Adapt and Conquer

March 12, 2026

Adapt and Conquer

In my opinion therapy is torture. I’m not going to sugar coat it…no one likes to go to occupational or physical therapy. I understand that therapy is necessary to keep my body functioning and to maintain what strength and range of motion that I can, but I don't have to love it. One of my therapists who has been torturing me in therapy sessions for the past roughly 5 years has created a non-profit called Prairieland Adaptive. This non-profit gets individuals with disabilities from full-time wheelchair users, individuals with prosthesis, pretty much any disability you can imagine, and gives hope to people who thought the experiences were never even possible.

What Prairieland Adaptive means to me is to get a chance. To try what you haven’t tried before. If you don’t know me, I like to try anything fun and possibly even epic adventures if I get the opportunity. I don’t want to get hurt, but I don’t want to miss out on an experience out of fear or difficulty. I would say that if I did not have my disability I would not have the experiences I have had, or things like getting my service dog Tibbs. If I wasn’t searching for sports, or activities that I could do, I would have never found out about Paws Giving Independence, or Prairieland Adaptive. Although I do not like having a disability, it does not define me, but it is a part of who I am. I would not trade the experiences, knowledge, and people I have met because of it. I would not have met many of my best friends, or my team who I can always depend on. Life looks different for people with disabilities. Everyone wants to be included and have access to what they want and need. That's why I am so grateful for my therapist who has opened up a new world of opportunities for people with disabilities, in our small rural area that did not have that opportunity before.

What I always say is “live life to the fullest”. That's what I intend to do throughout my life. Tomorrow is never promised, so do what you can every day. Prairieland Adaptive is just starting, but it has the potential to do big things. What I think Prairieland Adaptive means to the community is a way to be out there with people who can relate to you. When I am able to relate to someone I find a connection. My siblings do sports with others that do that same sport, they have a connection. It is the same with a disability, we might not have the same one but we can relate to each other. Some people may not have a disability, but may know someone with a disability. It can give us a chance to relate with a whole world of people through a shared experience. Prairieland Adaptive is important to me and the community. I have tried things that I would never have thought were possible for someone with a rare disease like mine. Having individuals who have the knowledge and training to assist someone with a disability is really hard to come by, as well as often very expensive. I love participating in non-profits, because it gives people who have a very hard time affording adaptive experiences the opportunity to be like everyone else. I have many favorite non-profits but will focus on Prarieland Adaptive today. When you have a disability it can be hard to get used to. You may have had it since birth or it may have came on suddenly. Everyone desires to be normal. What I have learned is that normal is overrated. We are all unique, just own yourself and be your own person. I have had the privilege of seeing Prairieland Adaptive start, and will enjoy participating and seeing it give hope and freedom to our community.