OPAF NEWS FLASH - OPAF EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL AMPUTEE GOLF ASSOCIATION
Tamara Bibby
Description
Collection
Title:
OPAF NEWS FLASH - OPAF EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL AMPUTEE GOLF ASSOCIATION
Creator:
Tamara Bibby
Date:
8/19/2002
Text:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2002
Contact: Tamara Bibby
(571) 431-0831
ORTHOTIC AND PROSTHETIC ASSISTANCE FUND EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL
AMPUTEE GOLF ASSOCIATION
Alexandria, Virginia -The Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund (OPAF)
announces the expansion of its partnership with the National Amputee Golf
Association (NAGA) to host OPAF-NAGA First Swing clinics in 2003.
Through the agreement signed by OPAF and NAGA, OPAF will administer
OPAF-NAGA First Swing clinics in San Diego, California, during the annual
meeting of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP) (March
19-22, 2003) and in Reno, Nevada, during the national assembly of the
American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) (October 22-25, 2003).
OPAF and NAGA also agreed to bring clinics to annual meetings of state and
regional AAOP chapters and AOPA associations and societies. Leaders of these
organizations who wish to offer First Swing at their meetings should contact
Tamara Bibby, OPAF Program Coordinator, for scheduling and additional
information - telephone (571) 431-0831, email <Email Address Redacted>
The National Amputee Golf Association looks forward to its partnership with
OPAF in helping to expand the awareness of our Association and its programs
to amputees. We are also delighted to bring our First Swing program to the
members of the O&P family and all physically challenged individuals they
serve. Through advancements in technology in Prosthetics and Orthotics and
the guidelines set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act, golf is a
game that can be enjoyed by everyone. Learning to walk requires the taking
of a first step, remarks Bob Wilson. Why not try golf? It is truly a game
for everyone. Come out and take your First Swing. We are sure it will not
be your last.
We are excited about our relationship with NAGA and very much appreciate
their willingness to work with us to bring such a fantastic program to many
more individuals served by the O&P community, states Jeff Reznick, OPAF
Director. We hope that the success of this partnership will encourage
further collaborations between OPAF and other nonprofits like NAGA that
share our commitment to supporting an enhanced quality of life for
individuals with disabilities, especially those served by members of the
orthotics and prosthetics community.
OPAF-NAGA First Swing clinics are the cornerstone of OPAF's Fit for Life(tm)
program, an initiative that benefits individuals who may not want to
participate in demanding aerobic exercise.
First Swing clinics are open to all therapists and O&P professionals and
every individual with a physical challenge regardless of age or handicap.
Robert Wilson, Executive Director of NAGA (National Amputee Golf
Association) developed First Swing to instruct therapists in teaching and
encouraging physically challenged individuals to learn, or re-learn, the
game of golf. First Swing clinics enable individuals to enjoy the unique,
friendly atmosphere found on the golf course and gain a greater sense of
personal achievement.
Since late 2001, OPAF and NAGA have worked together to provide an
abbreviated version of the second day instruction. These mini-clinics offer
guidance in swinging a golf club and learning how to get the golf ball
airborne.
In the full two-day First Swing program, day one offers the basics of the
game to therapists and to others interested in teaching individuals who face
physical challenges. Practitioner participants are invited to swing a club -
standing on one leg, sitting in a wheel chair, or using only one hand - to
appreciate more completely the new demands that will be made upon their
educational training as they teach others. The second day of the clinic is
devoted to therapists instructing physically challenged participants under
the expertise of NAGA members.
To learn more about OPAF's expanded partnership with NAGA, please contact
Tamara Bibby, or visit: <URL Redacted>.
The Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund is nonprofit organization, a
501(c)(3) public charity, established in 1995 by the Orthotic and Prosthetic
National Office. Dedicated initially to providing financial and in-kind
support to the 1996 Paralympics, the Fund now generates its own initiatives
through partnerships with individuals, organizations and institutions
engaged in raising public awareness of disability and improving the quality
of rehabilitation medicine, science and technology.
