The National Sports Center for the Disabled (NSCD) is proud to have had the support of the Grand Foundation since 2002. The NSCD has called Winter Park home since our organization was founded by Hal O’Leary in 1970, and the NSCD’s impact in the community has been deeply strengthened by the support of the Grand Foundation. The Grand Foundation has provided funding that has helped the NSCD to expand our Grand County programs to best meet the needs of the community. The Grand Foundation has also helped to subsidize the cost of our programs for Grand County residents and has provided generous scholarship funds for Grand County residents who need additional financial assistance to participate. This subsidy and scholarship support has made the NSCD’s programs accessible for many more community members with disabilities. The Grand Foundation’s support has also helped the NSCD to develop our Grand County programs to make Winter Park Resort a destination for families from across the country that include individuals with disabilities.
Grand Foundation has Significantly Increased Our Services
This past year alone, the Grand Foundation’s support has helped the NSCD to significantly increase our services for Grand County residents. The NSCD has added transportation services for Grand County residents so that we can drive participants between their homes and NSCD program locations. We have also expanded our therapeutic horse riding program from summertime-only to year-round so that our riders can improve their skills and experience the therapeutic benefits of horse riding during all seasons. The NSCD also started an after-school “Pony Club” for Grand County youth from East Grand School District, engaging participants on a weekly basis since last October. Additionally, we provided a series of free activities for teenage EGSD students with disabilities, starting last fall, which included tubing, biking, bowling, swimming, and snowboarding. All of this new community-oriented programming would not have been possible without the generosity and support of the Grand Foundation.
Family testimonials illustrate the direct impact that Grand Foundation support has had on NSCD participants:
“As a recipient of scholarship funding for my son, I'd like to express how very much it means to us. We are so incredibly grateful to be able to have the opportunity to have James take therapeutic horseback riding lessons. He loves it so much, and I live for the moments that I can see him feeling more confident and feeling special to have such a wonderful activity to attend. He now has something to look forward to outside of his school activities that makes him feel important and like he has a responsibility. He absolutely loves Yogi; he calls him "his horse." He realizing if he sticks with something consistently that he can improve. He is benefiting greatly from utilizing his core to balance and experiencing different sensory stimulation that comes from seeing, hearing, smelling and touching the horses. Without the funding that we received, we certainly would NOT be able to afford taking James to his lessons. Funding for Asperger’s for anyone after their 5th birthday is very, very limited in Grand County. Thank you again for this amazing opportunity that you have provided to my son!” –Jena A.
“To see my child happy and enjoying an activity like skiing was the best feeling. Before, I was not sure that my child could enjoy these activities due to his autism and speech delay, and now I see so many possibilities for him to enjoy things that he likes. Thank you to NSCD and to your wonderful staff for changing the lives of so many individuals like my son—it means more than words can ever explain.” - Anonymous
“This is Max's first year learning how to ride horses. From the beginning of his first lesson he could not stop smiling. He talks about the horses all week. In addition, he talks about the trainers and the volunteers (who are incredible). He has learned the words trot, walk on and whoa!! He loves to trot. As a mother, I had no idea the program would work on so many different levels of Max's needs. Like core work, letter recognition, manners, compassion, boundaries and focus. That's just to name a few. I can't wait until Fridays come and I can finally tell Max that yes, this is the day he gets to ride. To say the least, I am grateful for this opportunity to be able to offer this to my son through the NSCD scholarship funding.” – Sally H.
“Being able to ski again for me was a very moving experience. I have always loved doing active things outdoors, and believing I was unable to ski because of MS was one of the things I missed the most. Being able to ski again in such a beautiful place literally brought tears to my eyes.” – Betsy M.