Giving Tuesday Fundraiser

NDAA is holding a Facebook Fundraiser for Giving Tuesday (November 27, 2018). Please donate generously through Facebook (or through our online donation form, if you prefer).

I can think of no better way to lead this post than with testimonials from our athletes. As an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff, these are the people whom your donations have enabled to exercise, play, and purposefully participate in their communities.

“I am truly grateful to NDAA’s support over the years. Thanks to Patrick and NDAA, I have Nordic sit ski raced, competed in the Vermont City Marathon, and felt the camaraderie of other athletes with disabilities in Vermont. Altogether, my quality of life has been given a big boost. Thanks!!”

-Alicia Berlsford Dana, U.S. Paralympic Silver Medallist, Handcycling. Putney, VT

“I would love to thank NDAA for their continued support. I am originally from VT so to have that local support is amazing. It allows me to train in beautiful places like here in Aspen and I really love what I do and I wouldn’t be able to do it without you guys so thank you very much and I really appreciate the support. Thanks!”

-Stephen Lawler, member U.S. Paralympic Alpine Ski Team, Burlington, VT

“NDAA has given me opportunities to participate in sports I might not have tried otherwise. I value the health benefits of being active as well as the comradery I experience with other disabled athletes. In addition, I see that NDAA programs make a huge difference in the lives of young and newly disabled athletes. Providing places for people to grow in a positive competitive environment is life expanding.”

-Cleary Buckley, Architect, Burlington, VT

“The NDAA helped me discover new sports and gave me something to get excited about as # I learned about my new life as an incomplete paraplegic. The NDAA also gave me valuable information into other organizations and opportunities I did not know about. Sled hockey, handcycling, sit skiing…I wouldn’t be doing any of these awesome things without the support and encouragement from the NDAA!”

–Micha Loeffler, South Burlington, VT

“The NDAA helped shape me into the person I am today. As a new wheelchair user, I was given the confidence to know that if I wanted to do it, it could somehow be done. Now, because of that mind-set, I am campaigning for a spot on the US Paralympic Team. The drive and vision of the NDAA is invaluable to those of us with mobility limitations and to those awesome volunteers who a part of making those dreams a reality.”

–Charlotte Merle-Smith, U.S. Paralympic equestrian hopeful, Charlotte, VT

Highlights from our year include our adaptive kayaking program, and our first annual adaptive sports Open House:

As we head into the holiday season, the NDAA would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to all of our players, coaches, volunteers, and every member of our community who has supported our mission to bring adaptive sports to Vermont.