Seventeen-year-old swimmer Grace Offman of North Muskegon enjoyed stunning success at a recent national competition for athletes with disabilities held in West Michigan, winning three gold medals. But she viewed The Hartford Nationals as more than a chance to win medals – it was an opportunity to prove she belonged.
“This is something I can do for myself in a community that understands my struggles,” says Offman, who lives with hereditary spastic paraplegia. “I’m thankful something like
The Hartford Nationals exists to help everyone feel welcome.”
Offman is one of hundreds of athletes with disabilities who competed earlier this month at The Hartford Nationals, the nation’s largest and longest-running adaptive sports championship. Grand Rapids hosted the event for the first time, marking only the second time it has taken place in Michigan. The competition highlights more than athletic excellence – it offers a model of inclusion, accessibility, and community support.
Held July 11-17, the event was organized by
Move United with help from local partners that included the
West Michigan Sports Commission and
Mary Free Bed Wheelchair and Adaptive Sports. Nearly 400 athletes who qualified through regional competitions took part in events such as swimming, track, boccia, archery, powerlifting, and paratriathlon.
“This national competition has helped many athletes advance to international levels, including the Paralympic Games,” says Move United CEO Glenn Merry. “It also gives youth and adults opportunities to experience sport in an inclusive environment.”
Expecting a return visit
Will Wilson, CEO of
Disability Network West Michigan, praises the event’s impact and its arrival in West Michigan. The competition is expected to return next year, and Wilson hopes more local athletes like Offman will participate.
“The Hartford Nationals welcomes athletes of all ages and abilities, inspiring individuals while shifting perspectives on disability and raising community awareness,” Wilson says.
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Move UnitedThe Hartford Nationals is expected to generate over $2 million and boost the community’s capacity for inclusive events.
Offman won the 100-yard freestyle, 50-yard backstroke, and 100-yard backstroke. Swimming began as a shared interest with a friend and grew into a vital part of her physical health and emotional well-being.
“Swimming is happiness for me,” she says. “Even when I feel drained, I try to get back in the pool. It helps me physically and emotionally, and I love my team.”
Her advice to others with disabilities considering sports: give it a try and speak up for what you need.
“It might be hard, but it’ll be worth it. I’ve made some of my best friends through swim, and I think I’d be pretty miserable without it.”
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Move United Paralympic gold medalist Matt Scott gifted a track chair to Divya Harkema, 12, of Grandville.
One of the week’s highlights was The Hartford Gifting Moment, hosted at Calvin University’s Gainey Athletic Complex. Paralympic gold medalist and wheelchair basketball player Matt Scott surprised four athletes with custom-fit adaptive sports equipment, which often is much more expensive than standard gear.
This year’s recipients include:
- Heather Champlin, 48, of Cedar Springs – boccia set
- Dominic Norris, 26, of Thurmont, Maryland – javelin and discus equipment
- Divya Harkema, 12, of Grandville – track chair
- Noelani Spicer, 13, of San Antonio – seated field throwing chair
Violet Hall, 17, of Bloomington, Indiana, received The Hartford Human Achievement Award, a peer-nominated honor recognizing her leadership in adaptive sports. She was awarded a $2,500 grant to support her training and travel.
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Move UnitedGold medalist Matt Scott gifted four athletes custom adaptive gear, including a boccia set for Heather Champlin, 48, of Cedar Springs.
“The Hartford Nationals is more than a competition—it’s a celebration of resilience, excellence, and community,” says Claire Burns, chief marketing and customer officer at The Hartford. “We’re proud to support efforts that make adaptive sports more accessible.”
Impacting the community
Venues across the region, including the Venema Aquatic Center, Mary Free Bed YMCA, Millennium Park, and MSA Woodland, hosted competitions and clinics that drew athletes, coaches, and fans from 34 states and the District of Columbia.
The week included recreational and instructional clinics in para pickleball, adaptive judo, and wheelchair softball. Paralympic champions Daniel Romanchuk, Susannah Scaroni, and Tatyana McFadden joined the event to encourage and guide younger athletes.
Other Paralympians took part in announcing some of the events, including five-time Paralympian and two-time medalist Tyler Merren of Greenville emceeing the Welcome Ceremony and Parade of Athletes, Paralympian Bobby Body announcing the para powerlifting competition, and Paralympic gold medalist and Lowell native Kate Brim emceeing the closing dinner celebration.
More than $2 million in local economic activity was expected from the influx of visitors, along with long-term gains in planning inclusive events.
“It’s an honor for the region and state to host The Hartford Nationals,” says Mike Guswiler, president of the West Michigan Sports Commission. “This shows what’s possible when cities invest in accessible spaces and include adaptive athletes as a core part of the sports community.”
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Move UnitedThis year’s Hartford Nationals saw the highest athlete participation to date.
The closing celebration was July 17 at MSA Woodland. Hundreds of volunteers helped make the event a success.
“This is what inclusion looks like,” Merry says. “When barriers come down, when we celebrate diverse abilities, and when athletes are supported through access and opportunity, everyone benefits.”
The multi-regional Disability Inclusion series is made possible through a partnership with Centers for Independent Living organizations across West Michigan.
Photos courtesy of Move United