Ed. Note: The following is a news release provided by the Triumph Foundation. 

Santa Clarita Triumph Foundation officials are planning to host their 4th Annual Wheelchair Sports Festival with six adaptive recreational sports open for everyone to participate.

The Wheelchair Sports Festival will be Saturday April 25, 2015 9am-5pm, and Sunday April 26, 2015 9am-3pm, at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex 20870 Centre Pointe Pkwy, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 and will feature wheelchair hockey, basketball, quad rugby, racquetball, handcycling, art workshops, and a resource fair. 

Triumph Foundation, a nonprofit organization, hosts this free event to introduce wheelchair sports to people that are newly disabled; provide learning opportunities to the general public; and showcase people living with physical impairment in a way that members of the community do not often see.

The Wheelchair Sports Festival brings everyone together, able body and disabled alike, on a level playing ground to take part in games and activities. Over 500 participants are expected plus many more spectators and volunteers.

Triumph Foundation’s founder, Andrew Skinner, said,  “Triumph holds several adaptive recreational events  throughout the year to give people with SCI an opportunity to push the limits of their ability, and enhance their quality of life through the benefits of exercise, sports, and fitness.  I am happy to be a part of this great organization.”

Skinner suffered a spinal cord injury in November 2004 in a snowboarding accident.

Skinner has made a remarkable recovery and wants others with similar injuries to triumph like him.  “I have come so far from where I was initially.  Now, I am living the American dream, despite my physical impairment.  I want to help others do the same.”