POWELL, Ohio — A Columbus-area nonprofit believes with a little bit of courage, everyone can enjoy a fun day outdoors.
Maddison Mattey is the director of Sports and Volunteers at Adaptive Sports Connection (ASC). It’s the nonprofit wing of the water recreation company Get Out Adventures (GOA). Their mission is to empower veterans, children and adults with disabilities through sports and therapeutic recreation. They’re located in Powell, just north of Columbus.
“All the fees from Get Out Adventures go back to support Adaptive Sports Connection, so you can paddle here knowing that your money is doing good and helping people get out and be active,” said Mattey.
Mattey was born with a congenital birth defect. It “makes my left leg shorter than my right, so I wear a prosthetic to help me walk. When I grew up, there were no adaptive sports that I knew of, and so we always just figured out a way to do things,” she said.
Mattey was introduced to ASC while she was with her family learning to ski. The organization happened to be on the slopes that day and stepped in to give her instruction and assistance. By the end of the day, she was skiing on one leg.
“I learned to kayak through this organization. I’ve done water skiing and mountain biking, and all kinds of things, she said.
Mattey said ASC helps level the playing field for those with disabilities.
“Once you’re in the water, what’s cool is you don’t know that I’m wearing a prosthetic right now, and I don’t know that you’re not. So once we’re on the water, we’re all just kayakers.”
While working with guests, Mattey focuses on their strengths, not their disabilities. ASC has tools including outriggers, lateral supports, paddle adaptations and more so that everyone can be successful.
“I know how much this organization changed my life and so it’s nice to be able to give back that same sense of self-worth and belonging and community,” she said.
GOA and ASC open Friday, June 3 for the 2022 summer season. They’re open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through Labor Day.
The cost for a kayak or canoe rental at GOA is $30 for adults and $20 for children for two hours on the water. That includes a life jacket, paddle and instruction. Veterans receive free rentals.
ASC has a different fee structure. The cost is $10 for kayaking and cycling, $15 for sailing and $45 for skiing. However, they don’t want cost to be a barrier. Mattey said those with disabilities already face so many barriers to getting outside and participating in sports so they also provide scholarships for anyone who faces financial hardship.
