Competing in sports is important to many young people in our area but can be difficult for the physically disabled. The opportunities for participation are fewer and the equipment is specialized and expensive. Tennis chairs, rugby chairs, racing chairs and hand cycles are some examples. One Chair At A Time is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for adolescents and young adults with physical disabilities by providing sports wheelchairs, education and opportunities for participation in adaptive sports.
My name is Joe Chris Rodriguez. I graduated from Sunray High School in 1996. During that time I competed in football, basketball and tennis. After I graduated I attended Amarillo College and West Texas A&M before joining the United States Air Force, where I was a jet engine mechanic on the AWACS plane. I served my country for 4 years until I suffered a gun shot wound leaving me paralyzed at the T7/T8 level. During my recovery I was in the hospital and inpatient rehab for 4 months. I retired from the Air Force and moved home where I continued outpatient rehab. During that time I learned how to live on my own again and moved to Amarillo.
I’ve always been involved in sports and didn’t want that to change just because I was in a wheelchair. I started power lifting in 2004 with the National Athlete Strength Association and at the Endeavor Games. I also competed in the National Veteran Wheelchair games in 2005 in power lifting and hand cycling. I’ve participated in wheelchair basketball camps at University of Arizona, and in 2008 I competed in my first sprint triathlon. Since then I’ve competed in another sprint triathlon, a Tough Mudder and most recently a Half Iron Man.
I’m excited to be able to use these experiences and the knowledge I’ve gained from my own participation to help young people achieve their own goals and reach their highest potential.
Chance is a 2004 graduate of Elk City High School in Elk City, Oklahoma. While at Elk City, Chance was a stand out tennis player and regional Champion his Junior and Senior year. After high school Chance spent 4 years in the United States Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician. In 2006 Chance was injured in a motor vehicle accident. Shortly after being injured Chance began playing wheelchair tennis.
Chance represented the United States Navy in the 2016 Department of Defense Warrior Games and represented the United States in the 2016 Invictus Games, Chance is member of the United States Para-bobsled team. In July of 2006 he became a certified wheelchair tennis coach with the Professional Tennis Registry and in November of 2006 became a certified tennis umpire by United States Tennis Association.
My name is Chris Barnes. I was born and raised in Amarillo. After graduating from Amarillo High School, I attended West Texas A&M where I earned a B.B.A. in General Business. I have worked at Happy State Bank for eight years. My current role is a Senior Credit Analyst. My wife Stacey and I have been married for five years. We have a two year old son named Collin, who is the joy of our lives. We enjoy traveling, getting together with friends, and watching movies.
I love anything sports related, but my favorite is football. I am an avid Dallas Cowboys fan, who hasn’t felt the joy of a Super Bowl win since I was 12 years old.
I first became familiar with One Chair at a Time playing in the inaugural Wheelchair Madness basketball tournament. I remember thinking what a great organization this was. When Joe Chris approached me about joining the board in 2017, I jumped at the chance. I currently serve as the Treasurer for OCAAT. My goal is to continue to help spread the message of One Chair, and to get more athletes in the community involved.
Hi! My name is Kelly Jones. I became a physical therapist after graduating from Texas Tech and have been blessed to work in several different capacities as a therapist. I am currently employed as a pediatric Physical Therapist for Epic Health Services in Amarillo. I absolutely love working with kids and trying to help them meet their goals and I love that One Chair is all about helping kids achieve success!
At home, I get the honor of being called “Mom” by three very special kids who keep my husband and I busy attending band, theater, or athletic events.
Lauren is an Amarillo native and proud graduate of Caprock High School where she was active in sports and played basketball. She pursued her education at West Texas A&M University where she received a B.S. Biology with a minor in Chemistry in 2010. Lauren was then able to fulfill her dream of becoming a Doctor of Optometry at the University of Houston College of Optometry in 2014. She is the first doctor of any kind in her family.
Throughout college Lauren volunteered with various organizations including United Way, Eveline River’s Christmas Project, Habitat for Humanity, Catholic Student Center (WTAMU & UH), the Food Bank, and Student Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (SVOSH).
She loves sports and particularly enjoys running in her spare time. She completed the 2013 Houston Aramco Half, as well as, the 2016 and 2017 Dallas BMW Half marathons. Lauren hopes to complete multiple half and full marathons throughout her life.
Lauren is currently an Optometrist at Advanced Eye Care and works in the Canyon and Hereford offices. She loves her job and thoroughly enjoys helping provide the best vision possible to her patients. Optometrists treat and co-manage many ocular conditions. A few of these include glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, red eyes, removing corneal foreign bodies, uveitis, and managing dry eye syndrome.
In May 2017, Lauren married Santiago Golderos. Together they enjoy being active including playing on a city league Kickball team and participate in various local 5ks. They also take their dog, Koa, on walks/runs regularly. Lauren is currently a member of the Canyon Rotary Club, volunteers with the Snack Pack program, provides vision screenings for the I Heart Canyon Festival, and is proud to be a board member of the One Chair at Time team. She is also on Amarillo Area Foundation's Catalyst Grant Review Board.
