IIOS Forms Haitian Amputee Soccer Team - August 30, 2010
In a press release dated August 30, 2010, the International Institute if SPORT announced the formation of the Haiti Amputee National Soccer Team and plans to compete in the 2010 Amputee Football World Cup.
Please click here for the press release in its entirety. The press release is in PDF format and will open in a separate window.
Artist Ken N'Gan'ga Receives Wheelchair - August 23, 2010
Texan Sandii Fleming donated to IIOS several items designated for use by people with disabilities, and among them was a wheelchair that was delivered in August to quadriplegic artist Ken N'gan'ga in Kenya.
On August 23, 2010, Dr. Fred Sorrells received the photo on right with the following note:
"Jambo sir. Since 1997, i had not been to the sunlight but on this day i took that photo, i spend the whole day outside for the first time. I tell you the experience was amazing. I felt some physycal and psychological freedom. To transfer to the wheelchair, i only need 1 person to lift my legs. The exersise equipment is perfect. The laptop battery is exellent, soon i will be getting an internet modem which is compatible with it. thanks alot. I will write you in lenghth soon."
- Ken N'gan'ga
You can read the entire story on our Art & Music page and learn more about Ken N'gan'ga on our Disabled Artists page. Some of Ken's work is available for sale from IIOS and from the Global Art Initiative online gallery hosted by Fine Art America.
"You Guys Are Good to Go" - July 29, 2010
The newly formed Haiti amputee soccer team is going to the World Cup of Amputee Soccer!
On July 29, the new Haiti amputee football program received a great boost when Rick Hofmann, General Secretary for the World Amputee Football Federation wrote, “The Executive Committee is willing to allow Haiti to play. So you guys are good to go.” Therefore, Haiti has been officially accepted to participate in the upcoming World Cup of Amputee Football.
The World Amputee Football Federation will oversee the World Cup in Crespo, Argentina, in October. Beginning with an Opening Ceremony on October 16, the contest will run through October 27 and will determine the winning nation for the World Cup of Amputee Soccer. For an overview of the game of Amputee Soccer, visit http://www.worldamputeefootball.com/rules_i.htm.
Dr. Fred Sorrells helped to form the Haiti Amputee Football Association, and under association guidance, amputees were invited to participate in a try-out session for the national team.
On the right, Dr. Sorrells reports on the formation of the Haiti amputee football team. Click on the image to view the video report.
Now that the Haiti national amputee soccer team has been invited to participate, the real work begins. Many players lost all their identify documents in the earthquake. The passport process in now even more complicated and expensive. Funds are needed for the passport and visa fees as well as a training camp in Haiti for the amputee players. Airline tickets must be purchased for the flight from Port-au-Prince to Crespo, Argentina. Please consider making a generous donation to this very worthwhile cause.
Haiti Focus Shifts to Therapeutic Recreation - July, 2010
Estimates indicate that there were 80,000 amputees in Haiti prior to the January 12th catastrophic earthquake, and thousands more became amputees following the earthquake.
As part of our disaster relief response, IIOS helped disabled earthquake victims to receive medical attention, mobility devices, clean water and security lighting.
Now our focus in Haiti has shifted to therapeutic recreation to help amputees enjoy a better life.
Amputee Soccer with its inclusion of both arm and leg amputees is the perfect adaptive sport for therapeutic recreation. In fact, Amputee Soccer is considered by many to be the world’s greatest one-legged game.
In July, Dr. Fred Sorrells and his team visited hospital and rehabilitation wards to encourage new amputees by telling them they could still be involved in the #1 sport in Haiti, Soccer, through the sport of Amputee Soccer. Pictured above, Pierre Bruny, captain of the Haitian National Football Team, encourages amputees at a rehabilitation center in Port-au-Prince.
2010 National Veterans Wheelchair Games - July 4-8, 2010
The 2010 National Veterans Wheelchair Games were held in Denver, Colorado, July 4-8. The largest annual wheelchair sports competition in the world, this event offers 17 different sports to veterans who use wheelchairs due to spinal cord injuries, amputations and neurological diseases.
