Move United
Move United is an American non-profit organization devoted to the promotion of parasports among youths and adults with physical disabilities. The organization operates community parasports programs via over 150 local chapters across the country.[3] Move United was formed in 2020 as a merger of two organizations; Disabled Sports USA, which was first founded in 1956 and based in Rockville, Maryland,[4][5] and Adaptive Sports USA, a second organization founded in 1967. Move United is a member of the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee.[6] As of 2020, the organization operates programs serving 100,000 residents in 43 states.[6]
 | |
| Formation | 2020 as merger of Disabled Sports USA (1956) and Adaptive Sports USA (1967). |
|---|---|
| 94-6174016[1] | |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization |
| Purpose | "to provide national leadership and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence, and fitness through participation in community sports, competition, recreation, high performance sport and educational programs."[2] |
| Headquarters | Rockville, Maryland[1] |
| Coordinates | 39.0895234°N 77.1511348°W |
Region served |  |
Executive Director | Glenn Merry[1] |
President | John Blossom[1] |
| Affiliations | Member of United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee |
Revenue (2014) | $3,540,855[1] |
| Expenses (2014) | $3,248,182[1] |
Employees (2013) | 16[1] |
Volunteers (2014) | 745[1] |
| Website | www |
History
Adaptive Sports USA was established in 1956, as the National Wheelchair Athletic Association, by disabled military veterans to help rehabilitate the war injured returning from Korea.[7] Disabled Sports USA was established in 1967 as the National Amputee Skiers Association; among its founders was Jim Winthers, an amputee soldier who was a veteran of the 10th Mountain Division.[8][9]
In 2020, the two organizations merged as Move United, introducing a new identity by Superunion. A goal was announced for the organization to serve 90% of the U.S. population with local programs by 2028, in time for the 2028 Summer Paralympics in Los Angeles.[6]
Activities
Move United offer numerous nationwide programs for individuals with physical disabilities, including:
Ski Spectacular
Operating annually since 1987, the event is one of the nation's largest winter sports events for people with a disability with more than 700 participants[10] ranging in ability from first-time skiers to members of the US Paralympic Alpine Skiing National Team coming together.[11][12] Participants of all ages participate in snow sports made accessible by adaptive equipment, and certified professionals and volunteers.[13][14] Programs offered at The Hartford Ski Spectacular help strengthen and expand adaptive ski programs in communities throughout the U.S.; identify and train youth, wounded warriors,[15][16][17] and others with disabilities including those who strive to be winter Paralympians; and help local DSUSA chapters improve their services. A week of ski race training, sponsored by US Paralympics, prepares athletes for the Paralympic Games.
Move United Warfighter
Move United Warfighter offers sports rehabilitation programs in military hospitals, including Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center and Naval Medical Center San Diego, and communities across the U.S. through a nationwide network of over 150 community-based chapters. The Move United Warfighter program rebuilds lives through sports by improving self-confidence, promoting independence and uniting families through shared healthy activities.[18]
Move United Warfighters offers more than 50 winter and summer sports at more than 100 events each year, for wounded members of the United States Armed Forces with amputations, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, visual impairments, and significant nerve and muscle damage. In 2013, over 1,500 severely wounded warriors were provided adaptive sports opportunities.[19]
Challenge Magazine
Challenge Magazine, published three times each year for over 10 years, provides over 35,000 subscribers the latest news and articles on sports for people with disabilities.[20]
Harris Poll validates effectiveness of adaptive sports
In 2009, Move United commissioned Harris Interactive to conduct research among American adults with physical disabilities in order to explore the attitudes and behaviors of people with disabilities towards sports and recreation.[21] Specifically, the new research determine that being engaged in sports activities has helped make a difference in terms of increased health, happiness and employment.[22] The major finding of the poll of 1,000 people with disabilities was that "people with disabilities who indicate that they are physically active are more likely to be employed, to believe that being physically active has helped them advance in their jobs, and to lead to a healthier lifestyle. Those physically active report a greater life satisfaction and are more sociable and positive about their life prospects."[23]
Awards
Move United administers three national awards for individuals or organizations who have made significant achievements in disabled sports.
