Providing "A Chance at Freedom" to Disabled Athletes

December 2012

MITRE's Patrick Braker pushes Colorado Springs Sled Hockey Association player Tait during a recent game.

When Patrick Braker's children were younger, they could often be found at the local ice rink—his son played hockey and his daughter took skating lessons. While watching his children skate, Braker noticed another, less traditional group of athletes practicing on the ice: the Colorado Springs Sled Hockey Association.

The non-profit group runs a program for disabled youngsters and adults to play ice hockey by pushing themselves, or being pushed by volunteers, in specialized sleds. "They often needed help putting the players into the sleds, so my son and I would help out with this," says Braker, a lead information systems engineer at MITRE's Colorado Springs site. "I started volunteering along with my son. It all started kind of by chance."

Three years later, Braker has taken over as president of the non-profit association. It's a volunteer position that involves everything from budgeting to fundraising to player recruitment to active time out on the ice. "I'm the herder of the cats," he says. Though the work is time-consuming, Braker believes it's worthwhile given the sport's positive impact on the players.

An "Out of the Wheelchair" Experience

"For many of the participants, playing sled hockey is a chance at freedom from the restrictions they normally face," he says. "It's an 'out of the wheelchair' experience. We put them in the sled and they are completely in charge of their movement."

The players, who range in age from 7 to their late 50s, cope with disabilities such as lower leg amputations, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, hip disorders, and paraplegia. Their custom sleds allow them to maneuver and pass or shoot the puck using two short sticks. If players lack sufficient upper body strength, "pushers" help them move the sleds.

One of Braker's volunteer responsibilities is to act as "pusher" for Tait, a 40-year-old player on the adult team who has cerebral palsy. "He just wants to get out on the ice and go as fast as he can."

Playing sled hockey has given Tait not only a sense of freedom, but also a feeling of accomplishment and pride. "The first time I was on the ice, I looked up and saw my parents sitting up in the stands. I had a warm feeling inside when I realized that they were actually watching me play a sport just like when my brothers played," he says in his player bio on the CSSHA website.

Tait has the use of only one arm. "He uses his good arm to tell me how he wants to play the puck, either backhand or forehand, and we approach it accordingly."

Another player, a double-amputee who started with the program at age 8 and is now 15, was just accepted to the Junior National Sled Hockey Development Team, Braker says. "This is the development squad that puts together the national teams for the U.S. Paralympics."

Focus on Fundraising

For those who participate in the program, the only cost is a $40 registration fee with the USA Hockey organization, which provides insurance for the players. All other costs, including equipment, ice time, and transportation, are assumed by CSSHA. To cover these costs, the program accepts donations and submits grant proposals to several charitable organizations, including the Christopher and Dana Reeves Foundation and NHL Players Association. Braker's previous post as the organization's secretary made him the primary grant writer.

CSSHA also holds annual fundraisers, including a local police vs. firefighter sled hockey matchup known as "Guns'n Hoses."

To promote the program to potential new players, Braker and other members of the CSSHA board of directors work with local doctors and hospitals that serve children and adults with mobility challenges. They distribute a brochure to local orthopedic surgeons and wheelchair and prosthetics makers. The group also makes appearances at several local hockey tournaments and local college games to promote awareness of the opportunity.

"I've been blessed with two healthy children," he says. "The first time I saw those kids being put into the sleds, it really touched me. It makes you feel good to be able to help people who aren't as fortunate." This strikes him when he travels with Tait, whom he often drives to and from practices and games.

"When I drop him off at his home, I go back to my normal life, but he's still there waiting for an aide to help him get into bed at night," Braker says.

—by Maria S. Lee

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