“In high school, I played soccer and competed briefly as an amateur player, but it hasn’t always been that way,” explained Patrick. “I started having seizures around four or five. This made my childhood difficult.” “He was very active in many sports,” Patrick’s dad, Jim, recalled, “soccer, little league baseball, track, wrestling and swimming. His … Continue reading IMPACT – Patrick & Jim Sweeney
Category: Impact
Penn National Donation Gives Boost to IM ABLE Program
(Story by WFMZ-TV 69 News) A new program launched by the IM ABLE Foundation is getting off to a strong start, thanks in part to a donation from Penn National Gaming. The Wyomissing-based company has donated $15,000 to IM ABLE’s “Operation Lead from the Front” initiative. The program matches veteran mentors with children with disabilities. … Continue reading Penn National Donation Gives Boost to IM ABLE Program
IM ABLE Foundation Gives Adaptive Bike to Amputee
(Story by WFMZ-TV 69 News) It’s said that you never forget how to ride a bike. Steven Krietz of Wernersville didn’t forget. He was no longer able to, after an accident at Blue Marsh Lake in 2003 changed everything. “I went fishing. It was just supposed to be a normal night fishing,” Krietz recalled. “Being … Continue reading IM ABLE Foundation Gives Adaptive Bike to Amputee
RHS Gets Equipment Donation for Special Education Students
(Story by WFMZ-TV 69 News) Reading High School’s special education team is partnering with a local foundation to help students stay active. For Chris Kaag, the founder of the IM ABLE Foundation, his mission to promote activity in kids of all abilities is his driving force. “There’s lots of kids who are very sedentary and … Continue reading RHS Gets Equipment Donation for Special Education Students
IMPACT – Tony and Sandy Petro
Physical fitness. Two very simple words and yet they encompass so much meaning related to an individual’s life and well-being. IM ABLE’s Inclusive Fitness Personal Training started as a small initiative to help individuals with disabilities achieve their personal fitness goals as well as to help them lead a happier, more active life. Whether they … Continue reading IMPACT – Tony and Sandy Petro
IMPACT – Jennie Lillis
**Jennie has been participating in IM ABLE Foundation’s adaptive fitness program since autumn, 2018. She reluctantly agreed to share her story. What follows is her unedited, uninterrupted response to one question: “What brought you to IM ABLE?” Warning: this story contains graphic content that some may find disturbing. I had a stroke on March 10th, … Continue reading IMPACT – Jennie Lillis
IMPACT – Zumba Gold
“It’d be easy to just stay in bed but you can’t stop. You have to keep moving.” Cheryl, in yellow in the photo above, has four rules for her adaptive Zumba “parties.” Rule number one is to have fun – what happens in Zumba class stays in Zumba class. That along with rules two and … Continue reading IMPACT – Zumba Gold
IMPACT – Operation Lead from the Front
Join Operation Lead from the Front. Donate now. “My husband Jason has taken Robert to Planet Fitness a few times, hoping he would be able to come along regularly,” said Jennifer DiBona. “That was the idea…he went maybe three times. It was like pulling teeth. There was no one else there with a physical … Continue reading IMPACT – Operation Lead from the Front
IMPACT – The Hollinger Family
“I don’t get it. Even today, I look back and just don’t get it.” Jeremy Hollinger was 16 years old on July 2, 1997 when he went on a trip up to the mountains of Tioga County. You may not be familiar with Tioga County, but it’s the deep woods of north-central Pennsylvania. It’s the … Continue reading IMPACT – The Hollinger Family