Our Participants
Our participants come from all over the Triangle and beyond. Participants in BounceBack Kids are children who have a life-challenging medical condition and range in age from 3-21. The participants, their siblings and parents/guardians join us in different activities ranging from basketball fitness, movies and craft activities.
We provide a safe and caring community with dedicated volunteers and staff to ensure the best possible experience for all involved.
Meet some of our participants:
To find out more information about BounceBack Kids, please email info@bouncebackkids.org.
Meet Shango
Shango joined BounceBack Kids in August 2008, after a referral from a Child Life Specialist at Duke University Medical Center. His mother received information explaining that BounceBack Kids offered free social, recreational and physical activities in a medically safe environment.
“It seemed to be a good opportunity for Shango to stay active and enjoy things while going through treatments,” said Cinawendela, his mother. For many like Shango’s family, BounceBack Kids provides a welcome respite from the hardships of time-consuming and costly medical treatments. “Bounce Back Kids has broken the monotony of hospital and clinic visits,” she said.
“We can just really get away and have fun, which has become a real need since Shango was diagnosed,” says his mom. BounceBack Kids offers activities such as group basketball practice and group fitness classes. BounceBack Kids participants can also attend college and professional sporting events, visit local museums, attend cooking classes, play drama games and do arts and crafts.
He enjoyed attending a Harlem Globetrotters game with other BounceBack Kids participants and had a great time. With the variety of activities offered, he always has something to look forward to. Each week, Shango asks his mom, “Do we have anything with BounceBack this week?”
BounceBack Kids emphasizes the participation of the entire family in its activities. Shango’s two sisters and mother also attend the events. “We just enjoy the time we have together as well as with the folks like Coach Mike,” says Cinawendela. “We all look forward to receiving the monthly calendars.”
The activities of BounceBack Kids have meant so much more to Shango’s family than simple opportunities for recreation. Cinawendela expressed, “BounceBack Kids has been a bright light in the midst of sickness and pain.”
Meet Kate
Kate, age 22, was one of the first four participants in our program, then known as Hoop Dreams Basketball Academy. BounceBack Kids is proud to have her as our first graduate of the program. When she joined, Kate was 14 years old and referred to herself as “a walking medical textbook.” “Pre Hoop Dreams, exercise was loathsome for me,” Kate said. Since participating in the program, Kate has improved her stamina and hand-eye coordination as well as her self-esteem.
“BounceBack Kids gives me a low-pressure, personalized, supportive environment in which I can exercise at my own pace, without having to worry about keeping up with the other participants or being graded according to my athletic ability,” said Kate.
Kate said her favorite aspect of the program was the pressure-free environment with peers who have experienced similar medical hurdles. She appreciated that coaches were patient, accommodating, and encouraging. Through BounceBack Kids, Kate has built meaningful relationships with other participants who have similar medical issues and can understand her experiences. In return, Kate has gladly guided younger participants.
Kate still occasionally drops by group basketball practices to say hello and help participants. “I help the little kids, not officially or anything, but just because,” said Kate. “I love BounceBack Kids and want to help in any way that I can.” Recently, Kate beautifully sang a rendition of “I Believe I Can Fly” at the UNC-Duke Student Basketball Marathon which benefits BounceBack Kids.
“For me, BounceBack Kids really is a dream come true!” says Kate.
Meet Jake
Jake’s endless repertoire of jokes has made him famous amongst the BounceBack Kids community. A newsletter simply is incomplete without the latest one-liner from Jake. His family joined BounceBack Kids in spring of 2005 when Jake was only three years old.
“We wanted Jake to be involved in sports that were tailored to his needs and abilities,” said Rachel, Jake’s mother. In the program, Jake has been able to develop fitness skills through playing basketball, soccer, Frisbee and other sports.
BounceBack Kids orients its activities around families. A participant’s sibling who does not have serious illnesses may still participate in all the activities. Jake’s older brother, Ben, and younger sister, Hannah, regularly attend BounceBack Kids’ events. “We were attracted to BounceBack Kids because it was something our three children could do together,” said Rachel. BounceBack Kids provides all activities at no cost to families, who often spend much of their resources on medical treatment for their children.
“It gives our family and others like us the chance to do fun things together by providing opportunities free of charge,” said Rachel. “So much of our income is spent on medical- related needs that there isn’t much extra for fun things. Medical treatments cost families financially and emotionally. “The volunteers treat our affected child and siblings as equals, which is wonderful because so much affects the siblings and so often they are overlooked.”
Volunteers spend time with each child throughout every event, trying to make sure each person feels included. “The volunteers are wonderful about giving each child individual time and attention that they might not necessarily get,” Rachel said.
Meet Kelly
Kelly is an energetic 12 year old who will be entering seventh grade this fall. While she has some hesitations 
Kelly has a bright attitude on life and doesn’t take it too seriously. This can be seen from her favorite hobby: dancing. She said that she could dance to just about anything; she can even dance without music.
She enjoys coming to BounceBack Kids events with her mother. Kelly’s favorite event so far was a picnic with BounceBack Kids. She said it was a great chance to spend time with her mom and relax.
When she’s not at BounceBack Kids events, Kelly enjoys playing with her friends and hanging out. She always enjoys reading. Currently, her favorite book is Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
Kelly is very excited about the summer and is looking forward to a special trip to Dollywood with her family. She said she will get to spend time with her cousin Mandy, age 11, who lives in Tennessee.
Since Kelly is so sociable, she enjoys coming to BounceBack Kids events. She said she always feels welcomed, and all the other participants are friendly. Kelly said she likes the volunteers because they are fun and helpful.
Kelly said, “When I come to events, I feel like I can be free from anything and just have fun.”
Meet Will
Ten-year-old Will is quite a busy young man, but he and his family often make time to attend BounceBack 
Will is finishing up the fifth grade and participates in a host of extracurricular activities. He immensely enjoys playing the violin, which is more of a passion rather than just a hobby. Will is a violinist in the Triangle Youth String Orchestra. A couple of favorites from his latest concert season included Autumn by Vivaldi and Toccatino by Hofeldt.
Will’s favorite sport is Basketball. As a self-professed UNC-Chapel Hill basketball fan, his dream BounceBack Kids’ event would be attending a UNC game with courtside seats. He also enjoys playing basketball with other BounceBack Kids participants. “My legs aren’t that good so I like sports that involve my hands. The only thing you do with your feet in Basketball is jumping,” Will said.
Will said he felt a sense of community with BounceBack Kids. He has made some friends through the program. He also likes the volunteers, because they always treat him with kindness and respect.
Will said he has enjoyed many of the BounceBack Kids events throughout the year. His favorite event thus far was attending the Hurricanes Game with his father. “It was cool to be in the VIP section with a great view,” Will said. He said it was a very special time to bond with his father and spend quality time together.
Overall, Will said attending BounceBack Kids events meant having fun.
If you’d like to support BounceBack Kids participants, please make a donation or become a volunteer.
For me, BounceBack Kids really is a dream come true!
-Participant
