The Triumph Foundation’s 11th Annual Wheelchair Festival was a two-day extravaganza featuring everything from football to scuba diving.

While it is a wheelchair festival, those who are able-bodied could join the fun using complementary wheelchairs for the activities at the Santa Clarita Sports Complex.

“It’s all-inclusive fun. It doesn’t matter if you have a disability or not; you get to play and get into the game,” said Andrew Skinner, founder of Triumph Foundation. 

Throughout the two days, participants had the opportunity to play basketball, tennis, rugby, fencing, archery, scuba diving, music, football and even hit the skate park.

Steven Barrera | KHTS

Coaching the football activities was the head coach of the L.A. Chargers Wheelchair Football team.

He explained the rules of football and then practiced both offense and defense with the participants before getting into a game.

Steven Barrera | KHTS

Along with playing football for fun at the Wheelchair Festival, there was a booth where people could sign up for the L.A. Chargers Wheelchair Football team.

While many people laughed and enjoyed the sports, it was more than just games for Skinner.

“You get to see people come to life,” said Skinner. “A lot of people struggle to find purpose and the Triumph Foundation really makes an extra effort to embrace folks no matter what challenges they may have faced. It shows them that there is a life worth living and that they can have joy and purpose.”

The Triumph Foundation’s goal is to empower individuals with spinal cord injuries or disorders (SCIs), whether children, adults, or veterans, to overcome adversity and motivate themselves to improve daily.

Paralyzed people have access to the resources, hope and security offered by the Triumph Foundation, both at the time of injury and throughout their lives. For Southern Californians with mobility impairments, the Triumph Foundation is the go-to organization.

To learn more about the Triumph Foundation and future events, click here. For anyone who would like to volunteer to help the foundation, click here.

Steven Barrera | KHTS

Steven Barrera | KHTS

Steven Barrera | KHTS

Steven Barrera | KHTS

Steven Barrera | KHTS

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