In this episode of The Adjustment Game, host Jennifer Price, sits down with Jill MacDonald, a mother, teacher, and cancer survivor from Nova Scotia, whose journey embodies resilience and determination.

Jill’s life changed in 2014 when both she and her husband Jeff were diagnosed with cancer within days of each other. After losing Jeff and undergoing her own amputation, Jill faced the difficult task of rebuilding her life while raising three children. With the encouragement of her kids, Jill found her way back to the golf course — and in the process, rediscovered her strength and confidence.

Jill shares how adaptive golf became a vital part of her recovery, the emotional moment she returned to the first tee, and why sports have played such a transformative role in her life. Today, she not only competes but also advocates for inclusion in the game, serving on the Nova Scotia Golf Association’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and the ParaGolf Canada Player Advisory Board.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Jill found strength after experiencing profound personal loss and amputation
• The role her children played in motivating her to return to golf
• Why golf became a turning point in her confidence and healing journey
• How sports like skiing and adaptive golf opened new doors for empowerment
• Jill’s mission to show others with disabilities that anything is possible

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about ParaGolf Canada: paragolfcanada.com
• Explore the Nova Scotia Golf Association’s EDI initiatives: nsga.ns.ca
• Watch more episodes of The Adjustment Game: Disability Media Network

In this episode of The Adjustment Game, host Jennifer Price sits down with Kenny Bontz, a four-time U.S. National Adaptive Golf Champion whose journey redefines resilience and purpose.

Diagnosed with diabetes at age 11, cancer at 19, and facing an amputation at 35, Kenny could have stepped away from sports altogether. Instead, he doubled down on golf, building a competitive career that has earned him titles around the world—and the respect of athletes coming up behind him.

Kenny shares how he reframed his challenges, why he refuses to ask “Why me?”, and how he’s paying it forward as a mentor in the adaptive golf community.

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or simply someone navigating life’s toughest challenges, Kenny’s mindset and competitive drive offer lessons in grit, leadership, and perspective.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Kenny reframed his story from setbacks to strength
• The mental shift that carried him through cancer, diabetes, and amputation
• Why he sees adaptive golf as both competition and community
• His biggest tournament wins—and the lessons behind them
• How he mentors younger athletes to step confidently into the game
• Why he says, “I was given strong shoulders for a reason.”

Featured Guest:

• Kenny Bontz – Four-time U.S. National Adaptive Golf Champion, mentor, and advocate for adaptive athletes

Host:

• Jennifer Price, Disability Media Network

Resources & Links:

• Watch the full Adjustment Game series on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/disabilitymedianetwork5105
• Subscribe for athlete stories delivered to your inbox

Follow Disability Media Network on:

• Instagram: @disabilitymedianetwork
• TikTok: @dimenetwork

#TheAdjustmentGame #AdaptiveGolf #DisabilityInclusion #AthleteStories #KennyBontz #DisabilityMediaNetwork

Natasha Stasiuk is the world’s top-ranked female adaptive golfer with an intellectual disability—but her journey to the top wasn’t easy. After discovering her autism at age 22, Natasha transformed golf into both her passion and her safe place. Since 2019, she has dominated adaptive golf, winning back-to-back Canadian Women’s Adaptive Championships and representing Canada internationally.

In this episode, Natasha shares how she overcame early struggles, the role her father plays as her caddie and supporter, and why golf is more than a game—it’s where she found her community and confidence.

• How Natasha used structure and resilience to rise to the top in six years
• The impact of her autism diagnosis on her personal and athletic journey
• Why family support has been essential to her success
• How international competition has shaped her as a person and athlete

Ryanne Jackson is a U.S. Adaptive Open champion who lives with scapuloperoneal muscular dystrophy. Diagnosed in college after years of unexplained pain and fatigue, Ryanne nearly quit golf—until she found a new purpose through adaptive competition. In 2023, she captured the U.S. Adaptive Open by five strokes, earning a spot on the G4D Tour.

In this episode of The Adjustment Game Series, Ryanne opens up about the mental toughness passed down from her father, the lessons of “smart practice,” and her journey toward enjoying golf for herself again.

• How Ryanne adapted her training for muscular dystrophy
• The turning point that kept her from quitting the game
• What it felt like to dominate the U.S. Adaptive Open
• The challenges of balancing competitive golf with health care work and family

Ben Belino’s journey is one of resilience and reinvention. Once a standout cross country runner in high school, his life took an unexpected turn after a car accident led to the amputation of his left leg—abruptly ending his running career. Refusing to let that be the end of his athletic story, Ben transitioned to wheelchair racing in track before finding a new passion in wheelchair basketball at Eastern Washington University. In this interview, he reflects on how his team embraced him from day one, the unique systems and strategies of the sport, and the intense training and drills that shape their game. He also opens up about the mental preparation, tactical planning, and lessons in maturity and time management that have shaped him both on and off the court.

Brendan, hailing from Southern California and now suiting up for Eastern Washington University, has always stood out for his speed and defensive instincts — traits his coach recognized right away. In this conversation, he dives into the role mobility and strength play in his game, the work it takes to maintain them, and the mindset that keeps him sharp on both ends of the court. Brendan also opens up about the bigger picture — how basketball is shaping his character, work ethic, and vision for life well beyond the hardwood.

Jarrett Fultz brings heart, energy, and perspective to this episode as he shares his experience navigating the game of golf with cerebral palsy. Now a coach at Southern Virginia University—his alma mater—Jarrett reflects on adapting his swing through countless grip adjustments and mental strategies to stay locked in under pressure.

For Jarrett, “pressure is a privilege,” a mindset that fuels both his game and his coaching. He emphasizes the value of external focus-- like visualizing a landing zone or targeting specific parts of the hole, to stay present and intentional with every swing. His guiding question: What would I tell my players right now?

Jarrett's deep love for the game, gratitude for the opportunity to keep competing, and belief that golf is for everyonemake his story one of resilience and inspiration. With another tournament in Florida on the horizon, he reminds us that nothing beats hard work—and if you truly want to be part of the game, golf will find a way to welcome you in.

• How Jarrett turned frustration into championship wins
• Mental strategies for overcoming coordination challenges
• His vision for becoming an inclusive teaching professional
• Why adaptive golf is both competitive and transformational

Yoga teacher, high school coach, and adaptive golfer Kelsey Koch has faced more challenges in a single year than most people face in a lifetime. Born with VACTERL syndrome and living with a leg amputation since infancy, Kelsey endured surgery, equipment loss, and setbacks in 2024—yet still competed at the U.S. Adaptive Open.

In this episode, Kelsey reflects on resilience, sobriety, and self-love. From playing barefoot in Crocs to receiving new custom clubs, her story is about rebuilding, redefining, and showing up authentically on and off the course.

• How Kelsey turned adversity into opportunity in 2024
• The role of yoga and self-love in her athletic journey
• Balancing coaching, competing, and recovery
• Why she believes every body and every story matters

Danny Wiseman didn’t start playing golf until his late twenties—but he’s already become one of the sport’s breakout stars. A survivor of Ewing Sarcoma who has endured 33 surgeries, Danny discovered adaptive golf through a friend and quickly embraced competition. Named Boom Athlete of the Year in 2023, he now competes nationally while balancing life as a husband and father.

In this episode, Danny shares how he trains with intention, what the adaptive golf community means to him, and how family keeps him grounded.

• Why Danny chose golf and how he rose so quickly in competition
• How living through cancer and surgeries shaped his approach to sport
• The importance of community and mutual support in adaptive golf
• His goals for the U.S. Adaptive Open and beyond