When J.J. O’Conner was 16 years old, he was fighting for the puck during a hockey game, got tangled up with another player, and went head-first into the boards, forever changing his life.
J.J. spoke with DHS students about what the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association has meant to him at a recent assembly. DHS chose GLASA as the recipient of fund collected in this year’s School Chest Drive. The group’s motto: “Let No One Sit on the Sidelines.”
GLASA promotes the physical and mental well-being of youth, teens, adults and injured military with a physical or visual disability by providing adaptive recreational, fitness and competitive sports programs that empower, inspire, enhance life skills and fulfill dreams, according to the group’s website.
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J.J shared with the crowd what playing power soccer has meant to him. In a word, “everything.” He uses a special chair that he can control using just one hand. “Power soccer is so important to who I am and what I am,” he said. It’s something he can do, and do well.
J.J. also coaches sled hockey teams, and led his Paralympic team to gold at the Vancouver games in 2010.
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GLASA makes sure their athletes have the scholarships, equipment, and facilities they need to participate. Often, extremely high medical expenses make outside opportunities difficult to afford.
Please check out the GLASA website to see all that they do.
And join DHS for upcoming events in support of GLASA. Due to the holiday calendar schedule this year, the drive only has three weeks to accomplish what it usually does in four.
Upcoming events include Potbelly portion donation night this Friday, December 6; Run for Change on Saturday, December 8; School Chest Benefit on Saturday, December 8; Deerfield Idol on Wednesday, December 11; Wapaghetti’s portion donation day on Friday, December 13; Claim Company portion donation nights from December 11-13 (donates 15% if customer brings flier from school chest website); Hoops for Hope on Saturday, December 14; and Deep Breaths for School Chest—yoga class on Saturday, December 14. The events are open to the public. The following week offers Mah Jong Night on Wednesday, December 18, and Mr. DHS on Thursday, December 19.
It’s a beautiful way to have some fun.
Please visit DHS.dist113.org and click on the School Chest link for full details.
