RIC Named the U.S. Midwest Paralympic Training Center
Former Paralympian, Chicago Lawyer Hired To Lead Program
February 24, 2006
CHICAGO - The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) today announces a grant from U.S. Paralympics to be designated as the U.S. Paralympic Midwest Training Center - an effort to drive participation in sports for kids with disabilities and fuel the future of the U.S. Paralympic team.
The $36,000 grant will be used to recruit and encourage kids in the Midwest with disabilities to get involved and participate in sports, providing the training and direction to one day reach the U.S. Paralympic Games.
On March 7, RIC, in conjunction with the Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Park District and the U.S. Paralympics, will hold a Paralympic Winter Sports Day at McFetridge Ice Arena, 3843 N. California Ave., from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. to launch this intiative. This is open to kids with disabilities 8 - 18 years old to introduce them to winter sports available for them to participate in.
Hired to enact the Midwest Training Center, is Linda Mastandrea, former U.S. Paralympian, RIC athlete and local Chicago lawyer and disability advocate. Mastandrea, who was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at the age of 3, has achieved remarkable athletic and career accomplishments. In 1996, she was a Gold and Silver Medalist in wheelchair track at the U.S. Paralympics where she also set a world record in the 200-meter, 400-meter, 800-meter, and 1500-meter races. She has won 15 gold and 5 silver medals in international competitions and was the first disabled athlete to serve on the United States Olympic Committee Board of Directors.
She stopped competing in 1999 to focus on her career in law. It was her goal to assist people with disabilities who have experienced discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, and access to government services.
She has taught Disability Law at Chicago-Kent College of Law and lectured all around the nation on disability law and advocacy, and is currently editing a book entitled 'An Encyclopedia of Disability Sport.'
She's served as Vice President to the National Disability Sports Alliance, Secretary to the Associate Board of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, and serves on the Public Policy and Vocational Action Committees for the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago's Board of Directors Additionaly, she's on the Legal Advisory Committee for Access Living. Named one of Crain's Chicago Business Top Forty Under 40 in 2000, she continues to practice disability law in Chicago.
"I know first hand the benefits that sports broguht to me in my life," said Linda Mastandrea, director, U.S. Paralympics Midwest Training Center at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. "It's not something I tapped into untill college and it really steered my career choices and lifestyle. I am very excited to be sharing these same opportunities with kids and teens. There are so many kids and adults who don't know what opportunities exist for them. It remains critically important we get the word out and get people involved," she continued.
Through local networking and education, Mastandrea hopes to get more kids involved in sports and recreation. "My focus isn't to recreate the wheel so much as it is to tap into what's out there," said Mastandrea, "I'll focus on outreach to schools, park districts, special recreation associations and other programs to make these programs stronger and offer a higher level of training." Aside from looking at existing programs, Mastandrea will create programs around specific interests of kids and emable them to use RIC to develop those interests and skills. "I think this initiative will put RIC on the map for recruiting area for kids interested in sports," she continued, "From an educational aspect, this will give RIC a chance to educate the public on the importance of sports for people with disabilities - which dovetails with RIC's mission and efforts in public education and advocacy."
In addition, RIC will be forming relationships with VA hospitals to provide resources for wounded veterens returning to the Midwest as part of the U.S. Paralympics Military Program, established to enable severely injured service members and veterans to enhance their rehabilitation, readiness and lifestyle through participation in Paralympic sport. To get more information on this program, the Paralympic Winter Sports Day, or recommend a young athlete for the U.S. Paralympic Midwest Training Center program, please contact Linda Mastandrea at 312-238-5001 or visit The Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Sports Program.
About the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
The Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (RIC) is dedicated to helping people with all levels and types of physical disabilities regain or improve their physical functions and empowering them to participate more fully in family, social, vocational and leisure time pursuits. The Institute has been ranked the 'Best Rehabilitation Hospital in America' by U.S. News & World Report, every year since 1991 and is the first independent rehabilitation hospital in the country to receive the Magnet award for excellence in nursing services by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. RIC operates a flagship hospital in Chicago as well as a network of DayRehabCenters and outpatient centers located throughout Chicago and surrounding suburbs. Additionally, RIC maintains strategic alliances with other high quality health care providers throughout the state of Illinois, including Advocate Illinois Masonic, Alexian Brothers Hospital Network, Blessing Hospital, RML Specialty Hospital and Southern Illinois Healthcare. For more information, please visit our Web site at www.ric.org.
About U.S. Paralympics
U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee is dedicated to becoming the world leader in the Paralympic sports movement and providing excellence in the lives of persons with physical disabilities. Visit the U.S. Paralympics Web site at www.usparalympics.org.
Journalists contact: mediarelations@ric.org, 312-238-6044.
All others contact: webmaster@ric.org.
