Mackenzie Soldan

Mackenzie fue la gerente de marketing de Angel City Sports durante los últimos 3 años y es dos veces paralímpica: en tenis en silla de ruedas en Londres (2012) y en baloncesto en silla de ruedas en Río (2016). Además, ganó dos medallas en los Juegos Parapanamericanos de 2011 en tenis en silla de ruedas. Decir que es talentosa dentro y fuera de la cancha es quedarse corto.

When asked about the power of adaptive sports, Mackenzie shares:

“Sports are important because they don’t just happen on a court, field, or track; they impact every aspect of life, especially for a person with a disability. They serve as a social space where people don’t judge you or ask ‘what happened to you?’ before even asking your name. Sports provide a safe space to learn from each other, fostering confidence, discipline, and teamwork. They are a tool for developing physical strength and making daily activities easier in a world that is often inaccessible. Sports can also be a catalyst for education and employment opportunities, opening up the world for people with disabilities.”

Mackenzie was able to attend her first Angel City Games in 2021 and was amazed by the number of people in the community who had never seen or experienced an accessible sport.

“It’s incredible to witness those first moments when people realize they can play and compete.”

“One of my favorite moments was introducing wheelchair basketball to a little girl trying it for the first time. Her mom was with her, and they had never seen any adapted sports before. It reminded me of how I started when I was 7 and how my parents used to take me to play. I feel honored to be able to be part of that journey for others now.”

“I am fully committed to making adapted sports accessible to everyone, and that’s why ACS means so much to me. It’s my opportunity to be part of something that has truly had a positive impact on my life. Opening doors for people with disabilities to have sporting opportunities—that’s what really matters.”