The late Todd Anderson didn't let a wheelchair deter his passion for sports.
Anderson, who died three years ago, was instrumental in launching wheelchair sports in the Twin Cities and competed in those sports internationally.
"He didn't let anything stop him," said Leslie Pitt Schneider, a Twin Cities attorney who was, herself, an internationally ranked ski racer despite having had her left leg amputated when she was a child.
Anderson's friends want to pass his spirit to a new generation of young athletes. That's the motivation behind a free event in which kids will have a chance to try various adaptive sports, including rock climbing, hand cycling, hockey and golf.
Held in Anderson's memory, TODD (Taking Opportunities, Denying Disabilities) Field Day will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the Boy Scouts' center at Fort Snelling. The necessary adaptive equipment will be available for use, and instructors will be on hand.
The sponsors, a coalition of national and local organizations, also will provide lunch.
Minnesota has been a leader in adaptive sports, having started the Minnesota Adapted Athletic Association in 1992.
"We want kids to see all the different adaptive sports," Schneider said. "We want them to realize that there are many choices."