National Disabled Ski Hall of Fame Award
The Disabled Hall of Fame Award recognizes outstanding individuals who have made significant contributions to disabled skiing in two categories: Recreational/Developmental and Competition.[24] The award in the Recreational/Development category recognizes an individual who has a minimum of five-years of experience in the disabled skiing field and has made a significant contribution to the field, including innovative techniques, specialized equipment, program development, education or public relations. The award in the Competition category recognizes an individual (participant or coach), who has been active in disabled ski racing for a minimum of three years. Race results, team participation, innovative coaching techniques, and event promotions are considered for this category. Competitive racers and coaches must be retired from active racing or coaching for a minimum of three years prior to nomination.
| Year | Competition | Recreation/Development |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Willie Stewart | John Humbrecht |
| 2017 | Mary Riddell | Geoff Krill |
| 2016 | Jon "JK" Kreamelmeyer | Kirsten Atkins |
| 2015 | Brian Santos, Ray Watkins | Bill Bowness |
| 2014 | Candace Cable | Katherine Hayes-Rodriguez |
| 2013 | Jason Lalla | Gene Gamber |
| 2012 | Muffy Davis | Kathy Chandler |
| 2011 | Monte Meiers | Dr. Bob Harney |
| 2010 | Sarah Will | Meeche White |
| 2009 | Steve Cook | Bob Meserve |
| 2008 | Sarah Billmeier | Bobby Palm |
| 2007 | Greg Manino | Peter Axelson |
| 2006 | Chris Waddell | Sandy Trombetta |
| 2003 | Jim Martinson | Beth Fox, Doug Keil |
| 2001 | Fred Tassone | Gwen Allard, Dr. Duane Messner, Dr. Frand Chang |
| 2000 | Danny Puffpaff | Norbert Fischer |
| 1999 | Shannon Bloedel | Dollie Armstrong |
| 1998 | David Jamison | Rod Hernley |
| 1997 | Doug Pringle | Hal O’Leary |
| 1996 | Jack Benedick | Jim Winthers & Paul Leimkuehler |
| 1995 | Diana Golden | Willie Williams |
Jim Winthers Volunteer Award
The Jim Winthers Volunteer Award recognizes life-time contributions and significant achievements in furthering the mission of DMove United.[26] Nominees for this award must have contributed a minimum of 10 years of service to Disabled Sports USA or one of its chapters. The Jim Winthers Volunteer Award is named in honor of Jim Winthers, a WWII veteran who was a member of the U.S. 10th Mountain Division- the Skiing 10th — an elite group specifically trained for alpine warfare. He eventually became a pioneer in teaching adaptive skiing, beginning with two friends who became amputees in the war; he taught them to ski on one leg using techniques he was in Europe. Jim Winthers, with the support of other veterans, founded Disabled Sports USA in 1967.
| Year | Awardee |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Mark Kulzer |
| 2017 | Steve Goodwin |
| 2016 | Earl Johnson |
| 2015 | Tony Santilli |
| 2014 | Tom Trevithick |
| 2013 | Liz Craveiro |
| 2012 | Al Kaye |
| 2011 | Mike "Milty" Miltner |
| 2010 | Michael Zuckerman |
| 2009 | Bill Bowness |
| 2008 | Dr. Bob Harney |
| 2007 | Bart Dekker |
| 2006 | Bill Demby |
| 2005 | John and Cathy Sarubbi |
| 2004 | Beth Fox |
| 2003 | Susan Michalski |
| 2002 | Bob Guerrero |
| 2000 | Katherine Hayes Rodriguez |
| 1999 | Gwen Allard |
| 1997 | Mike Hulett |
| 1996 | James Voltz |
| 1995 | James Thweat |
| 1994 | Doug Sato |
| 1992 | Hal O’Leary |
| 1991 | Jan Morrissey |
| 1990 | Rod Hernley |
| 1989 | Fred Tassone |
| 1988 | Ed Lucks and United Airlines Volunteers |
| 1987 | Mary and Earl Plummer |
| 1986 | Dr. Duane Messner |
| 1985 | David Spencer |
| 1984 | Jack Benedick |
| 1983 | Ben Allen |
| 1982 | Paul Liemkuehler |
| 1981 | Jerry Groswald |
| 1980 | Bill Stieler |
The Dr. Robert Harney Leadership Award
The Dr. Robert Harney Leadership Award is an annual award to honor a company, organization or an individual that has demonstrated and provided extraordinary leadership in the adaptive sports movement. “Dr. Bob” was an adaptive sports pioneer and tireless leader in Paralympic sports at the local, national and international levels. He was an innovator in the national and international medial classification of athletes with disabilities.
