1^st Annual Bowler Bash – 2019

Our 1st Annual Amputee Bowler Bash

WHEN: Saturday, October 12, 2019

TIME: Registration/Check-in begins at 12pm

WHERE: Bowlero off Austell Rd.

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

THE INSPIRATION

Jonathan Griggs started his journey into the world of bowling in 1989, where he was instantly fell in love with the game and found himself spending the majority of his free time, , often 7 days a week, at the bowling alley. In 1994, after five years of crafting his skill, while becoming a staple in this local bowling community, he was approached by the youth director, who asked if he would take on the challenge of coaching a kids’ group. From the onset, Griggs drove home 3 core fundamentals to his students — enjoy yourself, have fun, and finally, have an open mind to learn and listen, or as he states it, “Become coachable.” He ultimately imparts on these kids to always try their best, whatever it is that they are doing.

In January of 2016, Griggs faced the devastating news that he was going to lose his left leg due to diabetes. Just when he thought he had things under control, in two short years, he had to lose his other leg to the same disease. It was then that he had to consider the idea of giving up bowling forever. He was forced to reevaluate bowling and his passion.

After running every scenario through his mind, he chose to listen to those very lessons he had been sharing with his students for years — to have an open mind, be the best you can be, and to see the game from a whole new perspective. Rather than feeling bad for himself or allowing his new reality to slow him down, he embraced the new challenge, remembering how the game felt in his early years, as an experiment and an adventure. He did this while always remaining positive and exemplified what it is to be a role model. He continued coaching kids, while simultaneously learning how to bowl for himself again. He became his own coach, reminding himself to stay open-minded and to find ways to overcome. His coaching became a big part of his recovery. The kids support for him and his love for them has taken us to where he is today. After 30 years of bowling and 25 years of volunteer coaching , Griggs retains the same passion and love for the sport as he did the first day he stepped into an alley. He has persevered through bilateral below knee amputations, while never losing his perspective and always remaining a positive role model to the entire bowling community.

He has partnered with VSA Prosthetics and his prosthetist, Eric Chen, CPO, in organizing the First Annual Amputee Bowler Bash, an event for all on Saturday, October 12, 12PM – 5PM at Bowlero Austell , especially the disabled community and those dealing with limb-loss, where adaptive equipment will be made available to show that the sport of bowling is available to everyone. All proceeds will be donated to the Orthotic and Prosthetic Activities Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit who will partner with our community in providing free annual introductory adaptive sports clinics.

HOW DO I SUPPORT THIS INCREDIBLE CAUSE?

You can join us in helping the disabled community of Atlanta get back to an active lifestyle by choosing one or more of the many options:

• SPREAD THE WORD!  The more people that know about this worthy cause, the more support we can gain and the more free activities we can provide!
• DONATIONS/SPONSORSHIP.  These tax-deductible gifts help drive us towards our goal of raising $7500 to host TWO fun-filled activities each year.
• WHEN’S THE LAST TIME YOU WENT BOWLING?? Attend and participate in our events! Bring friends & family members to have fun, participate in the raffle drawings to win great prizes.  This year up for grabs is a big screen tv, Nintendo switch, Echo Show, or iPad!

For more details and to register for the event, visit our Eventbrite webpage here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1st-annual-amputee-bowler-bash-tickets-66990074115