My name is Danny Galvan. I have been a licensed ATP (Assistive Technology Professional) since 2012 and have been employed with National Home Health Care since 1997. I had worked in most departments from cleaning rental equipment to delivering medical equipment and oxygen. In 2002, a position opened up in the rehab department as a repair technician. After months of hands on training, online courses, and traveling as far as St. Louis and Atlanta for training seminars, I became a certified technician. As I became more familiar with equipment from repairing it and as my relationships with my clients became more personal, I knew that I wanted to take it up another level. The next level was to become an ATP. Which consists of analyzing the special needs of consumers with disabilities and assist in the selection of the appropriate equipment to help improve their quality of life and help them become more independent. I took the courses and with many late, late nights of studying, support and encouragement of my wife, all my family and friends, and definitely all the prayers, I took the exam and passed!
Growing up in Hereford as a huge music lover and eventually, a musician, I often dreamed of becoming famous. Little did I know that God had other plans for me. My love for music influenced me to also becoming a DJ. And after discovering what my good friend Joe Chris was doing with One Chair At A Time, I knew deep down that I wanted to somehow be a part of it. Whether it was help with repairing and recommending sports equipment or providing my DJ services, I wanted to be a part of it. I get very excited and look forward to Wheelchair Madness every year. I love seeing the huge smiles on the faces of our athletes playing in the tournament. I love watching everyone else’s faces when they discover that it’s not as easy as they thought it would be to play basketball in a wheelchair. It’s amazing how our community comes together for something like this. My time with all these amazing athletes has been memorable and I can’t wait to see what awaits us down the next road of our journey.
My name is Kayla Landers. I was born and raised in Hereford, TX. I graduated from West Texas A&M University with a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and later from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center with a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy. I have worked in the healthcare field for 10 years, currently as an Occupational Therapist for Northwest Texas Healthcare System in inpatient rehab and acute care. I enjoy being outdoors and staying active, watching sports, arts and crafts, refinishing furniture, my labrador retriever, and enjoying the company of my family and friends. I’ve always had a passion for serving people and I look forward to using my background knowledge and past sporting experience to help area Paralympic athletes excel in their sport.
Hunter was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas. He attended Amarillo High School and received his BBA in Finance and Economics from West Texas A&M University. Hunter has worked for Happy State Bank and Trust Company since 2015. During his time at the bank he has worked as a Teller, Trust Operations Specialist, and is currently a Trust Advisor. He is a member of the Amarillo Area Estate Planning Council. Hunter volunteers his time and services to several charities in Amarillo.
Bryan has been a Physical Therapist Assistant for the last 15 years. He has worked in Aquatic Therapy and Sports Medicine. he has been employed at the Amarillo VA Outpatient Therapy Department since 2005. Bryan was a member of his high school and college rodeo team and has participated in many different sporting events. Most recent Bryan was a member of the VFW Mud Zombies which participated in the Tough Mudder race with Joe Chris. Bryan has also competed in multiple sprint triathlons and cycling events, even completing a Half ironman. He has assisted with youth sports for the last 22 years. Bryan looks forward to using his knowledge of sports to help improve awareness and participation of adaptive sports in the Panhandle area.
I received my Bachelor’s degree in biology through West Texas A&M in 2005 and graduated from Physical Therapy School at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center with a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree in 2009. I’ve worked as a physical therapist since then and became involved in adaptive sports in 2013 through my job. I’ve been involved with One Chair At A Time since the organization was founded. I’ve had the opportunity to get to know our athletes through coaching, competition and education. As an organization, it’s very important for us not only to provide sports opportunities but also to help our athletes make good decisions about their health, wellness
Craig has a long history of helping non-profits and children in Texas. He got his degree in electronics in 2003. He joined The American Business Club (AMBUCS®) the day he turned 18. This made him the youngest member in the nation. Craig then became a graduate instructor for the Dale Carnegie Training course® to enhance his public speaking abilities. He quickly served on multiple boards in the city including the High Plains Epilepsy Foundation among several other non profits before becoming the youngest President of AMBUCS in the Nation. He Also was one of the founding presidents of one of the first 501.c.3 for Equine Assisted Therapy Centers called Seven Star Therapeutic Riding Center®. Craig then worked as the front office manager/ Registrar of Premier High School® in Amarillo for almost a decade, a TEA registered charter school his wife started, that grew to help thousands of kids earn diplomas. When he decided he wanted a new carrier path he went to work at Five Dog Solutions who had helped him design a website for another non profit he founded called Jimbo's Specialized Equipment for Kids that helped disabled kids get medical equipment. Five Dog Solutions for Craig has been a perfect fit. Their values and beliefs have allowed Craig to take on project like One Chair at A time pro bono "because it's a good cause and the right thing to do!" Craig is excited to help One Chair At A Time help athletes pursue their goals and help the organization be strong.
