Melissa Clarke-Wharff, Founder, Courage League Sports - Program

Melissa Clarke-Warff, founder of the 3-year old Courage League Sports has made great strides in a very short time.  The program is based in a warehouse-gym on 124^th Street in Urbandale, plus has outreach programs throughout central Iowa.  Current weekend programs are in Knoxville, Creston, etc. 

 

They serve a wide range of kids and adults who have various special needs, both physical and mental/emotional.  The concept was initiated based on Melissa’s son, Jack, who suffered a stroke at age 8 and has had a long road to recovery.  He has gone through extensive medical and other challenges on his journey, but obviously, such rehabilitation has various defined time frames and extensive costs – all not necessarily based on the specific person’s individual needs/abilities. 

 

Courage league is based on getting people out and doing physical things to stretch their own abilities, just like any “normal” athlete, but with appropriate accommodations for their specific situations.  It supplements other rehab programs with open gym time, “league” sports (soccer, basketball & baseball), organized by age groups.  They have added classes and social/friendship opportunities which many of the attendees don’t find elsewhere.