USTA, Empower House host inclusive tennis day at Quad City Tennis Club

Empower House in Davenport, Iowa is a nonprofit serving individuals who have survived any type of brain injury in a clubhouse-type setting.

USTA Missouri Valley, USTA Midwest and Empower House collaborated during a July 18 event to educate Empower House members about activities and resources they have at their disposal for recovery.

“The event was a lot of fun—playing and educating not only our members—but myself on tennis and how it may be one of the most adaptive and accessible sports in the world,” said Tanner Peeler, brain injury survivor and Empower House board member.

In addition to playing tennis at Quad City Tennis Club in Moline, Illinois, participants also heard from author Eric Sarno, who wrote the book “Stroke Runner: My Story of Stroke, Survival, Recovery and Advocacy.”

Sarno was an elite amateur triathlete, race director, pharmaceutical sales representative and single father of two young daughters when he suffered a near-fatal stroke. In his memoir, Sarno described his journey to recovery, from relearning to read to being able to hug his children again.

Participants enjoyed a meal together after spending time rallying and doing some drills on the indoor tennis courts. Kara Heim, USTA Missouri Valley manager, regional community play for Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska, helped facilitate the event at Empower House.

“It was a great event,” Peeler said. “And I look forward to keeping the relationship with the USTA open and progressing in the future.”

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