For more information about the Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund,
Inc., please visit www.opfund.org or contact Tamara Bibby, OPAF Program
Coordinator, at 571.431.0831 or <Email Address Redacted>
###
August 19, 2002
Contact: Tamara Bibby
(571) 431-0831
ORTHOTIC AND PROSTHETIC ASSISTANCE FUND EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL
AMPUTEE GOLF ASSOCIATION
Alexandria, Virginia -The Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund (OPAF)
announces the expansion of its partnership with the National Amputee Golf
Association (NAGA) to host OPAF-NAGA First Swing clinics in 2003.
Through the agreement signed by OPAF and NAGA, OPAF will administer
OPAF-NAGA First Swing clinics in San Diego, California, during the annual
meeting of the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists (AAOP) (March
19-22, 2003) and in Reno, Nevada, during the national assembly of the
American Orthotic and Prosthetic Association (AOPA) (October 22-25, 2003).
OPAF and NAGA also agreed to bring clinics to annual meetings of state and
regional AAOP chapters and AOPA associations and societies. Leaders of these
organizations who wish to offer First Swing at their meetings should contact
Tamara Bibby, OPAF Program Coordinator, for scheduling and additional
information - telephone (571) 431-0831, email <Email Address Redacted>
The National Amputee Golf Association looks forward to its partnership with
OPAF in helping to expand the awareness of our Association and its programs
to amputees. We are also delighted to bring our First Swing program to the
members of the O&P family and all physically challenged individuals they
serve. Through advancements in technology in Prosthetics and Orthotics and
the guidelines set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act, golf is a
game that can be enjoyed by everyone. Learning to walk requires the taking
of a first step, remarks Bob Wilson. Why not try golf? It is truly a game
for everyone. Come out and take your First Swing. We are sure it will not
be your last.
We are excited about our relationship with NAGA and very much appreciate
their willingness to work with us to bring such a fantastic program to many
more individuals served by the O&P community, states Jeff Reznick, OPAF
Director. We hope that the success of this partnership will encourage
further collaborations between OPAF and other nonprofits like NAGA that
share our commitment to supporting an enhanced quality of life for
individuals with disabilities, especially those served by members of the
orthotics and prosthetics community.
OPAF-NAGA First Swing clinics are the cornerstone of OPAF's Fit for Life(tm)
program, an initiative that benefits individuals who may not want to
participate in demanding aerobic exercise.
First Swing clinics are open to all therapists and O&P professionals and
every individual with a physical challenge regardless of age or handicap.
Robert Wilson, Executive Director of NAGA (National Amputee Golf
Association) developed First Swing to instruct therapists in teaching and
encouraging physically challenged individuals to learn, or re-learn, the
game of golf. First Swing clinics enable individuals to enjoy the unique,
friendly atmosphere found on the golf course and gain a greater sense of
personal achievement.
Since late 2001, OPAF and NAGA have worked together to provide an
abbreviated version of the second day instruction. These mini-clinics offer
guidance in swinging a golf club and learning how to get the golf ball
airborne.
In the full two-day First Swing program, day one offers the basics of the
game to therapists and to others interested in teaching individuals who face
physical challenges. Practitioner participants are invited to swing a club -
standing on one leg, sitting in a wheel chair, or using only one hand - to
appreciate more completely the new demands that will be made upon their
educational training as they teach others. The second day of the clinic is
devoted to therapists instructing physically challenged participants under
the expertise of NAGA members.
To learn more about OPAF's expanded partnership with NAGA, please contact
Tamara Bibby, or visit: <URL Redacted>.
The Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund is nonprofit organization, a
501(c)(3) public charity, established in 1995 by the Orthotic and Prosthetic
National Office. Dedicated initially to providing financial and in-kind
support to the 1996 Paralympics, the Fund now generates its own initiatives
through partnerships with individuals, organizations and institutions
engaged in raising public awareness of disability and improving the quality
of rehabilitation medicine, science and technology.
For more information about the Orthotic and Prosthetic Assistance Fund,
Inc., please visit www.opfund.org or contact Tamara Bibby, OPAF Program
Coordinator, at 571.431.0831 or <Email Address Redacted>
###
Citation
Tamara Bibby, “OPAF NEWS FLASH - OPAF EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL AMPUTEE GOLF ASSOCIATION,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 6, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/219485.
