NBC Los Angeles features Angel City Sports bringing adaptive sports to athletes

The inaugural Angel City Sports Youth Competition in Studio City was met with cheers and smiles as participants were introduced to the world of adaptive sports. The multi-sport event aimed to get young people with disabilities involved in sports, with the hopes of keeping them engaged in physical activity for the long term.

The event featured a variety of sports such as blind soccer, wheelchair basketball, and track-and-field, giving young athletes the opportunity to compete with one another. One of the participants, 16-year-old Theo Dawson, shared her experience of transitioning from competitive dance to being wheelchair-dependent due to a rare disorder. Despite facing challenges, Theo expressed her determination to overcome people’s expectations and continue participating in sports.

Theo’s mother, Diane Dawson, reflected on the initial challenges they faced in accepting their new reality but emphasized the importance of finding resources to help her daughter participate again. She noted that events like the youth competition have expanded their world and provided a sense of community and resilience.

Paralympian and high jump world champion, Ezra Frech, mentored the young athletes at the competition, expressing his passion for inspiring the next generation through Angel City Sports. He highlighted the importance of finding meaning and purpose in supporting these young athletes, as they strive to push through barriers and succeed in sports.

Parents cheered on their children as they competed in various sports, sending a message of perseverance, community, and hope. Theo Dawson emphasized the need for more awareness around accessible sports and the importance of the supportive community that has been created through events like the Angel City Sports Youth Competition.