My 2014 National Disability Employment Awareness Month Blog – Bridge II Sports

Ashley Thomas, Founder and Executive Director of Bridge II Sports, is herself a member of the US National Parakayak team.

Ashley Thomas, Founder and Executive Director of Bridge II Sports, is herself a member of the US National Parakayak team.


On September 11 of this year, I attended the second annual Triangle (NC) Business Journal’s Leaders in Diversity awards luncheon. I met one of the outstanding and inspirational award winners in the nonprofit leadership category, Ashley Thomas, Founder and Executive Director of Bridge II Sports. I felt she would be perfect to interview for my this year’s October National Disability Employment Awareness Month blog.


STAN: “First, Ashley, could you tell me a little about what Bridge II Sports is all about?”
ASHLEY: “Sure, Bridge II Sports (BIIS), provides adapted sports programs for people with physical disabilities. Our programs serve both youth and adults, as well as military. Often when one is injured, or is born with disabilities, there are no opportunities for active, healthy sports options. We decided to open a door to this niche. BIIS uses adapted sports to develop confidence in the heart and mind that empowers athleticism and confidence!


STAN: “What inspired you to start and build this organization?”
ASHLEY: “As a child, born with Spina Bifida, I was ambulatory, but not an efficient runner nor did I have balance. Once I got into a wheelchair, I discovered that I no longer had fatigue, new energy was discovered, and that chair that “binds – wheelchair bound”, became the tool that set me free! I began to explore if there was wheelchair racing on the internet. I found a coach from Arizona, who told me how to train over the internet! That is what got me going. It was such a joy to have freedom in movement, set a goal, train, accomplish my 1st 5K in 29:32! This made me think that every child should have this opportunity. I guess to make is short, it was so liberating and empowering to me, I felt like others should have the opportunity.”


A basketball game being played in Wake County, NC

A basketball game being played in Wake County, NC


STAN: “Since I am a diversity and career consultant, I often write and blog about workplace diversity and career development. What do you feel is the connection between engaging people with disabilities in sports and preparing them and empowering them to succeed in the work place?”
AHSLEY: Great question! Physical activity, social interaction on the playground, at parties, boy scouts, girl scouts, church groups, etc., are huge arenas where social development, self-confidence, personal identity, begin to form. When one has a mobility limit, I find that there are many areas that just did not get a change to develop. Creating accountability for those with physical challenge is hard to create….unless the one who is setting the standard also has a limit. Our programs set the standard of being on time, yes we know it may take you longer, to accomplish a task, but, the world works on time. We help understand what it means to be a team player. So often a child with disabilities does not get that opportunity, and become very self-focused. This is not a harsh criticism, but and outcome when so much is focused on the brokenness – multiple doctor visits, PT, OT, social worker, ….. Sometimes a kid just needs to be a kid. When accountability, goal setting, team mindedness, is incorporated into the programs, we have developed people who will be great employees! Everyone has a limit, I wanted the folks how have physical limits to have the same ability for development using sports as those who are able to walk, see, move!


STAN: “Is there anything else you want to tell me about Bridge II Sports or yourself?”
ASHLEY: BIIS is a non-profit that functions by many volunteers and donors. I would like to invite folks to learn more about our programs and get involved. Please consider becoming a part of the 360 Club (Link) and sponsor a program so children and adults with disabilities can play!


Many thanks to Ashley for strengthening our community and help so many people though her fine work and organization! Do check out the amazing wide variety of sports programs offered, from indoor to outdoor, individual, team and even extreme!

Also, here is a link to last year’s blog about another fine leader and organization: Sandy Moonert and Enable America.