Rutherford Weekly

Conner Stroud of Rutherfordton was one of 34 young wheelchair athletes who recently participated in the 2015 USTA/ITF International Junior Wheelchair Tennis Camp in Mission Viejo, Calif. The camp took place at Marguerite Tennis Pavilion and was for youth who live with a permanent disabling condition and use a wheelchair when playing sports, including tennis. Stroud, 15, is ranked the number one Junior Wheelchair Tennis Player in the U.S. He was born with Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency (PFFD) in both legs. PFFD is a condition where the end of the bone closest to the hip is too short, which left Stroud's feet attached to his legs without ankles, femurs or knees. Stroud had surgery to have his legs amputated when he was two. Following surgery at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Greenville, S.C., Stroud was fitted with prosthetic legs and a very short pair of legs known as stubbies, which protected the ends of his legs around the house. Stroud chose to use the stubbies all the time. Stroud learned to play tennis from his father, who along with his mother owned Peach Tree Racquet Club. "I liked the competition part of tennis. It's an individual sport and rely on yourself and not other people," Stroud explained. As he grew older, his competitors got taller and faster, and so he began playing wheelchair tennis. Wheelchair tennis involves a special wheelchair with tilted wheels to make you go faster, Stroud explained. At first it was hard, because not only had to be able to use my racquet but also push the chair around the court. But, once I got used to that, it came pretty easy." This year was the third year Stroud attended camp, which included players from eight different states and six different countries. Camp provided athletes an opportunity to develop their tennis skills and also get to know one another, which Stroud most enjoyed. "You get to play and then talk with everyone, who is just like you," he said. "You don't always get to see every single person with a disability. It's nice to talk and make friends." In addition to camp, Stroud has attended professional tournaments and had an opportunity to hit with players including Andy Roddick and John Isner. His dream is to play in the U.S. Open in New York. For now, though, the high school sophomore will continue to play for Thomas Jefferson Classical Academy's tennis team, swim, travel, listen to music and hang out with his friends. OUR 23 rd YEAR • ISSUE NO. 34 • AUGUST 27, 2015 RutherfordWeekly.com 828-248-1408 FREE FREE YOUR GOOD NEWS COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER YOUR GOOD NEWS COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER Ticket Prices: Thursday $ 15 • Friday & Saturday Passes $ 25 Full Weekend, Including Camping Full Weekend, Including Camping $ 70 • Friday & Saturday Camping Included 70 • Friday & Saturday Camping Included $ $ 55 55 At Elliott Family Farms • Polkville, NC At Elliott Family Farms • Polkville, NC www.elliottfamilyfarms.com www.clearmountainviewmusicfestival.com www.elliottfamilyfarms.com www.clearmountainviewmusicfestival.com CLEAR MOUNTAIN VIEW IV M USIC F ESTIVAL AUGUST 27 AUGUST 27 TH TH - 29 - 29 TH TH Providing basic needs to those in the community she loves came to Christi Wenger in a dream. Wenger, a native of Cliffside, created BASICS - Brothers and Sisters in Christ Serving. The ministry, which is based in Cliffside across from Broad River Area Medical, serves the communities of Cliffside, Henrietta, Avondale and Caroleen. Those communities once thrived, she said, and were hit particularly hard when the textile plants that supported them shut down. Wenger shared her dream with her parents, Barry and Judy Yelton, who contacted Janice and Marc Swing about utilizing a building they own. The Swings were on board with the ministry as well, and BASICS held a yard sale that raised $2,000. With that money the ministry started a food pantry. From there, the service to the community snowballed with 99 families being served. "There have been people who have come for help that I know," Wenger said. "I think it really shows that anyone can fall on hard times." Knowing there are children and adults in the area who are going without their basic needs being met - food and clothing - is heartbreaking to Wenger. "No one should be hungry, especially not in my hometown," she said. The ministry is about more than just giving away food and clothing, Wenger added. Each family who comes for assistance receives a Bible as well. "We really want to form relationships," she said. During the summer months the ministry hosted a weekly Bible Club for children. "Our theme was 'Super Heroes of the Bible,' and we included a snack - it was like a mini vacation Bible school," Wenger said. BASICS Thrift Store opened earlier this month with household, clothing and other items. Wenger, who is a self-professed lover of thrift stores and yard sales, said the store fits in with revitalizing the community. All aspects of the ministry are volunteer led. If you would like to support BASICS Ministry, donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 207, Cliffside, NC 28024. Donations are tax deductible. Food giveaways are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3 to 6 p.m., and more information on hours can be found by following Basics Christian Ministries Inc. on Facebook. Basic needs being met Basic needs being met through new ministry P idi b i d h i h "Th h b l h h f Young tennis star Young tennis star dreams of playing in dreams of playing in the U.S. Open the U.S. Open Article By: Allison Flynn • allison@rutherfordweekly.com Article By: Allison Flynn • allison@rutherfordweekly.com

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