Tennis opportunities provided to para-standing, wheelchair athletes in Omaha

Editor's Note: Volunteers are needed to assist with para-standing and wheelchair tennis efforts in Omaha. No experience is required. Volunteers are needed on Tuesdays from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Hanscom. Contact Jena Munson at jena.munson@commonspirit.org to get involved.

Para-standing tennis is an adaptive tennis offering for individuals with physical disabilities who play from a standing position without the use of a wheelchair. Depending on an individual’s diagnosis, he or she may have some balance challenges as well, and participants are classified as PST-1 through PST-4 signifying their varying physical and cognitive disabilities.

Jena Munson is a recreation therapist with CHI Health Immanuel Rehabilitation Institute and works with athletes in several adaptive sports, including para-standing tennis. Munson said many of the athletes she has worked with didn’t move to hit the tennis ball for several sessions.

However, once they demonstrated increased confidence by trusting their general standing balance while swinging a racquet, the athletes took one step. They then continued to advance as they demonstrated improved balance.

“A couple of those individuals that I have worked with are now able to move freely all around the court,” Munson said. “Outside of tennis it has been amazing to listen to them talk about how the program has helped them with so many other aspects of their life.”

Munson said examples of individuals who might play para-standing tennis are those with a below-knee or above-knee amputation, upper-extremity amputation, stroke, brain injury/tumor, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, congenital conditions or short stature. She said becoming active after an injury is important to prevent complications and promote recovery.

“Participating in recreation/sport activities can help with overall self-confidence, improve mental well-being and provide a social platform to connect with others and build meaningful relationships along with developing a sense of belonging and community,” she said.

The para-standing tennis program is coordinated in partnership with CHI Health Immanuel Rehabilitation Institute, Nebraska Adaptive Sports and the City of Omaha Parks & Recreation.

Munson said other states also offer programs for para-standing athletes, and she hopes some tournaments can be developed in the near future. Individuals interested in more information about Omaha para-standing tennis or wheelchair tennis can contact Munson at jena.munson@commonspirit.org.

Learn more about para-standing tennis by clicking here and for more information on adaptive tennis, click here.