Large group photo on grassy field with palm trees in background.

Our Programs

Camp PossAbilities

Our Programs

Camp PossAbilities

What Is Camp Possabilties?

Camp Possibilities is a 90-minute recreational, therapeutic, adaptive, and inclusive program created by the Christina Sullivan Foundation, providing individuals with varying abilities the opportunity to participate in a multitude of activities centered on physical activity, nutrition, and inclusion. The program is fostered through partnerships with medical and educational intuitions to promote community engagement, education, and collaboration. All programs are adapted to skill level. All equipment with be provided.

Why Camp PossAbilities?

  • People with disabilities are underrepresented in the curriculum of professional health education.
  • Major healthcare bodies call for improved training in the care of people with disabilities.
  • People with disabilities are more than twice as likely to report finding healthcare provider skills inadequate and four times more likely to be treated badly.
  • Inadequate knowledge and limited experience play a significant role in perpetuating healthcare inequities.

Sources: Alliance for Disability in Health Care Education (2018).

Core Competencies on Disability for Health Care Education. Peacock, NJ: Alliance for Disability in Health Care Education.

WHO | World Report on Disability (2011)

The Mission

A partnership was formed between UTMB and the Christina Sullivan Foundation to address health disparities for people with disabilities.

  • Meet the community's need for inclusive sports
  • Provide an interprofessional practice experience for students.
  • Encourage PT, OT, and MD student “buddies” to work as a team with a group of assigned athletes with disabilities in playing adaptive sports, including tennis and bocce.
  • Form deeper connections and understanding through team continuity and profiles of the likes, dislikes, and capabilities of each “buddy” and athlete.
  • Develop adaptive equipment to improve athlete engagement, which is fabricated by students and faculty.

The Results

The Foundation’s experience and leadership combined with UTMB’s faculty expertise and student passion have resulted in transformative experiences for both “buddies” and athletes.

What We’ve Learned

  • This collaboration provides a natural interprofessional practice experience for students and faculty.
  • It closes an identified education gap and promotes long-term reduction in health inequities by providing students with knowledge and experience in working with people with disabilities.
  • A successful model for adaptive sports programming and learning has been implemented, including Bocce and Tennis.
  • Student demand to participate exceeds capacity. Currently, participation is limited to 30 students for each 6-week session.
  • The student-participant experiences are rich and meaningful beyond anything achievable in a classroom.
Collage of volunteers and participants at the Christine Sutton Foundation Camp for Disabilities event with UTMB Health.

Inclusive Adaptive Programs & Activities

Illustration showing diverse people walking, talking, and engaging in activities, representing the Christina Sullivan Foundation.

1. Teaching Kitchen

2. Para Air Rifle

3. Para Fencing

4. Sitting Volleyball

5. Adaptive Choir

6. Smile Camp

7. Adaptive Archery

8. Backyard Bass Fishing

9. Adaptive Chess

10. Adaptive Fencing

11. Adaptive Top Golf

12. Exploring Music & Art

13. Adaptive Volleyball

14. Power Wheelchair Soccer

15. Adaptive Bowling

16. Adaptive Bocce

17. Beep Baseball/Blind Soccer

18. Adaptive Tennis/Red Ball

19. Adaptive Pickleball

20. First Aid

21. E-sports/Respite Night

22. Adaptive Cornhole