Lakeshore Foundation, a world-renowned leader in adaptive sports, recreation, and advocacy for people with physical disabilities and chronic health conditions, today proudly unveiled its new History Wall.
Homewood Mayor Jennifer Andress was on hand with members of the Homewood Chamber of Commerce to dedicate the permanent display and honor the history of the organization which has been a fixture in the community since it was founded as the Jefferson Tuberculosis Sanatorium in 1925.
“What you do is so important to us, our country, and the world,” Andress said.
The wall preserves a timeline beginning with the donation of the property in 1923 and follows the growth of the organization through WWII, the birth of adapted sports, the creation of the rehabilitation hospital and the transformation into the first designated Olympic and Paralympic Training Site. The graphic mural pays tribute to key leaders through the first century of the organization and ends with an optimistic view of the future.
“Lakeshore Foundation has always been about possibility — showing the world what people with disabilities can achieve when given the right opportunities and support,” said John D. Kemp, President and CEO of Lakeshore Foundation. “This dedication is both a celebration of our past and a powerful challenge to push the boundaries of excellence as we move into the next century.”
Athletes from more than 50 nations have trained at Lakeshore since it turned its focus to adapted sport in 1984. However, the organization is much more than a training site. Lakeshore currently serves nearly 4500 members comprised of seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities or chronic illnesses who visit the facility more than 13,000 times per month for a variety of services ranging from aquatics, fitness, nutrition and longevity, as well as athletic training for local and national teams. Recent membership figures show nearly 40% of members are Alabama veterans and their families.
“Our team worked very hard to honor our diverse history and preserve it through our 100 Years History Wall display,” Kemp said. “It’s important to recognize our members—almost 4500 of them—who take such an interest in improving their health and well-being. They are a diverse group ranging from people with disabilities, seniors, veterans, youth and elite athletes competing for gold medals at the highest levels. Lakeshore programs have something to offer for everyone, no matter what goal you are trying to reach.”
Lakeshore makes accessibility a priority and the History Wall is no exception. Braille versions of the timeline are available at the front desk and the wall features a QR code which links to a reader-accessible page on the organization’s website. The history wall is now permanently on display in the main lobby of the Lakeshore Foundation campus and is open to the public during regular business hours.
