Paralympian Stacey Rice shares her remarkable transition from competing in the 1988 Paralympic Games for volleyball to finding a new passion in adaptive golf. After losing her leg to bone cancer at 16, Stacey’s athletic dreams seemed over—until a supportive community of amputee athletes changed her path. In this episode, Stacey talks about rediscovering competition, representation in adaptive sports, and what keeps her swinging for new goals on and off the course.

Key Topics:

• Overcoming fear and rediscovering athletic identity after amputation
• Transitioning from Paralympic volleyball to adaptive golf
• The power of peer encouragement in recovery and sport
• What drives her to compete in tournaments today

Born without her right hand, Sophia never saw disability as a barrier—just a chance to get creative. Inspired by her golf-loving dad, she turned weekend trips to the course into a lifelong passion. Sophia shares how sports built her confidence, the adaptations she’s made on the course, and her message to other young athletes redefining what’s possible in golf and beyond.

Key Topics:

• Growing up with limb difference and finding confidence through golf
• The influence of family in discovering adaptive sports
• Overcoming challenges with creativity and determination
• Inspiring the next generation of disabled athletes

When a model airplane accident in 2016 left Rob Walden without most of the fingers on his dominant hand, golf seemed like an impossible dream. But with grit, family support, and relentless practice, Rob not only rebuilt his swing—he became a scratch golfer again and a rising name in adaptive golf.

In this episode of The Adjustment Game, Rob shares how he pushed through pain to rediscover his game, the pivotal role his wife Julie and son Jake played in his recovery, and what it felt like to debut on the G4D Tour in Singapore. We also explore his volunteer work with First Tee of Phoenix and Special Olympics Arizona, and why he says every swing now has a deeper purpose.

• How Rob turned rehab into a pathway back to competitive golf
• The role of adaptive equipment and partnerships with companies like PING in his journey
• Why his family’s support was the difference-maker during recovery
• What it’s like to represent adaptive golfers on the global stage of the G4D Tour
• How Rob uses golf to mentor kids and athletes with disabilities through First Tee and Special Olympics
• His perspective on pain, purpose, and playing the game he loves

Rob Walden is a scratch adaptive golfer, husband, dad, and construction project manager. After losing most of his fingers in 2016, he rebuilt his golf swing and found new purpose as a mentor and competitor. He has represented the United States on the G4D Tour and volunteers with First Tee of Phoenix and Special Olympics Arizona.

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