'Strokes for Spokes' at UNC Charlotte raises money for the adaptive sports, rehab programs

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Conner Stroud fell in love with the sport of tennis at an early age.

He was born with only one main leg bone for each leg, an extremely rare condition known as proximal focal femoral deficiency.

Stroud found refuge with a racket in his hand.

"You get to compete, but it's still always fun, win or lose,” Stroud said. “I started playing wheelchair when I was 13."

Stroud is now the fourth-best junior wheelchair tennis player in the world after recently winning his third gold medal as a member of Team USA at the Junior World Team Cup, which was one of his primary goals.

A 17-year-old from Forest City, North Carolina, Stroud took part in the sixth-annual “Strokes for Spokes” event at UNC Charlotte, which raises money for the adaptive sports and rehab program of Carolinas Healthcare System.

"Just to make a difference, and you know, doing charity events like this, this is really about including people,” Stroud said.

Bill Leonard and his wife, Helen, founded “Strokes for Spokes,” which includes able-bodied and wheelchair players.

Leonard said more than 160 people, between the ages of 11 and 80, participated.

“Strokes for Spokes” has raised more than $60,000 to date.

"It is about hope for all,” Leonard said. “And being able to play sports gives you hope."

Stroud said he hopes to one day be able to attend a professional tennis grand slam.

"It already took me this far and I know the sky's the limit,” Stroud said.

Cox Media Group