Global Sports Mentoring Program

Olympic Swimmer Uses Platform to Empower Others

Dirngulbai “UB” is an Olympic swimmer who represented Palau in Brazil in 2016 as well as a second-generation advocate for persons with disabilities. UB holds an associate’s degree in Pre- Nursing and a bachelor’s in Exercise Science from Lincoln College in Lincoln, Illinois. She recently entered the workforce as an Exercise Physiologist at the Belau National Hospital in the Rehabilitation Service Department, where she helps people recover from injury, chronic disease, and surgery. Her responsibilities include analyzing patients’ medical histories and working with them to determine the best possible exercise and fitness regimen for recovery.

In addition, she conducts athletic training programs for qualified athletes who will compete in the Special Olympics.

Although retired from competitive sports, UB remains active in the sports community as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Palau Olympians and Athletes Commission and as an event organizer for athletic programs promoting resilience among persons with disabilities. UB follows in the steps of her parents, who have led advocacy organizations for persons and children with disabilities for over twenty years, motivated in part by UB’s older sister, who was born with disabilities.

Dirngulbai’s mission is to create sports camps and clinics for persons with disabilities in Palau that will increase inclusivity and demonstrate that a disability does not define a person.

Mary Patstone, Boston, MA

Executive Director, Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers (SASC)

Mary Patstone is the Executive Director of Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers (SASC) which is part of the nationally renowned Spaulding Rehabilitation Network. Mary holds a BA in Political Science from Saint Michael’s College and an MA in Philanthropy and Development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Mary has spent almost the entirety of her career in the nonprofit sector nationally and internationally working for New Partners International Relief for Children based in Washington DC, and nearly 12 years with the American Red Cross.

In 2006, Mary joined the staff of Spaulding Cape Cod as the Vice President of Development. During her tenure at Spaulding Cape Cod, she was instrumental in forming Spaulding’s vibrant adaptive sports and recreation programs serving Cape Cod and Southeastern Massachusetts.

In 2011, Mary became the executive responsible for the creation of Spaulding Adaptive Sports Centers having three major centers of operation in Boston, on Cape Cod, and in Salem, MA. Under her tenure, SASC has seen the establishment of the Kelley Institute for Adaptive Sports Research, The McGraw Center for Adaptive Sports, and the Sears Adaptive Hockey Program. Together, these Centers and Programs function as a national model for high-quality programming, research, education and advocacy.

Olympic Swimmer Uses Platform to Empower Others

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