Lie Down OR Stand UP!

11/21/2025

Interested?

We are offering Accessible Social Sports and Recreational opportunities.
Oh yeah, we also help develop high performance athletes.

Namaste

It's time to turn your daydreams into a reality! 💭

We're celebrating 1000 days out from the start of the 2028 Paralympic Games with a first look at the PARALYMPIC COMPETITION SCHEDULE! From first-medal moments to the most action-packed days of the Games, the schedule by day and session is sure to get you amped and excited about the 2028 Paralympic Games.

To see the schedule, click here: https://bit.ly/4pbvYrW

| Paralympic Games

11/21/2025

Epic Paddle Adventures Events & Programs:

JOIN OUR TEAM!
Sunday, December 14th
The Jingle Jog 5k
SupThe Leonard and Marjorie Williams Family YMCAily YMCA
Lie Down OR Stand UP!tand UP!

Friday, DecemLake Ivanhoe ParkPaddle
Lake Ivanhoe Park

Sunday March 1st
March 4 TBI
Lake Eola Park

11/13/2025

We honor our Veterans each day. As we work toward a safer a more inclusive community, we are grateful for the support of our community partners.

We have provided and advocated for more adaptive sport programs for 15 years. It is exciting to see the growth ahead.

Thank you Challenged Athletes Foundation Orlando Health Commissioner Scott The Leonard and Marjorie Williams Family YMCA Track Shack Greater Orlando Spinal Cord Injury Network Brooks Rehabilitation

Here we Grow again!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQ9iT3Bk5bl/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet

11/08/2025

JOIN US TODAY FOR AN ADAPTIVE SPORTS OPPORTUNITIES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA

Register for the Jingle Jog, supporting the The Leonard and Marjorie Williams Family YMCA

JOIN OUR TEAM
And run with Angels

10/31/2025

Today’s the LAST DAY for Early Bird Registration!
Join our Team at the Jingle Jog 5k
Support the YMCA and help others to learn about opportunities with
Challenged Athletes Foundation Track Shack YMCA of Central Florida

💸 Register by midnight to lock in the $25 rate — tomorrow it jumps to $35! Only 8 spots left at the early price!
🏃‍♀️ The Jingle Jog 5K Fun Run & Walk is back on Sunday, December 14th at the Leonard & Marjorie Williams Family YMCA! Join us for a festive morning full of movement, music, and community spirit.

10/16/2025

We LOVE Challenged Athletes Foundation for their continued support and motivation. So many lives are positively changed with the ability to have access to mobility and movement.

We strive to create opportunities and accessibility for All in Central Florida with our Adaptive Sports and wellness programs.

We started our first Adaptive Run Club in 2011 and we’re bringing it back. We started our first Adaptive swim program in 2015 and we’re bringing it back. We started our first Adaptive rowing program in 2014 and we’re bringing it back. We have a variety of programs. We are working on to provide greater access accessibility in the city, beautiful.

Stay tuned for our upcoming schedule.

If you need any assistance or know anyone who has questions regarding the CAF GRANT, please feel free to contact us.

Service above Self,

Sean van Gerena

09/28/2025

I’m happy to announce we are bringing back our Kilts-4-A-Cause. Stay tuned to order yours before the holidays.

Join our team!

09/28/2025

We serve as a pathway to Paralympic Sports. Sean van Gerena providing coaching, mentoring and fun.

