WALLINGFORD, Conn. — The unmistakable sound of Pickleball ricocheting off racket returned to the grounds of Gaylord Hospital on a summer Wednesday.
Between players and volunteers, there were 20 people on hand for the latest Adaptive Pickleball Clinic. The fast-growing sport of Pickleball has clearly extended its reach to include those battling back from a disability.
Katie Joly, the program manager from Gaylord Hospital’s Sports Association, organizes the Pickleball Clinics, and a growing cadre of followers are flocking to the courts.
Joly said, “We may have someone who has had a spinal cord injury and playing from a wheelchair or had a traumatic brain injury or someone with an amputation or a stroke. The great thing about Pickleball is it can be played by anyone of any ability.”
Back to the courts once again to take her shots was Kelly McDermott from Hamden. McDermott fought off a tough battle with cancer two decades ago and now plays Pickleball in a wheelchair. Her latest challenge is that she needs a kidney donor, yet she still comes out to the Pickleball courts to play.
McDermott said, “I’m still playing, I have a shunt in my arm and I'm currently on dialysis. I go to dialysis Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturdays, and I’m not letting that stop me. I’m in need of a living kidney donor.”
Joly, the Sports Association program manager added, “We are all about ability here, and our motto is 'Think Possible.'”
Off the court and working with Gaylord Hospital and Yale-New Haven Hospital, McDermott’s search for a living donor continues. She said that anyone who is looking to help should contact Yale-New Haven Hospital.
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Jim Altman is a reporter at FOX61 News. He can be reached at jaltman@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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