About Us

Our Story

Our Start

Founded in 2024 by physical therapist Cody Birely, Prairieland Adaptive was created to expand access to adaptive sports, recreation, and fitness for individuals with physical disabilities and visual impairments in Central Illinois. Cody saw that many patients had limited options to stay active, connect socially, and continue progress after therapy ended. He has worked with individuals across the lifespan who wanted to try something new or return to activities they once loved but did not have the resources or access to do so. Drawing on his clinical expertise, community relationships, and a vision to bridge this gap, Cody set out to expand and develop local opportunities for adaptive sports, recreation, and fitness, where people could explore what is possible. After a year of planning and partnership-building, Prairieland Adaptive hosted its inaugural event — Adapt and Conquer Expo — with Bradley University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. This free event brought the community together to connect, learn, and try something new. At its heart, Prairieland Adaptive is about building community.

What’s Next

After the Expo, Prairieland Adaptive will launch seasonal and year-round programming, starting with a sustainable adaptive fitness program in late 2025/early 2026 and an adaptive skiing clinic in Winter 2026. Long term, the organization aims to expand access to adaptive programs, continue to build partnerships with local organizations to develop sustainable programming, and to become a hub in Central Illinois for adaptive sports, recreation, and fitness.

Get Involved

You can help make this vision a reality!

Volunteer at events or programs to support participants and operations
Partner with us as a sponsor or program collaborator to expand opportunities
Share your feedback through our needs assessment survey to guide future development
Spread the word by sharing our mission and connecting others to our work

Together, we can build a more accessible and inclusive community here in Central Illinois!

Board Members

Cody Birely

Founder, President

Cody grew up in the Quad Cities (outside of Davenport, IA) and graduated from St. Ambrose University with his Doctorate of Physical Therapy in 2020. He has been in the Peoria area for the last 3 years practicing in neurologic rehabilitation. Over the last 5-10 years he has volunteered in a variety of adaptive sports and recreation settings throughout the country. He is committed to expanding opportunities like these with Prairieland Adaptive so athletes of all ages and physical abilities can have the opportunity to discover the benefits of sports, recreation, and fitness adapted to their needs while building a community of accessibility and inclusivity right here in Central Illinois.

Meagan Newquist

Vice President, Treasurer

Meagan has been a physical therapist for 13 years and lived in Central Illinois for that time. She met Cody through work and loved his passion for helping others. When he started up Prairieland Adaptive to meet the needs for the community, she knew it was something that she wanted to be a part of. She lives in Peoria with her fiance and their 5 month old daughter.

Annie Kreiser

Secretary

Annie grew up in Central Illinois and graduated from St. Ambrose University with her Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2021. She has been practicing in the Peoria area for the last 4 years and currently works in the outpatient setting specifically with patients with neurological diagnoses. She has worked on the same neuro rehab team as Cody for two years. Annie has always wanted to be involved in an organization designed to help others and knew Prairieland Adaptive was something she wanted to be a part of right away.

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