Special Care’s Ivan Lendl Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp

WEST HARTFORD — New Britain-based Hospital for Special Care is again joining with Tennis Hall of Famer and Connecticut resident Ivan Lendl in sponsoring Special Care’s Ivan Lendl Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp. This year’s camp is scheduled to take place Monday, August 4, through Friday, August 8, from 9 am to pm on the campus of Saint Joseph College in West Hartford. The registration deadline for participation in the camp is July 25.

Thanks to generous donations from its sponsors, including proceeds from the Foundation of Special Care, Inc, Ivan Lendl’s Golf Classic charity golf tournament, and The New Britain-Berlin Rotary Club, the entire camp is offered free-of-charge to children with physical disabilities from ages 7 to 18. The camp provides an opportunity for youths with physical disabilities to participate in sports such as tennis, swimming, and basketball, as well as receive instruction from skilled disabled athletes.

The counselors act as role models for the children and create a fun, self-esteem-building environment for them to learn in.

“We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to once again be working with Ivan Lendl and the New Britain-Berlin Rotary Club on this wonderful event,” said John Votto, CEO for Hospital for Special Care. “At Hospital for Special Care, we believe that children and adults living with physical disabilities deserve the chance to pursue their dreams. Special Care’s Ivan Lendl Junior Wheelchair Sports Camp is a program that provides an opportunity for young people living with physical disabilities to realize the many rewards that go hand-in-hand with the pursuit of athletic achievements.”

Started in 1991 by Janeace Slifka, the mother of a disabled child, it has become an inspiration to everyone. Ivan Lendl donated his time to participate in a tennis exhibition held to raise funds for wheelchair tennis and to start the camp; he has continued his involvement with the camp ever since.

Due to the compassion of those involved, and the continued support of its sponsors, Ms Slifka has been able to see her dream become a reality. The camp is a place where children like her son can participate in sporting events for the first time and experience the sense of accomplishment gleaned from the pursuit of athletic achievements.

“This was the first camp of its kind on the East Coast, and has attracted campers from as far away as Florida and Vermont,” said Ms Slifka. “We could not be more proud of what the program accomplishes for these children and the impact it has on everyone who participates.”

For further information on Special Care’s Ivan Lendl Adaptive Sports Camp, call 860-832-6220.