Mission: Marty Turcios teaches disabled students how to play golf and how to "go golfing"; i.e: obtain equipment, find disabled-accessible golf courses, get a starting time, find transportation - things the non-disabled take for granted. This recreational therapy has both physical and psychological benefits because it encourages responsible, independent use of leisure time. This helps prevent lethargy and substance abuse, common side effects among the disabled. Marty uses golf, specifically, to teach honesty, endurance, frustration management and other life skills that are beneficial to the disabled and non-disabled alike.
Results: We helped a veteran return to the program after he became homeless. He kept coming to the golf program after he quit going to all the other programs at the VA. After a while we convinced him to rejoin the VA programs and now he has an apartment. Another student, a Navy vet, who had suffered two brain aneurisms, healed up and is now back in school and playing golf on a women's team. Not a disabled women's team, she's on an able-bodied women's team.
Target demographics: Disabled people in Contra Costa County, California.
Direct beneficiaries per year: 25
Geographic areas served: Contra Costa County, California
Programs: In a class of only veterans that are in-patients of the Martinez Veterans Hospital that have traumatic brain injuries, Marty teaches frustration management as well as a game that can last a lifetime.
Robstennis
Professional with expertise in this field
12/19/2012
Rating: 5
12/19/2012
Marty is an incredible teacher and role model. He has worked a lifetime advancing quality of life for people with disabilities. I have worked with Marty personally as a clinician and Marty's knowledge base along with his sense of comapssion is unmatched.
There are so many reasons I support this organization. Marty Turcios is dedicated to helping others gain confidence in overcoming their hardships - just as he has overcome his cerebral palsy. His work with disabled or brain damged or emotionally hurting Vets & other people teaches me that you can work past your situation or limitations. By allowing his students the "I can DO It' confidence of swinging at a golf ball, or getting some 'sport' back in their lives, he rebuilds lost souls, priceless!
He and his administrator/associate Melody Lacy both have faced physical issues, just as their particpants have faced, and are both kind and compasionate people trying to better other lives. Your helping the Theraputic Golf Clinic is a small way to improve a few people's lives - through the physical activity of golf, comraderie on the course and self confidence.