The games promote rehabilitation through rigorous competition in such events as basketball, rugby, softball, handcycling and others.
Our very own Track & Field Consultant Quintin Stephens competed in track events and won four gold medals. Quintin is pictured right preparing to race.
Dr. Fred Sorrells served as coach/caregiver for Quintin Stephens and for Ken Schoenlein.
Click here for more about the 2010 National Veterans Wheelchair Games.
Quintin Stephens Wins 4 Gold Medals and 1 Silver Medal
2010 National Veterans Wheelchair Games participant Quintin Stephens won gold medals in 100 meter, 200 meter, and 400 meter and discus throw. He won a silver medal in the club throw.
Quintin Stephens received a spinal cord injury during his service with the Marines in 1981. He started wheelchair racing in 1983 as part of his therapy program. He has faithfully participated in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games since then and has accumulated countless metals in track and field events.
The International Institute of SPORT congratulates Quintin and the more than 500 veterans who competed in the 2010 Denver National Wheelchair Games.
Amputee Soccer Introduced to Haiti - June 2010
Amputee Soccer has been described as the greatest one-legged game in the world. It began as a rehabilitation and strengthening activity in the 1980's. However, those who played it found it was great as a real sport outside the rehab setting. Amputee Soccer soon spread from local fields and arenas to become a global sport with its own World Cup. The next World Cup of Amputee Soccer will be held in Argentina this October.
The international game is 6 v 6 + keeper, but there are enough variations in the game to allow local teams to play with as few as 3 v 3 with or without keeper.
Amputee Soccer is international and involves Russian and other Eastern European veterans of Afghanistan, West African combat survivors and even Middle Eastern players. Most recently this amazing sport was introduced in Haiti – to help amputee survivors of the fifth worst earthquake in human history.
Amputee soccer was introduced to Haiti by IIOS President Dr. Fred Sorrells who had seen a large number of amputees during his visits to hospital wards following the January 12 earthquake. Children, teens and adults were all affected.
Many had played soccer prior to the earthquake, and it became apparent that Amputee Soccer could relieve trauma, provide rehab activity, and help amputees re-integrate into society.
When Dr. Sorrells returned from his third post-earthquake trip to Haiti in April, he discovered that the Haiti National Soccer Team was in San Antonio, Texas - hosted by San Antonio Sports and housed at T Bar M Ranch.
Dr. Sorrells visited T Bar M Ranch and shared his vision of amputee soccer with team captain Pierre Richard Bruny, pictured at left with Dr. Sorrells.
Pierre Bruny agreed to help launch the amputee soccer program in Haiti. When Dr. Sorrells returned to Haiti in June, true to his word Pierre became the driving force behind efforts to introduce the greatest one-legged game in the world to Haiti.
Amputee Soccer is an excellent rehabilitation activity, so Pierre Bruny and his associates have started visiting rehab programs in Port-au-Prince to encourage them to participate in the sport. Pictured right, Pierre visits with two earthquake related amputees as they await their physical therapy session.
Dr. Sorrells worked with Pierre and his associates to teach the fundamentals of the game to interested amputees.
Amputees from Port-au-Prince gather for an amputee soccer training session. Click here for a slide show that will give you an idea of the exciting action found in an amputee soccer match. The soundtrack for the slideshow was written and performed by Scotty G.
Dr. Fred Sorrells is the USA Amputee Soccer Association representative for San Antonio and Central Texas. Please contact him if you live in this region and are interested in joining a team or need more information. Email: fred@iisport.org
Art Helping to Fund IIOS at Gallery Main Street, Tyler, TX
Each 48"(w) x 48"(h) or larger piece on aluminum has an ultra-high gloss finish and comes with a flush-mounted aluminum frame wired to hang and a cleaning cloth. CHAOTICA is perfect for bold commercial interior design applications, but it has been purchased for residential use also.
