Caroline is a woman of few words—but the ones she shares say so much.
When asked what she liked most about her summer rowing experience, she smiled and said simply,
“I liked getting to hang out with the other kids.”
For Caroline, that small sentence carries big meaning.
Over the past few years, she has been part of EDD Adaptive Sports, where she’s been able to develop skills, confidence, and friendships at her own pace. “She really grew comfortable being part of a group,” her mom shares. “It’s not just about learning to row—it’s about feeling like she belongs.”
This summer, Caroline reached a new milestone: she “graduated” from the EDD Adaptive Sports program to participate independently in the OAR youth summer rowing camp, alongside her peers. This transition reflects not only improved rowing skills, but a deep sense of confidence and ease in new social settings.
“She loved being out on the water,” her mom says. “And she especially loved being ‘in the know’—learning the parts of the boat and understanding how rowing works.”
Caroline’s journey is a beautiful example of how adaptive sports can create pathways—not just to athletic growth, but to independence, inclusion, and joy.
