Camp Confidence: 75 limb-challenged athletes, celebrity coaches heading for Du Quoin July 18-20 for three-day Nub-Ability camp
All you need for sainthood in the Catholic Church is two proven miracles.
There will be at least 75 by the time local and celebrity coaches from all across the nation change the lives forever of limb-different athletes July 18-20 during Camp Nub-Ability at the Du Quoin High School.
Jana Kuhnert, whose family founded Nub-Ability Athletes knows there will be first-time campers who will saunter onto VanMetre Field with the stub of arm tucked into the pocket of their shorts, a tell-tale sign of their insecurity and uncertainty.
By Day 3, they will raise their arms high like victory swords as they turn their personal challenges into successes. One-handed coaches will show kids how easy it is to tie a shoe when they go about it the right way.
When the camp began years ago at Sam Kuhnert's Greenville College little 4-year-old Zoe Bosanc of Lansing, Mich. could be seen holding a football for place kickers with her feet. She has no arms.
"When you help a kid find their courage, there is nothing else like it in the world," says Jana Kuhnert.
World Class Coaches Friends of Nub-Ability
Over the years the Kuhnerts have enlisted a coaching staff that inspires.
Paul Artale from Okemos, Mich. was born with missing fingers and shortened forearms. But he soon found out that 10 fingers were overrated and he played football in college at University of Toronto for the Varsity Blues after a successful prep career at Brother Andre Catholic High School. He went on to coach in the college ranks. He is a Team NUB Coach and motivator. He says "Hit hard! Disability is a state of mind, not a diagnosis."
Coach Eric Westover is from Myrtle Beach and is a goal keeper for the USA AMP soccer team. He lost his arm due to a debilitating nerve condition. He has excelled at life since his amputation and has made it his life's work to give back. He is team chaplain.
Kevin Crafton a 2012 graduate and stand out football player of Red Bud High School is currently a starting defensive back for the Lindendwood College-Belleville Lynx. He had eight picks in his freshman season. Kevin was appointed to the NubAbility Athletics Foundation Board of Directors in Dec. of 2012. He is a football coach at camp. He lost his lower right arm in an accident when he was 9. "This is really been a big blessing. Without this happening, I wouldn't be where I am today. I wouldn't have worked as hard, or experienced the joy that I have in sport or life without it."
Nicky Nieves is finishing up her undergrad studies and is a member of the U.S. Paralympic Setting Volleyball Team. She has been a standout in both high school and college volleyball. Nicky is phenomenal with kids and provides a collegiate style training and workout for her older athletes so they can engage and compete in mainstreamed organized volleyball.
Eddie Delaney is a 2012 graduate of the University of Albany. He played D1 football there as a starting defensive end. He earned many honors and accolades as a top notch athlete in his conference, but it was his being named the 2012 NCAA Maxwell Award Winner that set him apart from the rest. Eddie is now a film crew schedule manager for a major sports news company in New York City.
The list goes on and on. Nick Palmer in mixed martial arts and kick-boxing. Josh Kennson in track and field, soccer and basketball. Adrienne Damicis, an alpine ski racer.
They have all become close, personal friends of the Kuhnerts and NubAbility Athletes.
Local Support Anchors Camp's Success
But, it is the local voluntarism that makes you cry tears of joy.
Chef Danielle Woll will have only the highest quality of farm-to-table meat to serve at camp and Smokemaster Tracy Fenton of Fenton's Custom Collision is providing the BBQ picnic main dish and will have the best pork barbecue in the Midwest to smoke and all-beef homemade hot dogs.
Then there is Pete Patalas of the Horace Mann insurance for educators who is donating a downtown Du Quoin suite of offices to house Nub-Ability Athletes. "Because of Pete I get my house back," Jana smiles.
Marsha Morgenstern Shoulders Organization of 5-K Run
Marsha Morgenstern is shouldering the work of the first annual NubAbility Athletes 5K run/Walk on Saturday, July 19 at 8 a.m. at the Du Quoin High School. Runners and baseball fans have an opportunity coming up to support NubAbility Athletics Foundation.
NubAbility will host its first 5K walk/run Saturday, July 19, as part of the organization's annual All-Sport Summer Camp. Participants will compete on an out-and-back course that takes them through parts of the scenic Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. The event begins at 8 a.m., with registration and check-in starting at 6:45 at the Du Quoin High School football field.
Awards will be given to top finishers in various age and gender categories at the completion of the race. Participants who register by July 1 will receive a commemorative T-shirt. Registration is $25 until July 1 and $30 after and can be completed online at www.eventbrite.com or by picking up a form at the Du Quoin State Bank or Alongi's restaurant. Children 10 and under are eligible for a one-mile fun run at a registration cost of $15.
For additional information or sponsorship opportunities, contact Marsha Morgenstern at 618-201-0509.
NubAbility Outdoors Launched
This year marks the launch of NubAblity Outdoors. Limb-challenged pro bass fisherman Clay Dyer will hold a fishing clinic and NubAbility Outdoors launch party from 5 p.m. to dark on Thursday, July 17 at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds. There is no cost, but donations are welcome. Du Quoin High School and Pinckneyville High School bass club coaches and members will assist.
Dyer was born without any lower limbs, no arm on the left side and partial arm on the right. Clay began fishing competitively at age 15 and became a professional angler by the time he turned 18. He fishes the Bassmaster Open series and select charity events and has been featured on several television networks and in major magazines. His motto: "If I can, you can."