‘Miracle Tennis’ for People with Disabilities an Annual Event in Tallahassee’s Big Bend

With help from the USTA Florida Foundation, Thursday evenings in July are special in Tallahassee, Fla., where athletes of all abilities get a chance to learn the sport of tennis at the Florida Disabled Outdoors Association’s (FDOA) ‘Miracle Sports‘ events.

“Many participants had never played before, and there were a few that had a chance to hone their beginner tennis skills,” said USTA Florida Tennis Program Coordinator George English. “Each week children and adults with disabilities have had the opportunity to learn from each other and from instructors.”

FDOA’s mission is to enrich lives through accessible inclusive recreation, and the partnership with the USTA Florida Foundation has been a natural fit.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for people of all abilities to learn a sport that they can play in any city,” said Laurie LoRe-Gussak, FDOA executive director. “We were very lucky to have received a grant from USTA Florida to provide tennis equipment and have USTA Florida instructor George English. Many of our participants contact us because they don’t have equipment and are thrilled that we can provide the tools they need to learn. Several have gone out already to get their own equipment. When they are having fun as they have been this July, the positive wellness benefits just happen naturally.”

The ‘Miracle Sports’ events are part of the FDOA’s SportsAbility event umbrella, which enhances the lives of people with disabilities by promoting active living, and provides an opportunity to network with people with disabilities, resource providers, and community organizations. There is no charge to participants thanks to sponsor donations.

It is the third consecutive year the Miracle Sports tennis events have been held in Tallahassee in July.

The FDOA’s Recreation Resource Referral Network is an online database that is searchable by county of recreation programs, destinations, events and products found at www.fdoa.org/resources. To learn more about FDOA sports events in Tallahassee go to www.fdoa.org/sportsability-tallahassee.

For more information on the USTA Florida Foundation go to www.ustafloridafoundation.com.