USTS Online Speaker Series welcomes Gianna Rojas, the “One Handed Lady Golfer”

by | Jan 10, 2021

When Gianna Rojas decided to take up golf to play with her husband 10 years ago, she found a lack of resources for disabled golfers. There was no one stop resource hub to find adaptive equipment, information, or for that matter any instructors that had taught individuals with disabilities before. Something was missing.  So, she set out to do something by becoming a Golf Concierge between the industry and golf enthusiasts with disabilities. She founded Adaptive Golfers in 2017.

USTS is pleased to welcome Gianna as the second presenter in our Online Speaker Series, where she will share her experience as a US Thalidomide survivor, and her journey to competitively play a game she loves! Join us on Saturday, January 30, 2021, 8am PST / 11am EST / 4pm UK, by clicking this link to join!

Gianna’s story

In 1962, Gianna was born with no fingers on her left hand. Her Father served in the Navy and as a child moved often like many military families do. She was always the new kid and one who was visibly different. She encountered many challenges with other children who were not so accepting during her childhood.  Gianna recalls: “They weren’t so nice to me. They have a term for it now; it’s called BULLYING.”

As a young girl growing up in the 1970s, she became a March of Dimes poster child for the state of Florida helping raise funds for the nonprofit to support research on healthy pregnancies and preventing birth defects. As a child with no notion of the game of golf, Gianna had the opportunity to meet and sit on the lap of the world-renowned golfer Arnold Palmer who was supporting the March of Dimes as they transitioned from their fight to eradicate polio to a campaign to prevent birth defects. 

Many years later, Gianna often found herself excluded from her husband’s group golf outings which eventually led her to take up the game as well. Today, she’s known as the “One-Handed Lady Golfer” and Founder of Adaptive Golfers, a nonprofit striving to expose people of all abilities to the sport.  Through their programs and advocacy efforts Gianna helps bring the individual’s mindset from questioning “Can I?” to “How Can I?”

On Jaunuary 30, 2021, join by clicking:


meet.google.com/ipx-vciz-ybx

Or join by phone:

(US) +1 501-897-6156 (PIN: 602636139)


John Marshall

Most of us participated in a guided tour of the US Capitol Building. Most impressive, in my opinion, was the Rotunda, the infamous domed circular room in the center of the Capitol. The historical paintings i.e., the Declaration of Independence along with the statues and busts of former presidents were impressive. BUT no one could resist looking up!

The conference was a jam-packed three days ending with a “roaming” dinner in the hotel. The term is used lightly, as it turns out, we have a party animal in our midst. Our fearless leader, JoJo Calora, had quite the set-up in his room. He had karaoke goin’ on. He also cranked up the tunes and blasted out heavy metal! Did you know there’s a song about thalidomide? It’s called “Prescribing Horror” by Exodus. You shouldn’t listen to it before you go to sleep. LOL! Fortunately, no neighbors complained, and fun was had by all. Although there was food, snacks, and drinks in three other rooms, people didn’t roam much. JoJo had the fun room! Can’t wait for next year!

Robert Gamble, JoJo and Elizabeth

 

We consider this conference successful! We are moving forward with our campaign and we can’t do it alone. We need YOUR help! Write your senators and representatives! Tell your friends what we have learned. One person could be the link we need to be heard. Be a part of our success story!

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