LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The LouCity Racing & Foundation and Hanger Clinic partnered together to host Louisville Moves, a free orthotic and prosthetic mobility workshop at the Lynn Family Sports Vision & Training Center.
This workshop invited people with limb loss or limb difference together to learn and play soccer with representatives from the U.S. Amputee Soccer Team.
"We started off with some agility and movement, we went on to a dribbling exercise. You have to be able to control the ball, so all the players got to control and dribble around," George Davis IV, the LouCity & Racing Foundation's executive director and former Louisville City FC player, said. "We moved into the passing element, learning how to pass the ball with the inside of your foot. And then we finished with the best part of the game, which is scoring goals."
Davis coordinated a mix of soccer and non-soccer activities during Louisville Moves for the participants.
"We all face barriers in our lives and that shouldn't prevent you from being able to enjoy the game. Whether you have an orthotic or a prosthetic or you've been an amputee, regardless of your situation, we want to make sure you're still able to enjoy the sport. It's important they see others have faced it, others have overcome, and what they do it remarkable," Davis said.
The event aims to help participants of all ages and abilities adapt to athletics and help them achieve their own personal goals.
"It's fun seeing people like me with prosthetics," Rory said, who had both her legs amputated when she was born.
Certified prosthetists and orthotists were at the workshop to help with activities, including Hanger Clinic Prosthetist and Orthotist Michael McCauley.
"We can get them on the field, have a good time, smile and empower some human potential," McCauley said. "It's unreal. The best part about it is just walking around the field and seeing out participants smile."
And smiles filled the field as people young and old kicked around soccer balls and learned new skills, all while making new friends.
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