As a volunteer, Harney was on the International Paralympic Medical Classification team in the sports of alpine skiing and cycling and attended every winter and summer games since 1998. Dr. Bob was also a Professional Ski Instructor and a full-time practicing orthopedic surgeon in Boston, and a dedicated team physician at Winthrop and Melrose High School in his hometown of Winthrop, Massachusetts for more than 20 years.
| Year | Awardee |
|---|---|
| 2018 | Lakeshore Foundation |
| 2017 | U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs |
| 2016 | Robert "Bob" Meserve |
| 2015 | Professional Ski Instructors of America-American Association of Snowboard Instructors |
| 2014 | USA Hockey |
| 2013 | Adaptive Spirit[27] |
| 2012 | The Hartford |
Video
References
- "Form 990: Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax". Move United. Guidestar. September 30, 2014.
- "Our Mission". Move United. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
- A.G. Sulzberger, "Accustomed to Wheels, Thrill-Seeking Injured Veterans Take Wing", The New York Times, September 3, 2011
- Jamie Francisco, "Wheelchair hockey teams bash with the best", Chicago Tribune, April 27, 2006
- Jay Apperson, "Disabled athletes play hard", Baltimore Sun, December 14, 1999
- "Disabled Sports USA and Adaptive Sports USA merge under new name". Inside the Games. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
- Megan Crandall, "BLM Enters Into Memorandum of Understanding with Disabled Sports USA" Archived 2017-01-27 at the Wayback Machine, US Bureau of Land Management Press Release, December 24, 2011
- Luigi, Arthur Jason De (2017-09-18). Adaptive Sports Medicine: A Clinical Guide. Springer. ISBN 978-3-319-56568-2.
- "Achieve Tahoe Celebrates 50 Years". Tahoe Quarterly. 2017-12-01. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
- Betta Ferrendelli, "DSUSA Ski Spectacular Draws 700 Participants", O & P Edge, February, 2012
- Connie Lawn, "Preview of the Hartford Ski Spectacular 2011", The Huffington Post, November 28, 2011
- Clayton Culp, "Organization's mission: 'We use sports to rebuild lives' ", Knoxville News Sentinel, December 12, 2010
- Barb Berggoetz, "Ind. State Fair stage collapse victim learned to persevere", The USA Today, December 12, 2011
- Michael Myser, "Open Source for the Slopes", Wired Magazine, December 11, 2003
- Bill Redeker, "Iraq War Amputees Ski Toward Recovery", ABC News, April 4, 2004
- Anne Lang, "Saved By Friendship", People Magazine, February 9, 2004
- Alecia Acuna, "Wounded warriors hit the slopes" Archived 2011-10-20 at the Wayback Machine, FOX News, December 10, 2010
- O&P Edge Editor, "Three Amputee Veterans Summit Kilimanjaro", The O&P Edge, August 13, 2010
- The Columbian, "Hood to Coast is worth the pain - Wounded warriors find reward in the grueling relay race", The Columbian, September 4, 2012
- Challenge Magazine - Move United website
- David Krane, "Sports and Employment Among People with Disabilities", Harris Interactive, February 12, 2009
- Testimony of Julia Ray, "Meeting the Needs of Injured Veterans in the Military Paralympic Program" Archived 2012-05-01 at the Wayback Machine, House Committee on Veterans Affairs, July 29, 2009
- O&P Edge Editor, "DSUSA Participants Have Doubled Employment Rates", The O&P Edge, May 20, 2009
- The National Disabled Ski Hall of Fame website
- Disabled Sports USA website
- The Move United website
- Bob Thompson, "Cable Industry Organization Adadptive Spirit Honored By Disabled Sports USA", Adaptive Spirit Press Release, December 10, 2013