For athletes with physical disabilities, access to adaptive sports often starts with opportunity. Whether that opportunity comes through specialized equipment, expert coaching, or a supportive community, each step can open the door to new possibilities. 

On June 28, CAF and Össur partnered to host a Running and Mobility Clinic at the University of Central Florida, bringing together athletes, families, coaches, volunteers, and prosthetic professionals for a morning dedicated to movement, confidence, and connection.  

The adaptive running clinic provided hands-on instruction for athletes at every stage of their journey while celebrating the life-changing impact of access to adaptive sports equipment and community support. 

Building Confidence Through Movement 

The clinic welcomed athletes from across Florida for personalized instruction led by adaptive sports professionals and experienced coaches who understand firsthand the importance of accessible movement. 

Throughout the morning, participants rotated through coaching stations focused on stretching, mobility, running mechanics, balance, and functional movement. Athletes received individualized feedback tailored to their goals and experience level before putting their new skills into practice during a fun obstacle course that concluded the event.  

Whether participants were taking their first steps with a running prosthesis or refining their technique after years of experience, every athlete had the opportunity to learn in a welcoming environment that emphasized progress over perfection. 

While specialized equipment plays an important role in adaptive sports, coaching is equally valuable. Learning proper movement patterns can improve efficiency, reduce the risk of injury, and help athletes gain the confidence needed to pursue new goals long after the clinic ends. 

The Power of the CAF and Össur Partnership 

For years, CAF and Össur have worked together to expand access to adaptive sports by helping individuals with physical disabilities receive the equipment, education, and support they need to live active lives. 

While sports prostheses can create life-changing opportunities, they are often not covered by traditional insurance plans, making them financially out of reach for many athletes. Through the CAF Grant Program and partnerships like Össur, athletes can access specialized equipment designed specifically for running and high-impact movement. 

These clinics extend that impact beyond the equipment itself by connecting athletes with experienced coaches, prosthetists, ambassadors, and peers who understand the unique challenges and rewards of adaptive sport. 

A Life-Changing Moment for Cody Smith 

One of the most memorable moments of the day came during the presentation of an Össur Flex Run sports prosthesis to CAF grant recipient Cody Smith of Ocala, Florida.  

Nine years ago, Cody lost his leg in an accident. While the injury changed his life, it never changed his determination to provide for his family or continue moving forward. 

In his grant application, Cody shared that every obstacle became another reason to push harder. He described his dream of being able to run with his children, improve his health, and show them that setbacks do not define a person’s future. 

Receiving an Össur Flex Run represents more than a new piece of equipment. It provides the opportunity to participate in activities many people take for granted while creating new memories with his family and pursuing an active lifestyle. 

With support from CAF, Össur, prosthetist Michael Sosa of Sky O&P, and the adaptive sports community, Cody took another important step toward achieving those goals.  

Learning From Leaders in Adaptive Running 

Participants also had the opportunity to learn from accomplished adaptive athletes and coaches, including Eric McElvenny, Jamie Brown, and Allyson Symsack, DPT, whose expertise helped athletes develop practical skills they can continue using beyond the clinic.  

Throughout the day, coaches emphasized that success looks different for every athlete. For some, success meant running farther than they had before. For others, it meant taking their first confident strides on a sports prosthesis or discovering new techniques that made movement feel more natural. 

The clinic fostered an environment where athletes encouraged one another, celebrated milestones together, and built lasting relationships rooted in a shared passion for movement. 

More Than a Clinic 

Every conversation between athletes, every coaching session, and every new skill learned contributes to something larger than a single event. Together, these experiences help build confidence, independence, and a stronger adaptive sports community. 

Events like these also demonstrate the power of collaboration. By bringing together nonprofit organizations, industry leaders, prosthetic professionals, volunteers, and athletes, CAF and Össur continue to remove barriers and expand access to life-changing opportunities through sport. 

Helping More Athletes Reach Their Goals 

Across the country, thousands of individuals with physical disabilities continue to pursue their athletic goals, but many still face financial barriers to obtaining adaptive sports equipment. 

Through the generosity of donors and partners like Össur, CAF helps athletes access the equipment, training, and resources they need to participate in the sports they love. 

Whether an athlete is preparing for their first run, returning to recreational activity, or training for competition, access to the right support can make all the difference. 

The Össur + CAF Running and Mobility Clinic in Orlando served as another reminder that when opportunity, innovation, and community come together, athletes are empowered to achieve more than they ever imagined.