The piece The Great Hope for Many shown at right will be on display at Gallery Main Street in the Tyler, Texas, from August 5 September 7, 2010. Meet the artist and IIOS president Dr. Fred Sorrells during the opening reception on Thursday, August 5, from 4:30-6:30PM.
To see other works by the artist, visit www.lightrayphotoimagery.com.
For ordering, pricing and delivering information, contact the artist Don Bristow at (903) 894-8224.
Haiti Relief - April 10-20, 2010
Bags lost, but why should I complain?
On April 10, Dr. Fred Sorrells, President of IIOS, wrote, "I arrived safely into Port-Au-Prince this afternoon. My two checked bags did not make the connection in Miami where I changed planes so I have to keep checking at the airport. A bit of a pain as it is not easy or cheap to go back and forth to the airport - but why should I complain when so many here have lost all they had in the earthquake.”
Pictured at right are children in a relief tent trying to fly a handmade kite.
Youth Meeting
The media has documented the extensive international involvement with disaster response and rebuilding following the January 12 earthquake in Haiti. It is also noteworthy to see the incredible response of Haitians themselves to this effort and their concern for the many victims of the disaster.
Dr. Fred Sorrells was asked to lead a disability seminar for members of the young adults department of a Baptist Church in Port-au-Prince. In light of the many newly disabled people, efforts must be made to create physical accessibility, and most importantly, acceptance and inclusion in all aspects of society.
Dr. Sorrells Speaks to Port-au-Prince Rotary
Dr. Fred Sorrells was invited to speak to the Port-au-Prince Rotary. He talked about the benefits of therapeutic recreation and particularly sports for the disabled. Rotary International has been very instrumental in helping eradicate polio and providing assistive devices such as crutches and wheelchairs for the disabled.
Dr. Sorrells encouraged the Port-au-Prince Rotary to partner with other chapters in the USA in collecting forearm crutches. These are essential for participants in amputee soccer.
Haiti Relief - March 21-31, 2010
Congressman Mike Conway helps with passort
The passport of IIOS president, Dr. Fred Sorrells, was about to expire on March 27. Fred had originally planned to make his second post-earthquake trip to Haiti before it expired, but the trip was delayed until a March 21 departure.
Thanks to the excellent work of Congressman Mike Conway and his excellent administrative assistant, Corbette Padilla, Fred's passport was renewed in two days.
Following-up with Eveline
On his first visit to Haiti following the January 12 earthquake, Dr. Sorrells helped Eveline get to the University of Miami tent hospital. She received an orthopedic boot. Upon his return visit in March, Dr. Sorrells found that Eveline’s mobility had improved significantly. He assisted her get physical therapy in order to have full use of foot.
Pictured right, a physical therapist works with Eveline’s injured foot.
Estimates indicate that there were 80,000 amputees prior to the January 12 earthquake. Although the exact number has not been determined, a large number of injured became amputees after the earthquake. Others have spinal cord injuries. IIOS is actively working to identify amputees and plans to expand therapeutic recreation services to the newly physically challenged.
Soccer to help amputees
Plans are underway to use the adaptive sport of amputee soccer to help earthquake amputees overcome tramatic injury. Just seeing amputees playing soccer will be an encouragement to the entire population. In other words, if the amputee victims are playing soccer, maybe there is a real chance I will have a place to live and the country is returning to normalcy.
Our short-term goal is to establish an amputee football program to assist the thousands of amputees integrate back into society. The amputee athletes use the forearm (Canadian) crutches to play amputee football. The program will eventually operate for cadets, junior, and senior amputees.
Pictured right, ten year old amputee Jean Peter enjoys football practice as his father looks on. Amputee football will enable many recent amputees overcome their disabilities and re-integrate back into society. Our longterm goal is to establish a therapeutic recreation center here in Haiti that offers physical therapy, leisure, recreation, sports for the disabled and job training. It would include an athletics track.