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Sheltering Arms Celebrates 20 Years of Golfers Overcoming Disability to Continue Playing Their Favorite Sport

(Richmond, VA) – Nearly every weekend, golf tournaments are held in the Richmond area.  For the most part, they’re very similar – participants are competing to have the best score, have fun, and perhaps win prizes.  A non-profit organization may also be involved.  The 20th Annual Different Strokes Golf Extravaganza from Sheltering Arms has had all these features for two decades, plus one more very important one: participants who had to work hard for the ability to walk or use their limbs, let alone play golf.

The Different Strokes Golf Extravaganza, to be held at the nine-hole Lake Course at Windy Hill Golf and Sports Complex, has an usual requirement.  Each foursome participating in the tourney must include one golfer who is disabled.  The event highlights Sheltering Arms’ therapy programs, as well as the hard work demonstrated by individuals who just wanted to get back to playing their favorite sport.

Many of the disabled participants in the tournament are enrolled in an innovative program from Sheltering Arms that uses golf as a therapy sport. The Adaptive Golf Program works with individuals who are disabled due to injury or disease, teaching them the Power to Overcome their disabilities and start playing golf.  In some cases, they’re learning the game as beginners, and some cases they already know the game but need to learn how to overcome disability to start playing again.

“Golf is an outstanding therapy sport, as it gets people moving and focused on a goal,” said Sheltering Arms President Jim Sok.  “Not only does it promote increased flexibility, mobility in the joints, and higher metabolism … it’s a lot of fun.”

One of the many tools available to participants in the Adaptive Golf Program is the Paragolfer™, a unique mobility aid that not only gives disabled golfers an easy way to get around the course, but also brings them to a standing position to strike the ball.  At least two Paragolfer units will be available for use by golfers during the golf tournament.  The units are owned by Windy Hill and can be used by golfers who have been fully trained in their operation.

The Different Strokes Golf Extravaganza will be held on Saturday, October 27, with registration at 12:00 noon and a shotgun start at 1:30 p.m.  The fee for an individual is $45.  Each participant will receive lunch before the tournament and a desert reception afterward.  For more information, contact Valerie Newman at (804) 764-5275.

About Sheltering Arms
Sheltering Arms helps patients find the Power to Overcome the obstacles of illness and injury with a complete range of physical rehabilitation and wellness services.  To learn more about Sheltering Arms’ two hospitals and nine outpatient clinics visit http://www.ShelteringArms.com, call 1-877-56-REHAB, or connect with Sheltering Arms on Facebook or Twitter.

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