Wheelchair Spotlight Series:  Troy Conrad 

As Elizabeth Conrad pulled away from dropping off her two boys at their tennis lesson, something was different. Before this moment, the mother of three was unsure if her sons would ever play a sport together.

Conrad’s older son, Troy, had been diagnosed with spina bifida at birth. Now as a bright and vivacious 12-year-old, Troy throws himself into any and all sports he is able to, with the assistance of a sport wheelchair. When Conrad saw just how much tennis could do for both of her sons, she knew that this was something special.

“It was a wonderful feeling each time I dropped them off,” said Conrad. “We are a huge sports family, and I never thought they would find a sport to do together, which was heartbreaking.

“It ended up being an amazing bonding experience for them.”

Troy had his first taste of wheelchair tennis in the Conrads’ hometown of Lima, Ohio at a fundraiser several years ago and knew that tennis was going to be his newest obsession. Troy has always been in love with sports and has been an avid sled hockey player from the age of five.

Feeling the ease of the sports chair and learning how to maneuver himself around the court was a new sensation for Troy but one filled with excitement and possibility. Troy became one of the first recipients in the Lima program to receive a fully funded sports chair.

Seeing the confidence that was already growing within Troy, the Conrad family launched themselves into the world of tennis to provide more opportunities for Troy to improve.

For the past two years now, Troy has been attending camps at Hope College in Holland, Mich. and participated in the All Comers Camp, which takes place at Purdue University every year. With each new exposure to the sport, Troy has slowly developed his skills.

“As a parent, it’s rewarding to see him improve and gain confidence,” said Conrad. “He’s a quiet guy but doesn’t mind people watching him play tennis; it’s his way of communicating.”

Lynn Bender, chair of the USTA/Midwest Wheelchair Committee, first met Troy when he started his wheelchair tennis journey and says that the young man’s spirit and motivation will take him far and help encourage those around him.

“Each time I see him, his enthusiasm for the game grows and skills improve,” said Bender. “It has been great to see Troy grow and develop his game and be able to support him and the new Ohio programs to be able to send him to camps around the Midwest; I can’t wait to see his game keep going.”

This summer, Troy was invited to the Western & Southern Open to participate in a wheelchair tennis event and even had the chance to meet some of the pros. The opportunity to witness how far tennis can take him, no matter his ability, was something Troy will never forget.

“Tennis has taught Troy to be proud of his abilities,” said Conrad. “In a group lesson, he looks around and sees tennis players, nothing more.

“The fact that he is the only one playing in a chair does not even occur to him.”

Conrad assures if it were up to Troy, he would be on the court all hours of the day. The sport has not only allowed Troy to build his confidence but has also been a vehicle of change in his life. Through the sport, Troy has learned that he is capable of whatever he puts his mind to, no matter the demands.