Winners of the 2024 AACPM-WFCPC LifeShots Photo Contest

Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 AACPDM-Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center LifeShots Photo Contest! Submitted photos were showcased at an exceptional gallery of work at the 78th AACPDM Annual Meeting in Quebec City in October 2024. Winners were selected by popular vote by the participants of the meeting, and announced at the conclusion of the meeting.

1st Place: Christopher Kotecki | Ball is Life

2nd Place: Michelle Koepke | Triplets Enjoying Time Together in the Garden

3rd Place: Virginia Kafer | Trail of BIG Adventure

First prize winner and father of Keaton, Christopher Kotecki shared the story behind the winning shot:

 “When we said “Ball Is Life” for the caption of this photo, we really meant it! Keaton is OBSESSED with all things basketball. He always asks to wear his San Antonio Spurs jersey, constantly requests that we watch NBA games on TV, and loves to play his basketball hoops — one on his door, one in his bathtub, and one in his ball pit!

The best part about his love for basketball is that it’s a huge motivating factor for his physical and occupational therapy work. He loves to stand in his stander while watching a game, and his excitement and enthusiasm really keeps his whole body engaged. Additionally, he loves to get in his gait trainer and shoot (or dunk!) on his basketball hoop connected to his bedroom door. You’ll hear him shouting things like “from downtown!” or “he’s on fire!” as he plays! We watched some wheelchair basketball during the Paralympics this year, so he’s also been enjoying playing basketball in his little indoor wheelchair we have for our apartment.

All that said, by FAR his favorite thing to do is go across the street to the basketball courts and play with “Daddy’s basketball” while in his gait trainer! He’s currently enjoying learning to dribble, and that’s the exact moment that we captured in this photo we submitted. We’re so proud of all the work he’s putting in, and it’s been a joy to see his love of basketball continue to grow. Meredith and I truly think this photo is a perfect representation of Keaton, and we were so honored to hear that we won!”

The AACPDM-WFCPC LifeShots photo contest asked entrants to submit photos of individuals affected by cerebral palsy and other childhood-onset disabilities in the midst of doing what they enjoy or completing a basic task or celebrating a major accomplishment. The Weinberg Family Cerebral Palsy Center is proud supporter of the contest. 

Congratulations to all entries and winners!