Image: BORP logo in blue and orange, 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 | BORP Adaptive Sports Expo | Chris Finn Memorial Poker Slam - Recap | Special Announcements | Community Resources | Social Media Links | Mission Statement | Office Address

Game-changing, Life-changing

Yesterday morning I was forwarded a deeply moving thank-you email from the mother of a young man with a traumatic brain injury. She shared that after attending three or more BORP programs on a weekly basis, “the best part of his week,” her son Milo regained not only fitness but independence and his sense of self.

Working with a BORP staff member with a disability “who was happy, independent and out in the world … made her son strong in spirit and health.” It was initially quite a challenge for Milo to navigate the bus on his own and relearn how to exercise in a new body, but over time it became routine. In fact, he's developed the tenacity to apply for and attend a college prep program at the Colorado Center for the Blind.

Working up the courage to try something new--something hard--is often the biggest obstacle to personal transformation. At BORP, we recognize how intimidating it might be to try a new activity with a disability. That's why we created the Adaptive Sports Expo. It is the best time to have fun and get a first taste from our full menu of adaptive activities in a safe and welcoming environment. Please, spread the word about Expo to anyone you know with or without a disability. And come yourself on October 14th! Help us get people to take that first step, because once they do, obstacles transform into opportunities. 



In community,

Image: Two people going into the bike shed; one person walking, being led, with his hand on the shoulder of another person leading him in a wheelchair.

Saturday October 14th!!

We've got a ton of cool things lined up for the Expo: Family-Friendly games and activities like ping-pong, face painting, pumpkin carving; great BBQ from Oakland Smokehouse; music, contests, vendor booths, and more.   

The Expo is also your best opportunity to try out a range of different adaptive sports and activities. BORP staff and coaches will offer fun and safe opportunities to learn more about and try cycling, kayaking, power soccer, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, goalball, adaptive fitness classes, pickleball, and rock climbing. Click the poster (to the right) to sign up,

ACCOMMODATIONS REQUEST: If you need an accommodation to assist you in signing up, please email andrew@borp.org, or call 510-225-7041 as soon as possible.

Volunteers needed! Click here to sign up for a shift; Expo Volunteer

Image: a poster with box shapes showing five different photos of BORP activities, with the BORP logo and text about the event, including a list of sports and the logo for a Kaiser Permanente Northern California Community & Government Relations Event Sponsorship.

Thank you to everyone who made the Chris Finn Memorial Poker Slam a big success! We increased the goal by 50% and exceeded it - bringing in more than $15,000 to support BORP's powerhouse adaptive sports teams.

Congratulations to Abeba Benton who took home the grand prize with two aces! Condolences to Dan Fernandez, who read the cards and...smiled.

We could not have done it without the amazing support of volunteers! A huge shout out to Leigh Shemaria who headed up a team of 9 volunteers who put together the amazing food for the night. Robin Chinn held down the evening with excellent tournament facilitation.

If you are interested in helping make the event bigger and better next year, contact andrew@borp.org.

Many thanks to our Sponsors

Image 1: Three people at a red felt poker table with a pile of chips on it with three players: a man looking sad, and woman in a sky blue sweater holding her arms up in victory and a woman next to her leaning back clapping and laughing. Image 2: The Final hand at the Poker Slam. Cards and piles of chips are on the green felt of the poker table. Several people are watching. Abeba is responding in surprise at being dealt a second ace. Dan (who is dealing) is smiling. Image3: A series of logo images including: Pixar, Hilton Hotels, Oakland Roots, Young / Legion of Honor Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, Drake's Brewing, SF Moma,, San Jose Quakes, Dashe Cellars, Lagunitas Brewing Company, and The Cheeseboard Collective.

Special Announcements

The Cycling Center will have a revised schedule on Expo Day, Saturday Oct 14th, We will close the Cycle Center at 1:00 PM. Last riders go out at 12 noon & there will be no SF Cycling program on Oct 14th. We encourage you to introduce someone new to cycling and/or try out some of the other BORP programs. Click HERE for Expo details

Gary Duong, adaptive cyclist and entrepreneur, has launched Chicable, a new smart, stylish and adaptive clothing brand designed for people with disabilities. Check out his wares online at: https://chicabl.com and Instagram: @chicableapparel .

We are excited to announce the return of the BORP Goalball Invitational Tournament, Saturday December 9th 2023 at the James Kenney Community Center. Contact Brandon Young for more details, brandon@borp.org.

The Challenged Athletes Foundation fall grant cycle is open. Apply now for personal grants for equipment, training, or travel. BORP coaches are happy to provide letters of support. Opportunity closes November 3rd, so don't wait! Click here to learn more

East Bay United Soccer Club hosts the TOPSoccer Festival, October 28, 2023 at the Ken Mercer Sports Park. TOPSoccer is a community-based recreational program designed for participants of all ages with intellectual, emotional, and/or physical disabilities. The program uses a volunteer buddy system and strives to provide soccer opportunities for all players in a safe, fun, supportive, and inclusive environment. Sign up today at calnorth.org

Join The Bionic Project on October 29th at beautiful Crissy Field for an inclusive race that offers two flat, fast distances: 1 mile and 5K. Athletes of all skill levels, speeds, and abilities are welcome.

The Bionic Project brings people together to celebrate the miracle of mobility. Come run, walk, or roll with us! Click for Info

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