Adaptive water sports set for Saturday

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Isabelle Green is counting down the days to Saturday. That’s when the eight-year-old, living with the challenges of arthrogryposis, will experience a day drenched in fun as GRHealth and Champions Made From Adversity team up again for adaptive water skiing at Lake Thurmond.

“Isabelle looks forward to the ski clinic every year,” her mom Tania Green said. “Her favorite event is tubing, but what she likes most is being with her friends from children’s rehab outside of a hospital setting.”

Children born with arthrogryposis have joint contractures, or stiffening; their joints don’t move as much as normal and may be stuck in one position. Most contractures happen in the arms and the legs, but they can also affect the jaw and the spine.

“Isabelle deals with multiple contractures in her limbs and has no flexibility in her hands,” Green said. “But that doesn’t stop her from enjoying her time at the lake.”

Children and adults ages 6 to 80 with physical or cognitive disabilities have the opportunity to adaptively ski, swim, and take rides on inner tubes and boats at Points West Army Resort, a picturesque military retreat in Appling on the 71,000-acre lake. Children’s events are set for 10 a.m., and adult activities begin at 1:30 p.m.

To register as a volunteer or a participant, or for more information on the adaptive ski clinic, please visit cmfa.us, or call GRHealth Rehabilitation Services at 706-721-9737.