Baltimore (January 5, 2023) – Kennedy Krieger Institute’s adaptive sports program, the Bennett Blazers, is finding itself in the spotlight at Capital One Arena, home to the Washington Capitals, Washington Mystics and Washington Wizards, thanks to a partnership between Gatorade’s “Fuel Tomorrow” initiative and Monumental Sports Network.
A nine-minute, documentary-style movie that showcases the Bennett Blazers’ adaptive sports program for children with disabilities will play for thousands of fans in the arena throughout the current basketball and hockey seasons. The short movie highlights the story of Logan, a Bennett Blazers athlete with spina bifida, and his journey into adaptive sports. Through courtside interviews and success stories, it reinforces how the Bennett Blazers, which has trained nearly a dozen Paralympians, “teach children with disabilities that they can, before someone tells them they cannot.”
“The journey to become an athlete is well-documented. However, the journey to become a Paralympian or an adaptive sports collegiate athlete isn’t shared enough, and it’s something we should all be talking about more,” said Gwena Herman, assistant director of the Bennett Blazers adaptive sports program at Kennedy Krieger. “We hope that by sharing Logan’s story and that of the Bennett Blazers program, it reminds people that we’re all able to accomplish great things, no matter our abilities or differences.”
Gatorade’s “Fuel Tomorrow” initiative, which launched in early 2022, aims to break down some of the social and economic barriers that have long prevented many young people from participating in sports.
For those who don’t catch the movie at Capital One Arena, they can watch it online at the Bennett Blazers' website.
###
About Kennedy Krieger Institute
Kennedy Krieger Institute, an internationally known, non-profit organization located in the greater Baltimore/Washington, D.C. region, transforms the lives of more than 25,000 individuals a year through inpatient and outpatient medical, behavioral health and wellness therapies, home and community services, school-based programs, training and education for professionals and advocacy. Kennedy Krieger provides a wide range of services for children, adolescents and adults with diseases, disorders or injuries that impact the nervous system, ranging from mild to severe. The Institute is home to a team of investigators who contribute to the understanding of how disorders develop, while at the same time pioneer new interventions and methods of early diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Visit KennedyKrieger.org for more information about Kennedy Krieger.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jessica Gregg
Greggj@KennedyKrieger.org
443-823-9811 (cell)
Jamie Watt Arnold
PROFILES
Jamie@ProfilesPR.com
215-284-5789 (cell)
