Lady's Strike Force Wheelchair Fund

Hello, my name is Lady Villegas and I play power soccer, a team sport similar to soccer. I was born with Muscular Dystrophy, a disease that weakens the muscles over time. My body has weakened to the point that I now depend on a ventilator and a power wheelchair to move around. I have always wanted to be part of a team, but my limited strength wouldn’t allow me to play any other adaptive sports. Now, I’m able to be part of a competitive team, practice, and participate in tournaments every month. This sport lets me focus on my capabilities and I’m more confident for it.

I learned about power soccer about two years ago and I haven’t stopped playing since. Power soccer was designed for power wheelchair users. Athletes have a footguard attached to their wheelchairs, which is used as “feet”, and with it maneuver a large soccer ball around the field (a basketball court). I can dribble the ball, pass it to my teammates, and score goals. It is so much fun to be out there playing. Nothing seems impossible out in the field, I just move my joystick and I'm able to do my best regardless of my strength and limitations.

Due to my town not having a league, I joined the team closest to me which is about three hours away from where I live. I go there for practices every other week and travel further away for tournaments every couple of weeks. The effort that my family and I make taking those trips is worth it because I can be part of a wonderful community, play a challenging sport, have fun, and do my best.

Since my first day of trying out the sport, I’ve wanted to dedicate my energy and time to learn how to play my best. I’m only missing one important thing to reach my highest level, professional equipment. I currently practice and play in tournaments with the only wheelchair I have, my everyday wheelchair, though it is not as agile as it’s necessary for this fast-paced sport.

The wheelchair built for power soccer is the Strike Force. Obtaining a Strike Force would help me immensely, to develop as an athlete and to continue to be a contribution to my team. Skill and the right equipment can help a power soccer athlete excel at the sport, and a Strike Force would help me achieve just that. This special wheelchair moves faster and easier, two very important qualities to have as a power soccer player. However, this wheelchair is very expensive. With the modifications I need to be able to play, it totals over eleventh thousand dollars which is something my family and I cannot afford.

Practicing this sport has given me an opportunity to get out there like I never thought possible. I greatly enjoy that I can be myself entirely when playing power soccer as my MD doesn’t affect my ability to participate. It’s been a blessing to have found this sport and it would mean so much to me to have this wheelchair and play the sport I love at my full potential.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If you would please donate to my fundraiser to help me purchase the Strike Force wheelchair, I would be very grateful. It is only through generous donations that I will be able to purchase the best equipment for the sport and further improve my skills. No contribution is too small and even a share is a huge contribution to spread the word. Thank you!

*You can learn more about the game and see the wheelchair in action by visiting Power Soccer USA & FIPFA World Cup