Luke Dimke

Hello everyone, my name is Luke Dimke and I have been playing an adaptive sport called sled hockey through an organization called Northeast passage for 6 or 7 years now. The first time I hopped into a sled, I fell in love with the sport. No hockey background. No adaptive sports background. That didn’t matter. I was just cruising around the ice having the time of my life. But to me, sled hockey is more than just a sport. It’s a drive. It’s a passion. And it’s where I grew my second family.  

For anyone that doesn’t know, I was born with spina bifida, or myelomeningocele which has set limitations on me physically. I can walk and run, but I limp and get fatigued quicker. I personally am a very competitive kid, and when I can’t compete at the level I want to because of something like spina bifida, it is frustrating. Being the last one picked in gym class. Being slower than everyone else. The constant stares. The doubts. Sled Hockey has given me a place to compete on a level playing field with people that have similar disabilities as me. Now, the only thing holding me back is myself. 

What makes the sled hockey community and the adaptive sports community so great is that we all have gone through struggles in our lives, yet everybody is so welcoming and friendly. I can remember during my first practice, at least three of my teammates came up to me and introduced themselves and got to know me. From there, they showed me how to stick handle and shoot the puck or how they skate, so I could learn from them. Whether you are 8 years old, or 50 years old, the sled hockey community welcomes you with open arms and is always willing to help everyone out to make sure they’re all having a great time. 

Like other sports, but especially in an adaptive sports, your teammates become your family. While I have played other able body sports like baseball, I never got that connection that I do in sled hockey. When you all grow together, you have the same struggles in everyday life, and there is no awkwardness between anybody, you form a little community amongst yourselves and you really gain this bonded relationship. This makes the competitive aspect of the sport even more fun because you are fighting with and for the people that you care about and that have had a lasting impact on you life. 

Sled hockey has also given me a drive and a chance to push myself. One of my goals for the future is to become a member of the U.S. men’s national development team, and then hopefully join the national team. Having this goal has given me the drive I needed to stay physically in shape and get stronger. Sled hockey (along with some family influence) has introduced me to weightlifting, which has become another one of my passions. I know that I am physically benefiting my body, while doing an activity I find to be extremely fun and mentally relaxing. I don’t think I would be where I am today physically, if it wasn’t for me setting those goals upon myself. 

I wouldn’t trade sled hockey for the world and I am so very thankful for NEP (northeast passage) for introducing me to the sport and helping me grow as a player and a person along the way. However, for both NEP and the players, adaptive sports costs can add up. Last year, it was estimated that the yearly program cost for NEP is $108,000 ($3,272 per athlete). This would cover things like travel, hotels, buying ice time, and equipment costs for the year. For any team, but especially for a nonprofit organization, that is a lot of money, and that is why the program relies on the donations that it’s players gather from fundraising. With having expensive personal participation costs, and with the athletes or their parents already having to pay for additional medical treatment and adaptive equipment, any money fundraised is even more important in ensuring that the athlete can play the sport that they love. 

I ask that if you can find time, please donate to my fundraising page that I will link down below. Any donation has a much higher impact than you may think. If you can or even can’t donate, please spread the word to family, friends, neighbors or anybody you think would be interested in showing support. Northeast Passage has done a lot for me and the other athletes, and any way that we can help them get recognition and support is much appreciated by both them and myself tremendously. These adaptive sports programs bring so much joy to people of all ages, and sometimes their financial needs are overlooked.  If you can donate, great, but if you can spread the word in any way, it is greatly appreciated. Thank you very much for taking the time to read this and happy holidays. 

Kind regards, 

Luke Dimke