By: Jilian Higgins
There are few things more powerful than helping someone achieve what once felt impossible. That’s the heart behind the partnership between Lake Centre for Rehab (LCR) and DreamPlex, a nonprofit serving individuals with disabilities in the Orlando area. This summer, that heart was on full display at DreamPlex’s Adaptive Waterski Event, a day that left volunteers, participants, and families alike inspired, emotional, and joy-filled!
A Mission in Motion
DreamPlex operates out of Clermont and Winter Park, Florida, offering physical, occupational, and speech therapy, along with a therapeutic school and adult day programs. Their recreational and adaptive sports programs bring a unique spark to the lives of individuals with both cognitive and physical disabilities. From traveling sports teams to one-of-a-kind events, DreamPlex works hard to create opportunities for inclusion, adventure, and confidence-building.
One of the most beloved events of the year is the Adaptive Waterski Day, where participants, many of whom use wheelchairs, experience the thrill of skimming across the lake in custom sit-skis, with trained volunteers guiding and supporting them every step of the way.
“We aim for about 30 participants each day, and usually give around 45 rides,” shared Abigail Mendo, who oversees DreamPlex’s adaptive sports and rec programs. “It’s amazing to watch someone experience that freedom and thrill – some for the first time in their lives.”
Where LCR Comes In
For the past two years, LCR clinicians have stepped up in a big way, volunteering at several DreamPlex events, including waterski days, lake days, and adaptive basketball tournaments. Their clinical expertise makes a critical difference in supporting participants safely in and out of the water.
“Having PTs on-site is a game changer,” said Mendo. “They know how the body works, they understand the disabilities, and they have the strength and training to safely help participants transition from wheelchairs into the skis.”
LCR’s Tracey Estok first learned about the event through her own experience volunteering at adaptive ski events across Florida. She reached out to DreamPlex and quickly mobilized her team. Since then, LCR has become a reliable volunteer force at multiple DreamPlex events.
“They know what to expect. They just show up and jump in,” said Mendo. “We don’t have to start from scratch each time, which is huge.”
The impact of the event was felt far beyond the shoreline.
Tracey shared one story of a young participant who was visibly nervous when placed in the sit-ski. “He was scared, but we got him launched. About 100 yards out, I saw his arms shoot up in the air and heard him yell with joy all the way across the lake. When he got back, I asked him, ‘Was it fun?’ He just kept saying, ‘Oh hell yeah!’”
Another memorable moment came when two blind veterans, complete strangers before the event, connected and began exchanging information about adaptive activities and shared experiences. “It was so powerful to watch them build a sense of camaraderie and community right there on the shore,” said Estok.
More Than Volunteering
For the LCR team, this wasn’t just another volunteer opportunity, it was something deeply personal. “The smiles on these kids’ faces draw you in,” Estok said. “It makes you want to do more.”
Even hesitant first-time volunteers often found themselves ankle-deep, then waist-deep, then fully immersed, literally and emotionally, in the day’s activities.
Mendo added, “The kids talk about it for weeks. It becomes one of their core memories.” Events like this capture the best of what community healthcare can look like: people using their professional skills to make life-changing memories for others, far beyond clinic walls.
“This is what it’s all about,” said Estok. “Helping people do something they never thought they could. If you’ve never volunteered at an event like this, you absolutely should. It will change you.”