Congrats 🎊 to our own Teacher Trainee, Sean van Gerena, in his quest to compete in the Tokyo Paralympic Games. We are super proud of you Sean. Sean posted this update:
The Tour to Tokyo
As the Tokyo Games draw closer, I want to thank my friends, family, sponsors, and community partners. The support you provide allows the opportunity for me to accomplish amazing things and meet amazing people from around this beautiful planet.
After 18 months without competition, I traveled to Arizona for an opportunity to compete in the Tokyo Paralympic Games. A severe hamstring injury prevented any jumping for 4 weeks prior to the Desert Challenge Games. Finishing the 400m slower than desired on a sticky Arizona HS track at 11:30, 105 degrees was frustrating, but I gave what I could. (not being able to run broken 200m sprints the last three weeks was the main factor, muscle tone just crushed me on the last 120m) With no full jumps for 4 weeks, I set a new PR and earned a Bronze Medal, placing me in the top 4 in the Americas and Top 10 in the world. (I needed on more meet)
We finish this Tour earning a Gold Medal, Silver Medal, and 4 Bronze Medals since May 2018.
Unfortunately, with 1 opportunity, my marks did not earn a ticket for me and my coach Tony Burgos to compete in Tokyo. Disappointment, frustration, confusion, loss of appetite. It’s traumatic when it’s your life. Despite feeling tremendous loss, I know the lessons learned and that taste of… in my mouth will aid in preparation for what I have yet to accomplish. My Tour to Tokyo may have ended unexpectedly and abruptly, but I am grateful for the journey to aid in my growth as a person. To experience the Joy and Pride to represent the Country of your Citizenship and mi Isla Del Encanto (a Star), an Island with roots to your soul. Lucky, Blessed, Grateful, you could start an Etsy store with verbiage to describe my life.
We have experienced much and I am grateful for everything. Especially, my new brothers and sisters. For those chosen to travel to Tokyo, I will wave my Flag with pride, cheering all of you to great success.
To the administrators, coaches, my friends, and teammates who have earned an opportunity to represent Team USA, honor you I do. You have my admiration and support also. I will also wave my flag as I cheer you on. I wish you great success.
As of now, we train and prepare for an option to compete again before the end of this year. Team Tortuga continues to grow as I finish my Yoga Teacher Training, spend time working on Lie Down OR Stand UP! and identify where to explore the next?
Challenges are opportunities to learn, grow and become greater. 🙏🏾🇺🇸🇵🇷

06/03/2025

Our organization utilizes education to advocate for survivors and their families. Our organization utilizes education as an aid to creating safer more inclusive communities in central Florida. Our organization utilizes education to manifest, mindfulness and compassion.

Please educate yourself about the impact of budget cuts to programs. The changes will have ripping effects negating, injury prevention education, health benefits, legal rights and quality of life.

Thank you for educating yourself and others.

Share by Brain Injury Association of America

Washington, D.C. — Newly proposed work requirements for Medicaid recipients could have devastating consequences for people living with brain injury. While policymakers may argue that these measures promote workforce participation and personal responsibility, the reality is far more complex for people living with invisible disabilities.

“The effects of brain injury are often unseen to outside observers,” said Rick Willis, President and CEO of the Brain Injury Association of America. “Executive dysfunction, memory loss, communication difficulties, and behavioral changes can make it difficult for survivors to maintain consistent employment. Many people living with the lifelong effects of brain injury are currently using Medicaid and would face significant challenges without accommodations to the current proposal.”

Brain injury can develop into a chronic health condition, which has lifelong impacts on employment. According to research from the CDC, most people (55%) with moderate to severe TBI do not have a job 5 years after their injury.

https://biausa.org/public-affairs/public-awareness/news/medicaid-work-requirements-would-leave-brain-injury-survivors-behind

Newly proposed work requirements for Medicaid recipients could have devastating consequences for people living with brain injury.

04/01/2025

Years of progress in education and injury prevention are all at risk. The long term cost of education is a small investment with major dividends.
We educate and advocate with your voices. let them be heard.

Yesterday, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a restructuring in accordance with President Trump’s Executive Order, “Implementing the President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative.” The plan combines personnel cuts, centralization of functions, and consolidation of HHS divisions. The current 82,000 full-time employees will be reduced to 62,000. It will go into effect in 60 days. These cuts will impact the Administration for Community Living, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and more. Learn more about the decision and the impact it will have: https://bit.ly/4l779fJ

03/04/2025

Today is March 4th
Today we March 4 TBI
As proclaimed here in the City Beautiful
And Orange County as Brain Injury Awareness Day.

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

Special thanks to our Survivors and their families, to overcome challenges each day and attending the 12th annual March 4 TBI.

Much Gratitude for our community leaders compassionately supporting survivors and their families. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, Representative Anna V. Eskamani, Shan Rose, Commissioner Scott, were all in attendance.

Thank you Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings for your continued support to educate and advocate for survivors Brain Injury and their families.

And thank you to our partners, from the YMCA and the Orlando VA Medical Center.

Today, be sure to wear your green!

03/01/2025