The Disabled Athletes Sports Association hosted its eighth annual Try Para Sport Day at MizzouRec on Saturday.

DASA is a St. Louis-based organization that encourages people with disabilities to participate in adaptive sports, recreational programs and fitness activities, according to the organization. The focus is on physical independence as well as improving self-esteem and mental strength.

In 2017, DASA expanded to include an office in Columbia to provide greater access.

The organization has served over 3,000 athletes since 1997 and offers a variety of program options throughout the year with special events and seasonal leagues that last approximately a month and a half.

It supports athletes diagnosed with cerebral palsy, spinal cord injuries, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, amputation, hearing loss, visual impairment and blindness.

Koda Inman-Ahlstrom is the Columbia branch’s program coordinator. Inman-Ahlstrom began volunteering with DASA in 2019 when he moved to Columbia to play for Mizzou’s wheelchair basketball team. He assumed the role of program coordinator in 2023.

He says it’s about expanding the organization’s reach to the wider community and helping children understand that there are opportunities locally.

“People from different backgrounds and different interests come together, but we are all brought together by the adaptive sports opportunities we provide to youth with disabilities in our community,” Inman-Ahlstrom said.

What gives him the most joy is seeing how much joy the athletes have.

“The parents definitely see it, the families definitely see it and the kids just have a blast,” Inman-Ahlstrom said.

Wheelchair basketball is a favorite sport of DASA athlete Bradley Arnold. The 10-year-old, who has spina bifida, said he has been playing wheelchair basketball since he was five years old.

“Baby steps, just baby steps,” Bradley said. “And I’m taking my time – that’s how I always figure it out.”

Saturday’s “Try a Para Sport” event included adaptive pickleball, wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball, bocce ball, adaptive cycling, power wheelchair soccer, adaptive climbing, swimming and a fitness obstacle course.

“All the sports here are hard, very hard,” Bradley said. “It definitely took me a long time to get used to it. But they make it fun and easy at the same time.”

The event was made possible through DASA’s partnership with MU Health Care and the Rusk Rehabilitation Center.

“The DASA community spends a lot of time recognizing the need for people with disabilities to be active and participate in sports and team activities,” said Vovanti Jones, a physician in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Missouri.

As a former soccer player who uses a power wheelchair, Jones knows the importance of the community that can be found through sports. She encourages people with disabilities to look for different sports in their community that they could try.

“You don’t have to be the best at it, but going out and building a community with your teammates adds a lot to the lifestyle,” Jones said.

DASA attracts people from across the state who drive hours to participate because it is the only program available in the area.

Amy Tuley and her son Josiah traveled from Holts Summit to Columbia to attend the event. They have been active with DASA for two years. Tuley said she is grateful for the opportunities and sense of community DASA has provided her son.

“For him … it’s an opportunity to gain independence and a little bit of community and knowing that he’s not the only person with a disability trying to play sports – he gains a lot of confidence,” Tuley said.

In a few weeks, DASA will be participating in the Paralympic Games in Paris with three athletes.