About Us
- Juli Lubelczyk, Author -
I am a wife, mom, and retired teacher, having taught for over 30 years. I chose to write about adaptive sports because of the impact they made on my own Peter, upon whom Flying Like an Eagle is based. I want all children to know the joy of sports and recognize there are ways everyone can play. I also want able bodied children to understand more about the experiences their classmates and neighbors have. Finally, I want parents of children who need adaptive equipment to understand the opportunity adaptive equipment and sports provide their children. When I'm not writing, I enjoy hiking and traveling with my husband, gardening, reading, cooking, and hanging with friends. I live in Maryland, about half way between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
- Andrew & Peter -
My sons, Andrew and Peter, learned to walk, talk, run and play like most average children. They loved race cars, playing games, legos and the color yellow. But when each turned 3, we discovered they had a genetic condition called mitochondrial disease. This disorder affects energy production at the cellular level which in turn impacts the successful function of organs and muscles. Andrew, the oldest, struggled with seizures, movement tremors, and a lack of balance. He succumbed to his symptoms shortly after his 5th birthday. Research had progressed by the time Peter's symptoms began. We worked with a new genetic specialist and were able to better manage his symptoms which kept him stable longer. We didn't stumble upon the Bennett Blazers adaptive sports program at Kennedy Krieger Institute until a few years after he'd had to stop playing T-ball, running, and walking independently. If only we'd found them sooner! Adaptive sports helped Peter return to independence and joy, while helping me learn to stop hovering and let him be a kid. Wheelchair basketball and racing on his Race Runner added so much to his final years before he passed at age 13. It's in my boys' memory that I share these stories with you.