Cheering Loud, Competing Hard: A Recap of the 2026 GLASA Great Lakes Games
A Mini-Paralympics Right Here in Our Backyard
Kari Treat
6/12/20263 min read
There's something that happens when you walk into an event like the GLASA Great Lakes Games presented by The Hartford and you just feel it - the energy, the noise, the kids warming up, the families cheering. I've been describing it as a mini-Paralympics, and honestly, I stand by that. This is the real deal.
I started out volunteering at the Games in 2022, began coaching competitive swimmers and instructing learn to swim kiddos in 2023 and this is now my daughter's second year competing in swim and first for track - and it was one of those weekends I'll be talking about for a long time.
Athletes, Community, and a Little Bit of Magic
The Great Lakes Games brought together adaptive athletes of all ages and abilities to compete in swimming, track, field events, adaptive tennis, boccia, pickleball, archery, and so much more. Watching athletes show up and compete - with their families cheering from the sidelines - is a reminder of exactly why we do what we do. These moments matter. These communities matter.
We also got to meet Paralympians Alyssa Gialamas (paraswimming) and Matt Scott (wheelchair basketball). I kept thinking - who knows, maybe some of the kids competing that day are future Paralympians themselves. The path has to start somewhere, and events like this are exactly where it begins.
The Swim Program - and Why I Love Talking About It
As a GLASA swim coach (yes, one of the many hats I wear), I may be a little biased - but swim has my whole heart. I coached long before Mackenzie was in our lives and finding the paraswimming community has helped me understand how bodies move in unique ways and there's no one size fits all in sport - how beautiful is that? Being part of the clinic and helping families learn about the program, the community it builds, and the path through U.S. Paraswimming classification was genuinely a highlight of the day. Watching families understand this pathway for the first time and see that possibility open up in front of them - that's everything.
And yes - you may have spotted us in the WGN flyover! (I'll just say: I had a hand in making one of those GLASA signs. 👀)
I Was Not Prepared for That CBS Interview
Full transparency - when CBS showed up for an on-camera interview, I was not ready. But we made it happen! I'm still working on my public speaking, but I'm proud we were able to represent the adaptive swim community on the news. Watch the CBS segment here.
Congratulations to Every Single Athlete
Whether you swam your first race, threw a personal best, or just showed up and competed - we are so proud of you. That's not a small thing. That's brave.
What's Next — GLASA, Nationals, and Beyond
We are so lucky to have a program like this in our community. For many of the athletes competing at the Great Lakes Games, this was more than just a local event - it was a qualifying event for The Hartford Nationals, the largest and longest-running national adaptive sports championship in the country. This year, Nationals heads back to Grand Rapids, Michigan (July 10–16), and we had a great group make the trip last year. We're looking forward to cheering everyone on again this summer! More info and registration here.
If you're in the Chicagoland area and want to get your young athlete involved, keep an eye on GLASA's calendar - they have weekly programs, community partnerships, and some really special events coming up. One Mackenzie is especially excited about: Camp Trek, a week-long camp where kids try different sports, make crafts, test out adaptive equipment, connect with other young people in the adaptive community, put on a talent show, and even head out for fishing and kayaking. You might even see some local sports professionals pop in!
Days like the Great Lakes Games remind me why showing up - in every sense of the word - is the whole point.
Is your adaptive athlete looking for a team? Visit glasa.org for information, schedule, coaches and more. Many of the programs are ready to bring them in, and work with other coaches that are supporting the athlete because we want them with their friends and encourage athletes to be part of more programs and teams, then work with the coaches for even support and grow the awesomeness that is the para athletic community. Interested?
Support
The Limb Difference Collective Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 33-3938100) based in Illinois. We are proud to support families in the limb difference community across Chicagoland and beyond by providing resources, support, and opportunities to connect. Every contribution—whether financial or in-kind—helps this grow, uplift our community, and make lasting change.
Together, we can make a difference for those just beginning their journey or wanting to get more involved. Thank you for being part of this adventure.
© 2026. All rights reserved. Managed by Limb Difference Collective Foundation