Redefining Disability Move United

In 2005 Harsh Thakkar had just started classes at the University of Maryland, Baltimore when he was robbed and shot, leaving him paralyzed at T12-L1. A strong athlete in high school he rediscovered his athletic identity through adaptive sports. He would finish his degree at Edinboro University, where he got a scholarship to play wheelchair basketball. He currently plays for the NRH Punishers and also leads programs through his role at the National Rehabilitation Hospital.

As an Adaptive PE teacher in the 1980’s, Gregg Baumgarten saw there were no competitive opportunities for many of his students who had physical disabilities. So he founded what is now Arizona Disabled Sports with his good friend Mark Grant. As pioneers in adaptive sports, the two would also create Desert Challenge Games and the first ever National Power Soccer Tournament in the USA. Gregg would direct a number of regional and national competitions and assisted with the formation of many other organizations and competitions. He would serve on the board of directors of Disabled Sports USA and as board chair of Adaptive Sports USA, the two predecessor organizations of Move United.

Dan Castillo served for six years in the Armed Forces and was medically retired as a quadriplegic with a C4 spinal cord injury. He plays power soccer and was named to the U.S Boccia National Team back in October. Students from Virginia Western Community College students are creating a handstick for him to play the sport through a partnership with Quality of Life Plus.

Brian Bell lost his leg at the age of 10 due to a train accident. After rehabilitation, he wanted to get back to playing basketball and football, his two favorite sports. He played middle school football on his prosthetic and discovered wheelchair basketball through the Lakeshore Foundation, a Move United member organization in Birmingham, Alabama. Now the 2x Paralympic Gold Medalist is hoping to win his third one this summer in Paris.

Rev. Julius Lee is the Founder and President of SMCL Foundation & Associates. After serving in the US Army from 1974 to 1980 and in the Air Force from 1980 to 1997, Julius suffered a spinal cord injury. For over 21 years, as a disabled veteran, he has been advocating for those with disabilities and hardships. His passion for aiding others has led him to serve and educate the community on adaptive sports for veterans and others with disabilities.

The U.S. Open Adaptive Surfing Championships World-Wide Tour, with a prize package of $200,000, kicked off last month and have events coming up in Hawaii and California in the coming months. Behind this effort is Stoke for Life founder Charles Webb, a paraplegic and world class adaptive surfer.