ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network plans to host a series of free adaptive fishing and golfing events this spring and summer for people living with disabilities, offering a chance to learn basic fishing and golfing techniques and gain experience with adaptive equipment.

The only offering of its kind in the Lehigh Valley, the adaptive fishing and golfing series will start May 6 with fishing and run through September 20 with the final golfing event. The events are open to those who are at least 18 years old and living with a disability.

Adaptive Fishing Dates, Times and Other Details

All fishing sessions are 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Lehigh Valley Road Runners Club House, 1696 Park Drive, in Allentown.

• Friday, May 6, 2022 (Rain Date: May 13)
• Tuesday, June 7, 2022 (Rain Date: June 14)
• Tuesday, July 12, 2022 (Rain Date: July 15)
• Tuesday, August 9, 2022 (Rain Date: August 19)

Participants must obtain a fishing license prior to the event. Participants are encouraged to bring their own fishing pole, if possible. Good Shepherd will have a limited amount of adaptive fishing equipment available, too.

For more information on registering for a fishing license, visit the PA Fish and Boat Commission website.

Adaptive Golfing Dates, Times and Other Details

All golfing sessions are 1-3 p.m. at the Allentown Municipal Golf Course, 3400 Tilghman Street.

• Tuesday, May 17, 2022
• Tuesday, June 21, 2022
• Tuesday, July 19, 2022
• Tuesday, August 16, 2022
• Tuesday, September 20, 2022

Registration is required. Call 610-776-3540 or visit GoodShepherdRehab.org to sign up for fishing or golfing.

A team of recreational therapists from Good Shepherd — Susan Bates, Linda Bollinger and Katrina Pidstawski — designed the free adaptive sports offerings.

“This series of outings is a way to make both fishing and golfing accessible to people living with disabilities, as these sports should have no boundaries,” says Bates, the project’s lead. “We’re excited for this series because we can demonstrate how to use special equipment, such as adaptive fishing rod holders, casting aids and knot-tying devices, as well as adaptive golfing equipment. Plus, golfers can have an individualized session from a golf professional.”

The adaptive fishing and golf offerings are part of Bates, Bollinger and Pidstawksi’s overall adaptive sports project to provide year-round recreational opportunities for individuals with disabilities to improve health, wellness and quality of life. Their adaptive sports program was among the first-ever recipients of the Good Shepherd Innovation Grants, a game-changing program that invests significantly in idea generation for 2,000-plus team members at both Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network and Good Shepherd Penn Partners in the greater Philadelphia region.

“The Good Shepherd Innovation Grants aim to harness our team members’ enthusiasm, natural curiosity and deep dedication, with the ultimate goals of stimulating innovation, increasing collaboration and imagining projects that improve care, define the future of rehabilitation or improve key business practices,” says Emily Lyter, PT, DPT, administrative director of Good Shepherd Learns, Creates and Research.

About Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network

Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network, a broadly recognized, not-for-profit rehabilitation leader with more than 70 locations in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, is committed to transforming lives through expertise, innovation and compassion.

Good Shepherd provides an exceptional patient experience for people of all ages and stages by developing leading-edge solutions, often for complex medical situations; serving as a test site for the newest rehabilitation technologies; and inspiring hope in all we do.

Good Shepherd traces its pioneering spirit for innovation and compassionate care to its founding family, The Rev. John “Papa” Raker and D. Estella “Mama” Raker. In 1908, the Rakers opened the Good Shepherd Home to care for children with disabilities and senior citizens, filling an unmet community need — and setting the stage for Good Shepherd’s continued growth as a rehabilitation groundbreaker.

Headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Good Shepherd also partners with Penn Medicine to provide rehabilitation and specialty services in the greater Philadelphia area and New Jersey through Good Shepherd Penn Partners.

 

Learn more about Good Shepherd’s mission and vision.