Should he win the USPGA Championship at the North Carolina course, the 24-year-old will become the youngest man in history to complete the career grand slam. More than 2,000 miles north, just across the Canadian border, fewer TV cameras and spectators are at the Country Hills Golf Club, Calgary -- but PGA Tour history has already been made nonetheless. When Kyle Miller took to the first tee of the ATB Financial Classic on Thursday, he became the first person diagnosed with cerebral palsy to play in a PGA Tour-sanctioned event. Thanks to a sponsors' exemption, which has been earned through years of hard work, charity fundraising and sheer determination, Miller has realized a lifelong dream -- and one that he was told not to reach for. "It's amazing," a delighted Miller told CNN. "You know when you see your name on the PGA Tour app or the PGA Tour website and you're reading the storylines ... you realize your dreams are coming true." "And how many times I've read through those articles or looked at those tee times and seen guys that I knew. "I've been able to teach and inspire countless people with disabilities that achieving your dream is … Continue reading →

Despite having cerebral palsy, Dwayne Boyd decided he wanted to start going to the gym for the first time at the age of 46 and began working out at Planet Fitness in Leominster. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE/JOHN LOVE LEOMINSTER -- One of the first things you notice about Dwayne Boyd is his handshake: a bone-cracking grip not unlike the animated hand of a stone statue. Another thing you will notice are the crutches those vice-like hands are clasped to. "What people don't know is that I'm actually quadriplegic. My arms aren't affected as badly, but they are," he said. Of Leominster's roughly 40,000 residents, Boyd has one of the best excuses not to go to the gym. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy when he was just 6 months old, Boyd relies on his crutches to get around and also experiences limited mobility in his arms. He decided to join Leominster's Planet Fitness in 2015, at the age of 44. Dwayne Boyd began going to the gym for the first time at the age of 44. Despite having cerebral palsy, Boyd is a regular at Planet Fitness in Leominster. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE PHOTO/JOHN LOVE Although he had lifted weights in high school and … Continue reading →

New York CitysHospital for Special Surgery (HSS)is offering a trip to Long Island for young patients with disabilities including cerebral palsy (CP) to try adaptive surfing, a practice gaining attention for its therapeutic benefits. The trip isorganized by the Adaptive Sports Academy atHSS and includes people with CP, patients who have had amputations, and others with physical challenges. Activities like adaptive surfing have been shown to help pediatric patients build self-confidence and independence, and increase physical fitness and mobility. The Adaptive Sports Academy gives our patients a chance to develop new skills and interests, and it promotes mobility and activity. It also reinforces therapy goals by engaging participants in a new activity and requiring them to use their bodies in a new way, Lisa Ipp, chief of pediatric medicine atHSS, said in apress release. There is also an emotional component. Patients are so excited about what they can achieve, and parents are so thrilled to watch them. The outings have also cultivated connections between families who stay in contact long after the event ends, Ipp added. The first trip is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 14, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Long Beach, Long Island. Trained volunteers from Skudin … Continue reading →

A Calgary man is becomingthe first golfer with cerebral palsy to compete at a PGA Tour-sanctioned event, theATB Financial Classic in his home city. "I have a pretty bad left side in a sense, mobility range is limited with my hand and leg," Kyle Miller told The Homestretch this week. "I just have worked through the battle and keep playing golf and caddying. It's part of the program." The 26-year-old, who is also a golf coach, says it was the support and guidance of one of his own coaches that gave him a foundation of confidence. "I was fortunate enough to have a coach Marty Desmaraiswhen I was younghelp me along the way to start learning the game at a pretty young age and I just stuck with it," he said. "Marty just gave me the belief and hope that I could do it. Ultimately, I think that's the number one thing he has given. He is probably the first person to ever believe in me in that sense." Miller says he's always been determined to work past his medical condition. "I have always wanted to earn things as straight up as it was going to get," he explained. "I … Continue reading →

Community project Bobath Scotland Cerebral Palsy Centre in Glasgow has been awarded a 11,770 grant from the Scottish Children's Lottery. Bobath Scotland offers advice, help and support to children and adults living with cerebral palsy, and their families. Specialist therapy focuses on reducing pain, developing communication and mobility so children and adults with cerebral palsy can make the most of their own abilities and everyday life. Video Unavailable Click to playTap to play Play now Parents, siblings, teachers, local therapists and others learn how best to support and include each person. Bobath Scotland supports anyone with a diagnosis of CP, regardless of their age or location, and endeavours to reach as many people as possible at their specialist centre in Glasgow, online, and in their own communities. Stephanie Fraser , CEO of Bobath Scotland Cerebral Palsy Centre, said: Bobath Scotland is committed to helping everyone with cerebral palsy in Scotland live their lives to the full. "This wonderful donation from The Scottish Childrens Lottery will enable young people with CP to take advantage of opportunities and the desire for a fulfilled, independent, adult life that their peers take for granted. Thank you. Your support changes lives. "Chance to Connect supports … Continue reading →