 94710 (click for map)

Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays

Rain or Shine

9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

By appointment only. Same day appointments welcome. 

Contact cycling@borp.org or 510-848-2930 to ride.

City of Berkeley Seeks Your Aesthetic Input



Here's your chance to weigh in on the art that will be installed around the Aquatic Park trail. Take this survey to give feedback on strengths, weaknesses, public appeal, and integration of two types of public art. Survey closes at 5:00 pm on August 4, 2023. 

Complete the survey by 5:00 pm on August 4

Image 1: Photographic rendering of artist Jean Shin's proposal for art along the Aquatic Park loop trail. It is a larger than life (roughly twelve feet in height) abalone shell with writing on it that says, "RUNNING BREATHLESSLY..." The shell has an opalescent sheen.

Banner Image: Two paddlers at Aquatic Park, with a seagull flying by. Image 1: Two paddlers in a tandem boat smile at the camera while paddling.

BORP KAYAKING



We're excited to open EIGHT more kayak days throughout this season! We will be offering our usual gorgeous paddling and Fit Appointments at Aquatic Park as well as THREE destination trips through partnerships with East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) and Environmental Traveling Companions (ETC). 

Please use our new Reservation Request Form. If you have any questions, please email kayak@borp.org to join the email list to be alerted when future dates are scheduled.

Banner Image: Two paddlers at Aquatic Park, with a seagull flying by.

Osteoporosis Prevention Workshop



Special Workshop Thursday September 14th 5pm at the BORP Fitness Studio

Join Dr. Kjersten Skjold, DPT, C/NDT, Cert- MMOA, CF-L1, for an interactive and informative workshop on how exercise can impact bone strength, prevent osteoporosis and even improve bone strength after diagnosis. The workshop will cover reducing the risk & severity of osteoporosis (bone weakness) by keeping our bones strong through exercise with consideration for the seated athlete/ individual and is appropriate for people of all abilities.

Dr. Skjold is a physical therapist and the founder of NeuroRx Physical Therapy, a practice that specializes in physical rehabilitation and fitness for individuals with a variety of neurological conditions. Over the past 8 years as a physical therapist and CrossFit Level 1 Trainer she has developed a passion for helping people of varying abilities reach their functional mobility and performance goals.

Some of her specialties include working with people that have had strokes and brain injuries, the older adult population 55+, and functional fitness athletes.

Image 1: Photo of Dr. Kjersten Skjold outdoors with trees in the background

Summer Workout Series with Jorge: Fitness for All



Register here for Jorge's Fitness for All Summer Workout Series.

Location: Ed Roberts Campus, 3075 Adeline St, Berkeley (click for map)

Dates: Fridays through to October 6th

Time: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM

Class Fee: Donation Based. No one turned away for lack of funds.

The Shockers, BORP's Power Soccer team, tabled at the Oakland Roots professional soccer game on June 29! The Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club is the East Bay’s best and most community-connected soccer team (bias acknowledged). BORP’s Power Soccer team was invited to engage the team’s fans and let them know about Power Soccer. The Shockers were there in force with informational displays, a Strikeforce Power Chair, and stickers and flyers created by the team. 

 

We cheered for our new allies and spread the word about all BORP has to offer. The Shockers also were able to publicly display their bronze victory for the first time since returning! We’d like to extend a huge thank-you to the team for their support and generosity, and we look forward to seeing their future games – and to them seeing ours! The Oakland Roots and Soul Sports Club is also providing season tickets as a prize for the Chris Finn Memorial Poker Slam. Another reason to sign up for the Poker Slam today! 

Image 1: Four players from BORP's Power Soccer team, the Shockers, tabling. They have a tent with the BORP logo and materials on the table. A woman is leaning over the table talking to two players.

The Chris Finn Memorial Poker Slam



BORP’s annual Poker Slam is dedicated to raising travel funds for our Power Soccer Program and BORP team travel. Each year, up to 100 individuals come to the atrium space at the Ed Roberts Campus where our offices are located to participate in a Texas Hold’em poker tournament. The event is designed to appeal to a wide range of community members and includes an introductory poker tutorial. Most attendees are new or inexperienced players and prize winners have included complete novices in the game. 

This annual event has been renamed in honor of Chris Finn, who was a renowned player and coach and who initiated BORP’s Poker Slam to support team travel.

Event Details

Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023

Time: 5:00 Pm to 10:00 PM

Location: Ed Roberts Campus, 3075 Adeline St., Berkeley, CA 94703

Interested in being an event sponsor or sponsoring a table of eight players? contact Development Director Andrew Page andrew@borp.org

A mostly red Poster with a photo of Chris Finn in a tuxedo with four aces behind him and stars like he's hit the jackpot. Text reads: The Chris Finn Memorial Poker Slam. A banner says, You're Invited!" Other text reads, "Helps us raise $15,000 for BORP team travel and have a great tie doing it. Sponsorship Opportunities: Event Sponsors $2,500 (include 2 complimentary buy-ins). Table sponsor for a full 8-person table $980. In-kind Sponsors, Variable." Most other text in the poster is repeated in the article.

Saturday October 14th!!

BORP's first ever Adaptive Sports Expo is happening this fall. We are activating all our programs for an all-day adaptive sports extravaganza. All Activities will be free (except the BBQ). Activities for the kids. More details to come.

Click the poster (to the right) to be added to the list for more information when it is available.

For all A&O events call or email Lori Gray to confirm your attendance.

lori@borp.org 510-843-4398 - Call only after 10:00 AM

Space is limited at all A&O events. Please be sure to sign up early and, if you find you are unable to attend, let us know as soon as possible so that another interested participant has a chance to join the fun. Email Lori for the complete calendar.

Monday, August 14th 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Theme: The Tudors: Powerful People, Powerful Objects

The Tudors remain the most fascinating royal family in English history. The Tudor rulers brought new prestige to the British monarchy and made England one of the most powerful nations of their age. On our tour, we will look at objects--from armor to apparel--that reflected the personalities and projected the power of the Tudor monarchs from Henry the Seventh to Elizabeth the First. We hope you'll join us.

Click for event details.

Image 1: Portrait of Henry VIII of England. He's a large man with a reddish beard. He's wearing very ornate and bejeweled regalia that looks heavy. The outer layer is golden and has ermine collar. He's holding a pair of gloves and has rings on each index finger.

Lori Gray with her 2020 Californian of the Year Award from the Outdoor Writers Association of America. It just recently arrived at the office. It took a while, but the dedication is in braille. You should have seen the look on Lori's face when she found that out.

Big smiles.

Image 1: Photo of Lori Gray in a straw Panama Hat and a red and black checkered flannel shirt sitting in her power chair holding her award from the Outdoor Writers Association of America.

Reminder: To keep up to date on the latest protocols from BORP around masking, vaccination requirements, and more, please visit borp.org/covid-guidelines. BORP has pandemic-related safety protocols (masking and vaccination requirements) for indoor and outdoor activities, the Adventures & Outings program, and the Adaptive Cycling Center for all individuals aged 5 years and older.

Our Facebook page features what’s happening at BORP, news about adaptive sports, fitness, and recreation, and other issues of interest to the disability community. BORP is also on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Follow, like, and subscribe to us across all your social media platforms!

Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program (BORP) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization working to improve the health, independence and social integration of people with physical disabilities and visual impairments through sports, fitness and recreation programs. www.borp.org 

Image: BORP logo in black, a stylized drawing of person in a moving wheelchair plus the words BORP adaptive sports and recreation