Tara Chisholm is the program coordinator of Medicine Hat’s adaptive sport organization. (Courtesy Tara Chisholm)

By Eli J. Ridder | @EliRidder

‘She changed my life’: Medicine Hat adaptive sports community rallies behind beloved leader as she tackles cancer

Feb 25, 2024 | 12:40 PM

The Medicine Hat adaptive sports community is rallying behind their beloved leader.

Tara Chisholm, who founded Medicine Hat Adaptive Sport and Recreation in 2014, has started intensive treatment following a Lymphoma diagnosis in early February.

A GoFundMe fundraiser was launched to help Chisholm tackle future medical expenses of travel, food, and accommodation and, as of Friday, has nearly hit its fundraising goal of $15,000.

The adaptive sports organization, run by Chisholm and her husband Derek Whitson, has touched many lives.

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After Jason Ukalchuk was injured in a motor vehicle accident in 2015, Chisholm’s program offered a way for him to find connection again in sports.

“After my accident, I really didn’t feel I fit in anymore and they show you that you do,” Ukalchuk said.

“She has changed my life, that’s for sure,” he added.

For Rebecca Hintz, the adaptive sport league presented an opportunity for her youngest son Reid to participate and make connections.

“We didn’t realize until Tara actually reached out that our youngest could even play any of the adaptive sports leagues, we thought his disability was too big,” Hintz said.

Instead, Chisholm reassured Hintz that her son could play and got him involved with sledge hockey.

Reid required some special equipment to be able to get on the ice as he wasn’t able to use regular hockey gloves.

Chisholm helped out by taking the time to hand-stitch custom mitts with extra straps, Hintz said.

Going above and beyond like that is not uncommon for Chisholm, according to the many adaptive athletes that spoke to CHAT News.

“Her and Derek together have made us into such an amazing family,” Hintz said.

“There is no sports club that can compare to the Medicine Hat adaptive sports league, that we are family first and competitors second.”

Devin Harnack, middle, is one of the sledge hockey players part of th adaptive sports program. (Courtesy)

Devin Harnack, who has played hockey his whole life, was hit with a spinal infection in 2015. He was able to continue playing his favourite sport after joining the adaptive sledge hockey program.

“My life changed, I got to play the sport again,” Harnack said.

Chisholm’s organization even produced an athlete who represented Canada at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2021 and will is headed to the Paris Games this summer.

“I met Tara in 2014 and my life was instantly changed for the better,” Sarah Mickey, who throws discus and shotput, said.

“She helped me embrace the positives of becoming a paraplegic and introduced me to so many adaptive sports and activities. It’s because of her that I can proudly say I am now a Paralympian.”

Mickey added that now the time when the community is giving back to someone who has given so much of her time and support to others.

“As a community, it is our chance to give back to her and show the same love and support she deserves.”