Marathons have an ancient history. Legend is that way back in 490 BC, Philippides ran non-stop from the battlefields of Marathon, Greece back to Athens to announce victory over the Persians. “We have won!” he said and then immediately fell over dead. Triathlons, on the other hand are relatively young. The first one was held in … Continue reading IMPACT – Andrew Yoder and Rick Poole
“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
(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
(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
(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
I became a quad amputee around my 50th birthday after having strep throat which developed into Toxic Shock Syndrome. I had total body organ failure. To save my life, they gave me medicine to raise my blood pressure. It saved my vital organs but created a loss of blood flow to my extremities. It caused … Continue reading IMPACT – Beth Kase
**Michael “Tony” Petro, 72, husband of Sandy (Berry) Petro, passed away suddenly at his home in Birdsboro on Wednesday, August 26, 2020. In his memory, IM ABLE and CrossFit Crossing host a memorial workout in his honor: Hero WOD: “OORAH” in loving memory of Tony Petro Warm-up (In Cadence) 8 Monkey Squats, 31 Jumping Jacks, … Continue reading IMPACT – Tony and Sandy Petro
**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
“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
