The Shirley Ryan AbilityLab (formerly the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago or RIC) has been named the #1 rehabilitation facility in the U.S. for the past 27 consecutive years, as ranked by US News & World Report. The hospital aims to Advance Human Ability - to be the leading source of science-driven breakthroughs in Human Ability. Derek Daniels manages the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab's Adaptive Sports Program, one of the hospital's many community-based Quality of Life Programs, which helps introduce youth and adults with a primary physical disability to the social and physical fitness outcomes of participating in competitive and recreational adaptive sports activities. The program features a great variety of year-round sports and recreation opportunities such as sled hockey, handcycling, wheelchair rugby and basketball, and golf. The program engages athletes of all skill levels, from those interested in learning a new sport to athletes wishing to hone their craft for elite-level competition in the Paralympic Games. The majority of participants join teams at the recreational level, and compete in local and regional competitions.

The spark that became today's Special Olympics movement of 5.5 Million athletes in 170 countries worldwide, started here in July of 1968 with the very first International Summer Games in Chicago, Il., USA. Five decades later, the movement returns to Chicago to launch the year-long global Special Olympics 50th Anniversary celebrations in July 2018. Special Olympics Illinois President & CEO, Dave Breen shares the history of one of the most transformative organizations on the globe, and the events planned to celebrate 50 years of acceptance and inclusion.