4 minute read
Levine JCC Kids Triathlon: Empowering Children, Transforming Lives
September 2023
By Julie Rizzo
In 2011, a tragic car accident in Texas forever changed the lives of three young children, whose parents lost their lives when another car veered into oncoming traffic. The children were immediately taken to a hospital for emergency care and later airlifted over 500 miles away for rehabilitative therapy.
This Jewish family had connections to the Charlotte Jewish community, and in response to the tragedy, a bake sale was organized at the Levine JCC to raise funds for the children. This incident prompted the staff at Levine JCC to explore the services available to children in the Charlotte region during such difficult times. They met with the staff from Levine Children’s Hospital and discovered that children in Charlotte with a severe illness or injury can receive both traumatic care and rehabilitation in one place, followed by participation in adaptive sports locally.
This realization marked the beginning of a meaningful partnership between the Levine JCC and Atrium Health Foundation, leading to the creation of the Levine JCC Kids Triathlon. The purpose of this event was to raise awareness and funds for pediatric rehabilitative services at Levine Children’s Hospital (LCH) and the Adaptive Sports and Adventures Program (ASAP) through Carolinas Rehabilitation.
Historically, the funds raised were evenly divided between LCH and ASAP, supporting various needs such as new equipment for inpatient rehabilitation, field trips to help children transition back to home and school, and adaptive sports equipment. However, this year, a portion of the proceeds will be allocated to support the development of new special needs and adaptive programming at Shalom Park, ensuring a positive impact even closer to home.
This unique event is open to children ages five through 14, regardless of their backgrounds or athletic abilities. It is heartwarming to witness children using adaptive equipment participating alongside those who do not require it, creating a supportive and inclusive atmosphere that echoes with cheers from the crowd, even reaching Southpark Mall!
Meet some of those who participated this year:
Christopher Lindler, a 7-yearold with a history of prematurity and cerebral palsy, underwent surgery in 2021. A few days later, he was admitted to the pediatric rehab unit at LCH, where he spent 2 ½ weeks. Christopher has since made significant progress and now enjoys outdoor activities with his twin brother, like fishing, kayaking, and waterskiing. He has participated in the Kids Triathlon twice.
Shane West-Ringler, an active 6-year-old, was admitted to Duke University Hospital in 2021 after the discovery of a golf ball-sized brain tumor. After surgery and a 4-week stay at LCH for inpatient rehab, Shane made great progress. He can now perform most of his daily activities with minimal assistance, walking and running with the help of a brace on his left leg and making strides in restoring movement in his left arm. He is thrilled to have graduated from a therapy bike to his own bike with adaptive wheels.
Two-time Kids Triathlete, Jabron Battle, an independent 11-year-old, was admitted to Levine Children’s Hospital in 2021 with brain lesions. After a stay of almost two months, he was discharged from the pediatric rehab unit, needing only limited supervision. Jabron’s resilience shone through as he continued to work hard and engage in activities like playing football with friends and riding his bike.
Brody St. Clair, a healthy and active 13-year-old, sustained a traumatic brain injury from a mountain bike crash in 2022, despite wearing his helmet. He spent four days in the acute care hospital and six days in the pediatric rehab unit at Levine Children’s. After just 10 days from the date of his accident, Brody was discharged and later picked up a new hobby – playing the guitar – while waiting for the green light to resume mountain biking.
The 11th Annual Levine JCC Kids Triathlon, held last May was a resounding success, thanks to corporate sponsorships and individual fundraising by 140 participants. Since the inception of the event in 2012, the net total raised reaches almost $950,000. Stay tuned next year for the 12th Annual LJCC Kids Tri on May 19, 2024 to help us reach the $1 million mark!
