Energizing the body and mind through adaptive sports.
Cedric Livingston was born an athlete. Growing up in Jacksonville, he excelled in basketball, tennis, bowling, football - even playing defensive tackle for the then semi-pro football team, Jacksonville Sunbirds. So when a diabetic wound led to amputation of his foot at age 46, Cedric was not going to be content sitting on the sidelines.
Brooks therapists recognized his need, and introduced Cedric to wheelchair basketball. Brooks sponsors Team Brooks, a Division III wheelchair basketball team. Cedric began playing and in a few short months, became team president. "You have to stay active, get your cardio going. The more activity you do, the better your body works," Cedric says, knowing firsthand the value of sports in restoring the body and mind. "Sports also acts as a support system through teamwork and friendship."
Cedric has expanded from wheelchair basketball to all of the sports in the rapidly expanding Brooks Adaptive Sports Program. He's active in handcycling, tennis and even rugby. Now Cedric is introducing others to the Adaptive Sports Program, and helping coach them in the game. "If you have not played before, don't let that stop you. Come out and find something you like and try it out."
A year after his surgery, Cedric is getting back to the life he knows. "I'm losing weight, building muscle tone, and feeling good again." And he's finding new ways to excel.
Recently Cedric placed high against world-class athletes in the Jacksonville Classic cycling competition. For a born athlete, "It's a good feeling to compete again."