NINA NISSLY, LOCAL ATHLETE IN GLASA, SELECTED TO ATTEND 2010 PARALYMPIC EXPERIENCE IN VANCOUVER
U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, has announced that Nina Nissly (Lake Forest, IL), age 15 and freshman at Lake Forest High School, is one of 13 student athletes with a physical disability selected to attend the 2010 Paralympic Experience Vancouver, March 12-21, 2010, in Vancouver, Canada.
When notified of her selection, Nina says: "I was blown away. I felt honored that I was selected out of all the other applicants. My goal is to play in the Paralympics one day and this is the next step. I’m looking forward to seeing how the athletes compete against each other and their skill level”. Nina was born with cerebral palsy and has been playing sports for GLASA since she was 9. She competed in the National Junior Disability Championships in swimming and also plays sled hockey and basketball for the GLASA team.
The 2010 Paralympic Experience offers a very select group of 13 young student athletes with physical disabilities and a group of six coaches, program leaders and teachers to experience the Paralympic Winter Games firsthand. Participants have the opportunity to meet U.S. Paralympic Team members in addition to attending Opening Ceremonies and competition, gaining an insider’s perspective on the Games.
“Less than five-percent of kids with physical disabilities participate in physical fitness programs,” said Charlie Huebner, Chief of Paralympics, USOC. “Paralympic Experience Vancouver provides us an opportunity to recognize those kids with physical disabilities and community organizations that promote physical fitness programs and health.”
Students were selected based on a video or written essay focused on how sport has positively influenced their lives. Coaches, program leaders and teachers were chosen from applications submitted which include a one-page essay describing their work with students with physical disabilities. CONGRATULATIONS, NINA!!