The Brooks Adaptive Sports and Recreation

Brooks Adaptive Sports and Recreation A program of Brooks Rehabilitation Hospital, a non profit hospital serving disabled folks. They have a fine MS program in a 143 bed hospital with a 24 hour nursing team, intensive rehabilitative therapies and regular rounds by physiatrists, or their designated assistants.

A very important part of the Jacksonville Florida Community, serving Central Florida, South Georgia and North Florida with 25 outpatient centers and the acute rehabilitation hospital. The Brooks program for sports and recreation include wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, tennis, handcycling or adaptive rowing in which athletes with disabilities can participate and become stronger and more confident gaining body awareness, building strength and a sense of independence. At brooks they hope and strive to improve the physical and social-emotional well-being of the individual.

Team Brooks is Brooks' wheelchair basketball team. The team practices weekly and have a regular schedule of games against other teams from across the nation. Also the team conducts scrimmage during half time of a Jacksonville Jams a semi pro regular basket ball game, increasing awareness of the sport and that of Team Brooks.

Click here for photos of the wheelchair baseball and softball from April of 2009 or for a schedule of upcoming events follow this link

For anyone interested in joining a team contact;

Alice Krauss
Manager
Brooks Adaptive Sport & Recreation Program

mailto: Alice.Krauss@brookshealth.org

Special Events and Clinics

Brooks holds and participates in special events and clinics such as Master Pak self-defense and Martial Arts clinic, Rolls on Surf Clinic" event and the "U Can Ski 2 School" waterskiing clinic. Giving those with disabilities willing to try a chance to participate. Be advised, those playing sports like basketball or rugby need to have a lighter chair with tilt prevention. Help can be obtained for purchasing special equipment. For more information and the schedule of events and clinics please go here.

Wheelchair Tennis

Click here for viewing photos of the 2009 tennis camp. "In addition to weekly practices, participants have played in many local tennis events, including the Malivi Washington Tennis Tournament" "Although the only rule change in the wheelchair game is the allowance of two bounces, skilled handling of the wheelchair is critical to success in the game." Again if interested in information or to come out and practice contact Alice Krauss, Manager, Brooks Adaptive Sport & Recreation Program. Alice.Krauss@brookshealth.org.

You may also be interested in the Brooks Adaptive Horseback riding. For photos click here.

The Brooks Center for Rehabilitation Studies in Collaboration with the University of Florida, Brooks is involved with the innovative treatments that will help patients maximize function and achieve their highest level of independence. Their rehabilitation program is comprehensive and strives to replace these overwhelming feelings with ones of hope and optimism by giving their patients the tools needed to achieve the greatest possible independence in the home, community and workplace.

See my article on the Brooks Bandits' Rugby Team

or my slideshow

http://www.brookshealth.org/

http://www.brookshealth.org/why-brooks/communityservice/volunteerservices/

http://www.brookshealth.org/why-brooks/communityservice/AdaptiveSports/