My Nonprofit Reviews

My name is Tyler Woodworth. I was born in 1995 with Cerebral Palsy; though it isn’t a deadly disease, it has put up barriers that other children didn’t have to face on a daily basis. My parents always encouraged me and allowed me to participate in special rec programs to build up my mussels, and give me a sense of being on a team. However not all disabilities are alike; Cerebral Palsy simply affects my motor skills. My mind is unaltered by my disability, so as I became more competitive and adventures I had to shift from the Special Olympic programs to Paralympic programs. My parents found sled hockey and asked if I wanted to try it in the fall of 2005. Being the kid that loved adventure and a Chicago Blackhawks fan, I of course said yes. For the past 15 years , I have played on the Chicago Hornets. This however was not the only adaptive sport I would fall in love with. I first participated in the Dreams for Kids adaptive water skiing event in 2009. The adaptive water skiing event at Twin Lakes is unlike the other adaptive sports programs. Rather than have it feel as a segregated event, the adaptive ski equipment is out on the lake with everyday boaters and able body water skiers. This was followed by the Alpine Valley adaptive ski event in January. The adaptive snow skiing event gave me an opportunity to again, be an active participant and ski alongside my family. With my new found freedom and independence from my physical disability, I wanted to give back to others. Dreams for Kids provided me with the opportunity to do so. I became a volunteer at their annual Holiday for Hope event several years in a row. I participated in their youth leadership program and was selected to be a mentor for others. I have been working on creating an inclusive football camp Extreme Recess event to continue to give back to others. This event is designed to promote inclusion between kids with and without disabilities; which goes beyond the one day opportunity for kids with physical disabilities. As of right now, I hope that this will be able to grow beyond the Chicago area and reach across the country. Without my participation in the adaptive sports programs, I would not have the valuable character traits that have made me a successful college student and a successful athlete. The adaptive sports programs that Dreams for Kids provides, fight the isolation children with disabilities and their families often face. By providing access to adaptive sports equipment, we have the ability to provide these families with opportunities that had previously been out of reach. In addition to building my character, Dreams For kids also provided me opportunities to give back to others. I had the opportunity to experience their leadership program as a mentee and a mentor. This program has since shifted focus from community activism, towards teaching kids how to start their own nonprofit and give back to their communities in meaningful ways.

This organization has taught me so many things that I would have not learned in any classroom. The main message was that I can succeed and help others dispite my physical disability. I now take on new challenges everyday in college. I have taken a leadership role as the treasurer of the College Club Council at Joliet Junior College, and I am starting a wheelchair rugby team at JJC to help get other students with disabilities actively engaged at school. I aspire to help others, and live as independently as possible.