I have to hand it to Govalle Nursing Center for coming in their first year and taking home the balloon volleyball trophy.  The round robin tournament consisted of 18 teams and lasted for over two hours.  Their residents never lost concentration of their goal – to show everyone that they are still a force to be reckoned with, regardless of their age.  Their spirit and drive was nothing less than amazing.  Congratulations to Govalle and all of our other homes who came to participate.

We cannot thank our sponsors and volunteers enough for helping make sure that this year’s games were better than the year before.  With all of the economic difficulties, our sponsors have continued to send the message that these games are as important to our community as they are to the residents who participate in them.  Thank you so much for all that you have given in support of our organization.

As we come away from these games we look forward to the next year we ask that you help keep the games alive all year long.  Take time to practice with someone in a nursing facility.  Start a spelling club, an arts & crafts club or use the talent that you were given and share it with those who will help you perfect it.

View a small selection of the photos taken at this year’s Games at our Media Gallery. Thanks to our great photographers from the School of Photojournalism at UT – Emily Kinsolving, Oscar Ricardo Silva and Daniela Trujillo.

Check back for more information on how you can purchase photos from the Games.

Grand Champion – Nursing Home Division
Gracy Woods II Nursing Center – Austin

Grand Champion – Assisted Living Division
Heatherwilde Assisted Living – Pflugerville

Runner-Up Grand Champion
Gracy Woods I Nursing Center – Austin

3rd Place Overall
South Congress Care & Rehabilitation – Austin

4th Place Overall
Heritage Park Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Center – Austin

5th Place Overall
Sagebrook Health Center – Cedar Park

Games For Life: A CASACA Event from Travis on Vimeo.

Travis Hughbanks is an architect and filmmaker in Austin, Texas who produced the Games for Life video in 2009 after attending the games at the University of Texas. The video was created to highlight and showcase the diverse abilities and inspiring spirits that exist in so many residents of Austin-area nursing homes and assisted living facilities.

Download a b/w print version of the map (requires Acrobat Reader)

KEY

RSC – Recreational Sports Center
MAG – Manor Garage (pay parking)
TG – Trinity Garage (pay parking)
70 & 99 – Pay parking lots. Do not park across two spaces or you will be towed.
80 – Pay parking lots.
41 – Pay parking for Van and Bus only.
U – alley between RSC and MNC is Van/Bus Unloading Area. Also on the left side of RSC at the corner of 20 1/2 street and San Jacinto.

Driving Directions below

DRIVING DIRECTIONS / PARKING INSTRUCTIONS

Going south on I35 take Exit 235A which says University of Texas/MLK & 15th.
Make a right at first light which is MLK Boulevard.
Take another right at Red River.
Take your first left at Robert Dedman Dr.
Pay parking is on your right – either in the open lot or continue on Robert Dedman to the Manor Garage.

If you are dropping off a participant in your car, take a left on E. 20 1/2 street and unload at the corner of E. 20 1/2 and San Jacinto. If you want to unload your van or bus, keep going a little further on Robert Dedman Dr. and take a left into the alley between the RSC and MNC. Look for volunteers holding the parking signs.

If you are driving a van or bus, you can park in Lot 41. Note: this is probably a 15 minute walk back to RSC.

Going North on I35 choose Exit 235A which says University of Texas/MLK & 15th.
Take a left at MLK Boulevard.
Take a right at Red River.
Take your first left at Robert Dedman Dr.
Pay parking is on your right – either in the open lot or continue on Robert Dedman to the Manor Garage

If you are dropping off a participant in your car, take a left on E. 20 1/2 street and unload at the corner of E. 20 1/2 and San Jacinto.

There is handicap parking at the facility. Please observe all signs and do not park facility vans or buses in these areas.
EMS parking will be in the alley, once all buses have unloaded.

PARKING FEES
The UT Garages have a set per hour charge, with a maximum $10 charge. The lots behind RSC and the Texas Swim Center charge a flat fee of $10.

PARKING VOLUNTEERS
We will have volunteers directing traffic to the pay parking lots and to the unloading areas. Please follow all instructions given as the area will be congested and we want to minimize your wait time.

METERS
All parking along San Jacinto through campus is permit only. There are meters on the other side of San Jacinto (across MLK) and also on Trinity. If you park here, just walk back along San Jacinto to RSC – it’s on the right, just past the School of Social Work (approx 8-10 minute walk).

As the March Games rapidly approach many residents are taking advantage of the cold weather by practicing their throwing technique, joining walking groups, squeezing in extra time with their therapists, and creating masterpieces when they have some down time.

When they’re not in training, they’re probably talking about the Games. They tell each other how amazing the feeling is just being there. They show off their medals. There is an incredible sense of pride. More stories circulate the closer we get to the Games. Veteran competitors show the rookies the ropes, reminding them of the importance of competing. They learn about sportsmanship, companionship and leadership. From choosing a mascot to designing the team banner, the residents work together to get the job done.

On the day of the Games, each resident has their own volunteer to cheer them on. In some cases entire families will be there to support their loved one. Imagine the grandfather as he relives the glory days when he was on the high school track team. He doesn’t care that he is in a wheelchair now, because so are the others, and he has been practicing. Sure his pace will be off from his high school record, but he just wants to finish.

When you’re at the Games, you won’t know the individual stories that brought each resident there, but when you see their faces as they cross the finish line, no story is needed. So come and be a part of the Games for Life on March 27 at the University of Texas Recreational Sports Center.

Thanks for your support.

A special thanks to some incredible people:

• Dr. Namkee Choi and the School of Social Work at the University of Texas for sponsoring our event.
• Melissa Bergeron and Jodi Rogers for chairing the Games Committee.
• The games committee, judges, officials and volunteers. We couldn’t have done it without you!

Grand Champion – Nursing Home Division

South Congress Nursing and Rehab – Austin

Grand Champion – Assisted Living Division

Heatherwilde Assisted Living – Pflugerville

Runner-Up Grand Champion

Gracy Woods II Nursing Center – Austin

3rd Place Overall

Duval Gardens Care Center – Austin

4th Place Overall

Marbridge Villa – Manchaca

5th Place Overall

Trinity Care Center – Round Rock