Meet Angela
“The impact of adaptive sports is so much broader than just getting exercise.”
The human desire to get outside, interact with other people, and do the activities we love is a struggle for everyone during the COVID-19 pandemic—and even more so for people like Sister Angela Graham, who are living with injury, illness, or disability.
A longtime resident of Orleans, MA, Angela suffered a stroke in 2014 and turned to Spaulding Cape Cod for her recovery journey. The 65-year-old became an active participant in the Spaulding adaptive sports program, which helps people of all abilities take part in sports and recreation activities as a means to heal.
“Stroke survivors are often isolated in our experience,” says Angela. “But this has been a way for me to interact with people going through similar challenges.”
Angela is an avid biker and kayaker, activities that can be done while social distancing—unless, like her, you need human contact and support to get set up in adaptive equipment.
In response, the Spaulding adaptive sports team pivoted to launch a virtual program with group sessions held using Zoom technology. It’s just one example of Spaulding’s ongoing commitment to improving quality of life, even during these challenging times.
“I can’t even begin to describe what it’s like to have a community of people who understand your needs and how hard some days can be,” says Angela. “They help you push through and achieve things you might not otherwise do.”
For Spaulding Cape Cod patients and staff dealing with the pandemic, our donors have become that community of support. Their generous gifts help get our patients back to the activities and lives they love.
Angela is eager to get back to in-person adaptive sports activities when it’s safe to do so. Like all of us, she worries about future unknowns. But she knows she can trust her Spaulding clinicians and adaptive sports leaders to help her navigate the health and wellness challenges ahead.