Nearly 200 limb-different kids participate in NubAbility camp

DU QUOIN - A total of 179 limb-different kids from 28 different states and ranging in age from 4-17 participated this past weekend at the seventh annual NubAbility summer sports camp in Du Quoin.

"What a perfect weekend weatherwise to host the camp," said Sheila Trznadel, executive director for the NubAbility Athletics Foundation. "We couldn't have asked for much better."

Trznadel has been involved with all seven camps as her 10-year-old daughter, Faith, who is limb different (missing her right leg), is a participant.

"This is a life-changing, inspirational event for not just the athletes but everyone - the parents, siblings of the participants, the volunteer workers," Trznadel said. "There is so much good that comes from this camp. And it just keeps getting better every year. We had over 200 volunteers this year."

Trznadel said Jenna Powell with Going to Fly - a nonprofit agency that pays for airfare for those families who can't afford it - played a huge role in getting limb-different kids and their families to Du Quoin from all over the country.

"The bottom line is that she purchases their airfare," Trznadel said.

Freedom Innovations, a national prosthetics company, donated three running blades, which were awarded to two different kids at the camp.

Altogether, training was provided to campers in 20 different sports with each participant declaring a focus or favorite sport for detailed individualized instruction.

Festivities got underway Thursday morning and concluded Sunday with the Parade of Champions.

"Without the Du Quoin community, this camp would not run," Trznadel said. "We receive tremendous support from the city and school district."

Sam Kuhnert, founder of the NubAbility Athletics Foundation, said "everything was wonderful" when describing last weekend's camp.

"It really couldn't have gone better," he said. "We had a team of coaches to work with our athletes and the community came out in full support of this camp. It was a huge group effort and turned out remarkably well."

Kuhnert said he fielded only positive remarks from participants and their families.

"This event changes my life for the better every year," he said. "I'm super pumped to try and make this camp even better next year."

Kuhnert said the focus will always be on improving the lives of limb-different children.

"We are here to serve them - make them feel better about themselves," Kuhnert said. "The more lives we touch, the more we help kids, the better I feel, and the better all of our hundreds of volunteers feel."

This year's camp was the largest to date, up 23 from a year ago.