Adaptive Sports & Fitness Center Updates

Please join the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab Adaptive Sports & Fitness team at the Abilities Expo Chicago June 20-22.

The event will take place at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center and will feature hundreds of great companies showcasing products, tech, inclusive resources and adaptive opportunities.

Find us at booth 117 as we present a sports zone with opportunities to try out adaptive equipment, connect with community and grow our fan base through social outreach. Volunteers are needed so please reach out today if you are available to help out. The event is free of charge for all participants. We hope to see you at the expo!

Please contact Kelsey LeFevour at 312.238.6824 or email klefevour02@sralab.org to volunteer. 

Softball is officially underway for youth and adults with weekly practice on Tuesday nights 6-8:30 pm (adults only), Saturdays from 9:30-11:30 am (youth) and 11:30 am-2:30 pm (adults) at California Park.

To kick off the season, our adult wheelchair softball team travelled to their first tournament of the year at Mary Free Bed in Grand Rapids, MI this past weekend. 

Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and the Chicago Park District are excited to be co-hosting two softball events this summer at California Park. Please mark your calendars and join us for two great weekends of softball!

• June 28-29: Our annual home tournament

• August 2-3: The Junior World Series Tournament 

Please contact Pierre Nealon at 312.238.5010 or email pnealon@sralab.org with any questions. 

We’re excited to welcome Jordan Dann from the Henry B. Betts, MD, LIFE Center for a special drop-in session at our Adaptive Fitness Center clinic on Wednesday, July 23, from 11:45 am to 12:30 pm. No RSVP needed — just stop by!

Jordan will be hosting open office hours — an informal, welcoming opportunity to ask questions, explore educational resources, and learn more about the wide range of support the LIFE Center offers.

What to Expect from LIFE Center Office Hours:

• One-on-one time with Jordan to get connected with free educational tools and community resources

• Resource topics will include stroke, diabetes and Parkinson’s disease — with insights tailored to support both patients and caregivers

• A guest appearance from a peer mentor who will share real-life experiences and tips for navigating recovery and adaptive living

Rena is a cancer survivor who has been participating in functional fitness and exercise for cancer training sessions to build the strength and balance she needs to take on the challenging trails she loves. Thanks to her hard work, pain no longer holds her back. 

"As a cancer survivor with osteoporosis and neuropathy, my diagnosis of hip bursitis put a huge dent in my ability to hike. Thanks to the team at Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, both the physical therapy and the Sports & Fitness Program, I progressed to workouts that took my strength, balance and endurance to new heights. 

I am a confident hiker today, and enjoy strenuous outings in beautiful forests. I feel my feet connecting with the path, and am much more comfortable on narrow bridges and stepping stones. Even my posture has improved. I am profoundly grateful to have the joy of hiking back in my life."

We're so proud to be part of her journey! For more information about individualized functional fitness or exercise for cancer treatment, please contact Aleks Gebska, at 312.238.5001 or email agebska@sralab.org.

Group Classes:

• Adaptive Tai Chi

• Adaptive Pilates

• Adaptive Yoga: Seated Level or
  Mat Level

• Aquatic Fitness (group or one-on-one)

• Balance and Stability

• Boxing (group or one-on-one)

• Chair-based Dance

• Diabetes Program

• Parkinson's Program: PWR! Circuit

• Proactive Parkinson's Disease Program

• Strength and Bone Resilience

One-on-one Classes:

• Aquatic Fitness (group or one-on-one) 

• Boxing (group or one-on-one)

• Exercise for Cancer

• Functional Fitness

• Golf Performance Assessment

• Telefitness Virtual Exercise Program