Adaptive Recreation Opportunities in the Panhandle

One Chair at a Time was started by Veteran, Joe Rodriguez who grew up in Sunray, Texas playing sports. Joe was paralyzed from injuries received in an accident while in the Air Force.

In 2013, Joe founded One Chair at a Time. This is a nonprofit dedicated to improving the quality of life for teenagers and young adults with physical disabilities. They offer sports wheelchairs, education, and chances for participation in sports.

One Chair at a Time teams compete in various sports activities. Their main sports are Track and Field, Wheelchair Basketball, Archery, and Power Lifting. They also provide individual coaching, mentoring, group practice, sport clinics and they work with high school coaches.

One Chair at a Time takes their athletes to the Endeavor Games in Edmond, Oklahoma at the University of Central Oklahoma each year. At this event, they can compete in various sports. There is archery, cycling, power lifting, air rifle shooting, sitting volleyball, soccer, swimming, table tennis, track and field, and wheelchair basketball.  

One Chair at a Time hosts two fundraisers each year. Their fundraisers are the Donut Run & Roll and Celebrity Wheelchair Exhibition Game. The Donut Run & Roll is a 5K, 1K, and Mini Donut Run. Anyone can be a part of The Donut Run & Roll. The Celebrity Wheelchair Exhibition Game is a 24-team wheelchair basketball tournament. For this fundraiser, local businesses and celebrities make up the teams. They compete against One Chair at a Time athletes for the fun championship. The tournament is called Wheelchair Madness.

The founder of One Chair at a Time said, “We hope to help make the difference between having a dream to compete and having the resources and skills to do it.”

Contact information:

Phone: 806-367-5904
Email: [email protected]
Address: 8125 Victory, Amarillo, Texas.

Special Olympics is another great resource for adaptive recreational opportunities in the panhandle. Check out their Motor Activities Training Program in Amarillo and Lubbock.

For adaptive recreational activities in your area, search Services, Groups and Events on this web site.