time, Ella was in the company of many people
who understood the trials faced by amputees and
she made fast friends with a girl named Katelyn.
Another organization, the Challenged Athletes
Foundation, set Ella up with a mentor who had
the same condition as Ella. They also brought
Ella and her family to their fundraiser event in
San Diego, where they presented Ella with a new
running leg. It was there that Ella learned about
the Bay Area Outreach & Recreation Program
(BORP) in Berkley, a place that has changed her
life.
BORP is a nonprofit organization dedicated
to helping people with physical disabilities
through sports and recreation programs. They
have the only youth sports program in Northern
California, which provides the same competitive
opportunities as regular sports.
From her very first visit, Ella was hooked.
She joined their wheelchair basketball team
and has been dedicated to the sport ever since.
Every Saturday she travels to Berkeley, where she
plays for 6 hours straight. She has formed strong
bonds with her teammates and loves practicing
and competing with them. “She’s a great team-
mate,” says her coach, Trooper Johnson. “She
shows up with a great smile and sense of energy.
She comes in and works her butt off.” And
her hard work certainly shows! Ella is already
playing in BORP’s varsity team as their youngest
member. Not only has BORP given her new
friends and a larger network of support, but it
has also boosted Ella’s confidence. “She’s proud of
being an amputee now,” her father says.
BORP’s wheelchair basketball team competes
both locally and out of state. To help offset
the cost of travel, they host the Roll ’n’ Shoot,
a fundraising event where able bodied people
compete against BORP’s team. It’s a fun way
to raise funds and those who participate gain a
better understanding of the BORP kids’ everyday
lives. On March 28th, BORP will be hosting a
Roll ‘n’ Shoot at Christopher High School from
9 am to 4 pm. Ella and her family hope everyone
in the community will come and participate.
G M H T O D A Y M A G A Z I N E
MARCH / APRIL 2015
gmhtoday.com
Thanks to her parents,
BORP, and everyone
who has shown their
support, Ella has a
bright future ahead of
her. Who knows what
amazing things this
year will bring!
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