Casa Colina's Olympic/Paralympic Celebration: A Triumph of Spirit and Community

The excitement of the 2024 Summer Olympics reverberated worldwide, and Pomona was no exception. Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare hosted an extraordinary event on July 26, coinciding with the opening ceremony. In the true spirit of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Casa Colina Transitional Living Center (TLC) and Outdoor Adventures and Wheelchair Sports program joined forces to create a day filled with camaraderie, competition, and education.

The day's festivities began in Casa Colina’s central courtyard with a poignant opening ceremony, featuring TLC's choir, The Treble Makers, who sang the U.S. and Mexican national anthems. Over 50 TLC participants were grouped into six competing teams. Each proudly displayed flags and banners they had created as part of their therapy, reflecting their creativity and teamwork. A symbolic torch relay—with a genuine Olympic torch originally carried for the 1996 Atlanta games by Lisa Hilborn, Director of Outdoor Adventures and Recreational Therapy—further ignited the Olympic spirit.

In the TLC facility and adjacent parking lot, teams competed fiercely in wheelchair rugby, para table tennis, sitting volleyball, and more, showcasing their unique abilities and team spirit. The games were adapted to ensure safety and success, enabling Casa Colina to meet participants where they are in the continuum of recovery.

Beyond the competition, the event aimed to educate Casa Colina staff and participants about the Olympics and Paralympics. Ambulatory attendees were encouraged to participate in the games from a different perspective by trying their hand at wheelchair sports. This unique opportunity aimed to foster respect and inclusivity, serving as a reminder that disability does not define an individual, but rather is simply an aspect of one’s individuality.

The day concluded with a closing ceremony where gold, silver, and bronze medals were awarded to all members of the top three teams.

Casa Colina's Olympic and Paralympic celebration was more than just a day of games. It demonstrated the power of sport and recreation to empower and unite individuals of all abilities.

Below are a few additional facts about the Olympics and Paralympics.

• The Olympic motto is Citius, Altius, Fortius, meaning “Swifter, Higher, Stronger.”
• The Paralympic motto is “Spirit in Motion.”

• The Paralympic flag displays three colored symbols inspired from Agitos (from the Latin meaning “I move”), encircling a central point suggesting motion. They symbolize the role of the Paralympic movement in bringing athletes together from all corners of the world to compete.
• The Paris 2024 slogan is “Games Wide Open” and carries a spirit of open-mindedness, with the aim of reaching the widest audience.