Fifteen years ago, 27-year old Patrick Byrne's life changed forever; he lost his right leg after being pinned by a car at a local construction site. Having never golfed prior to his accident, Byrne's dad, who was a scratch golfer, introduced him to the game in order to develop balance. Byrne's has never worn a prosthetic leg, so developing balance was very necessary. Soon, Byrnes' fell in love with the game and joined the National Amputee Golf Association and played in tournament. As he continued to develop his golf skill, Byrne's approached the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (hereinafter RIC) to develop a golf program so he can give back to the game that changed his life. In addition to golf, Byrnes' has become an exceptional athlete and enjoys skiing, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair softball, and sled hockey. In 2002, Byrne has a member of the gold medal winning U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey team in Salt Lake City, Utah. On April 11, Patrick Byrne turned 42 years old and has continued to give back to people less fortunate than he is. In his words, "I've gained more than I have lost."

1. How long have you been involved in adaptive golf or in instructing people with disabilities?

In 1992 I lost my leg in an accident and became involved in golf two years later. At that time, I began working with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago's (hereinafter RIC) golf program and have been the lead Program Director ever since.

2. How did you get into it?

As I said, I lost my leg in 1992 and my dad was a good golfer and he thought that I should begin playing so then I could improve my balance. I began playing and saw the impact the sport was having on me and I wanted to share that impact with other people.

3. With which disabilities are you most familiar?

The participants in my program are mainly individuals who have spinal cord injuries, amputees, and a lot of stroke patients. You would think that since I'm an amputee I would work primarily with amputees, but most of my participants are individuals who have suffered severe strokes. For these patients, golf is used as a primary source of physical therapy because it allows them to work on transferring weight from one side of their body to the other. With many of these patients, they have lost the majority of their ability to use one side of their body, so golf allows them to build up that strength again.

4. Do you have a secret instruction method for adaptive golf?

I wouldn't say that I have a secret instruction method, no. However, I am not a big supporter of over extending. From the first time I begin instruction, I have participants work on a quarter swing and really follow through the ball. I like to see participants keep the club below their waist and come through the ball until they have displayed skill doing that. Obviously it all depends on the player, but that is what I like to do.

5. What is your favorite instructor story about working with and individual with a disability?

I have worked with a patient named James Bates, who suffered a sever stroke a while back. As a result of the stroke James did not have the ability to use the right side of his body. He came out to the golf program having never played golf in the past, and he ended up being the perfect student. He listened, and persevered working both on the golf course and on the driving range. From his hard work he is now is hitting the ball accurate and with a lot of power for only using one hand.

6. What is your advice for instructors who have not worked with individuals with disabilities in the past?

In order to work with a program for individuals with disabilities, you must have a lot of patience. As an instructor, you need to have to realize that the individuals you are working with can't do the things that individuals without disabilities can do. You have to take extra time, teach in small increments, and need have the patience to truly assist. The biggest thing that I have learned from working with individuals with disabilities is that you have to listen to them, and get feedback from them about what they can and can not do because of their physical or mental limitations.

7. How do you recommend that they get certified and involved?

Any person who instructs at any level of golf will know what to do. A lot of times with instructors, PGA or otherwise, they do not have the patience, and you need to understand the individuals you will be instructing. I think you should volunteer for a program and become more involved so you can meet the participants and develop the program you would like to offer.

8. Do you offer clinics, private instructions, or continual lessons for individuals with disabilities?

As I said before, I have been working with the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago's golf program for a number of years. However, I have never been asked about doing a private lesson. I would be willing to do so if someone asked, but at this time nobody has asked for additional assistance outside of the program.