National Haitian Amputee Soccer Team Plays at the Capitol

National Haitian Amputee Soccer Team Plays at the Capitol

November 16th, 2010, the Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD) teamed up with the Haitian National Amputee Soccer Team at the State Capitol for a press conference and soccer match. After competing at the 2010 World Cup of Amputee Soccer in Argentina, the Haitian team began a tour of North America to raise awareness of the capabilities of people with disabilities and generate support for a long-term therapeutic recreation program in Haiti. “The State Capitol has never seen anything like this,” said CTD's executive director Dennis Borel.

With the help of the International Institute of SPORT (IIS) the team spent three weeks in the US, working with the Wounded Warrior and VA rehab/therapeutic recreation programs.  IIS is a sports organization whose mission is to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. 

“Many of our players were devastated by the huge earthquake that hit Haiti," said IIS Founder and President Dr. Fred Sorrells.  "Some lost family members, homes and even their limbs.  Soccer and therapeutic recreation has opened a path to a better life.  For many, this team has become a new family.” Team members have received an outpouring of aide, including dental care, prosthetics and reconstructive surgery in America.  For more information and to find out how you can support the Haitian Amputee Soccer team go to www.iisport.org.

The match in Austin was a grand success. The Austin American Statesman, News 8 Austin, and My Fox Austin were just a few media outlets that attended the event, providing much needed publicity to the Haitian Team.  “Spectators at the match left with the indelible impression that people with disabilities may indeed be included in all aspects of the community, even soccer matches,” said Borel.

CTD and IIS thank the event sponsors: Amerigroup Community Care, Rudy’s Country Store and BBQ, the Austin Men’s Soccer Association and the Honorable Joe Straus, Speaker of the House.

Image Gallery

lower half of a soccer player with a below-the-knee amputation behind a soccer ball

National Haitian Amputee Soccer Team

a soccer player with crutches raises his arms and smiles

National Haitian Amputee Soccer Team

group of soccer players pose together while a man speaks into a microphone, with Texas state capitol in the background

National Haitian Amputee Soccer Team

soccer player with a crutch on his arm hugs a woman, in the middle of a group of players with various amputations

National Haitian Amputee Soccer Team

two men with above- and below-the-elbow amputations embrace and smile broadly

National Haitian Amputee Soccer Team

a soccer player in mid-kick is surrounded by opponents

National Haitian Amputee Soccer Team

soccer players with and without amputations circle a soccer ball

National Haitian Amputee Soccer Team

soccer players with above- and below-the-knee amputations kick a soccer ball

National Haitian Amputee Soccer Team

soccer players with above- and below-the-knee amputations kick a soccer ball

National Haitian Amputee Soccer Team

soccer players with above- and below-the-knee amputations kick a soccer ball

National Haitian Amputee Soccer Team

three soccer players with above- and below-the-knee amputations run toward a soccer ball in the foreground

National Haitian Amputee Soccer Team

a soccer player with an above-the-knee amputation quickly changes direction

National Haitian Amputee Soccer Team

soccer players with and without amputations circle a soccer ball

National Haitian Amputee Soccer Team

soccer players with and without amputations circle a soccer ball

National Haitian Amputee Soccer Team

a soccer player with an above-the-knee amputation runs toward a soccer ball in the foreground with an opponent player close behind

National Haitian Amputee Soccer Team

soccer players with and without amputations run in one direction

National Haitian Amputee Soccer Team

Media Kit

Members of the media interested in leveraging our expertise or scheduling an interview about an issue or upcoming event are encouraged to contact Chase Bearden at info@txdisabilities.org.

View the CTD Media Kit

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