Alex Bustle: Opening doors to recreation for everyone

More than a decade ago, East Carolina University freshman Alex Bustle volunteered at the Special Olympics Spring Games, where he saw a woman’s face light up during a cornhole match.

She had severely limited mobility, he said, and was using a piece of equipment that enabled her to play by launching the bean bags at the press of a button.

“Her smile, I will not ever forget it,” Bustle said. “When she heard the bean bag hit the cornhole board, she would just have this big grin.”

That was the day Bustle knew he wanted to pursue a career in the field of adaptive recreation.

Adaptive recreation uses equipment modifications and assistive technology to accommodate those with physical, cognitive, developmental, or sensory disabilities, allowing them to participate in recreational sports and activities.

Bustle started college hoping to become a physical therapist. Requirements shifted as he was entering the program and he found a doctoral degree was now required.

“I had to figure out what I was going to do before getting a doctorate, sat in on a rec therapy seminar, and I was like, ‘I think I could do this,’” Bustle said. “I’ve always wanted to work with people and provide opportunities for individuals who wouldn’t have it otherwise.”

Now, Bustle works at the Valdese Recreation Department as the Aquatics and Fitness Supervisor, but his job extends well beyond the rec department’s pool and gym.

He uses his background in adaptive recreation to help create opportunities for people with disabilities who use the rec center.

Bustle also volunteers as a co-coordinator for the Burke County Special Olympics, which holds events like the Spring Games throughout the year.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

HAS ADAPTIVE RECREATION BROUGHT TO LIGHT THINGS YOU ONCE TOOK FOR GRANTED?Being exposed to a lot of different people and ability levels has really opened my eyes and made me grateful for what I am capable of doing, and then trying to figure out, ‘All right, how can we make this happen for other people?’

My kids will say, ‘I can’t do this’ and I’m like, ‘No, you are physically capable of doing this, you just choose not to.’ And, especially somebody that’s physically able to do something, I’m like, ‘No, you have no idea that there are people who really can’t.’

But that’s the thing, some people don’t have any idea that there are people out there that physically can’t do something. So, a lot of times, part of my job is the advocacy component.

There have been numerous times when we’re skiing with the Special Olympics, when people see someone in a bi-ski, they ask what it is. It’s really cool to be able to advocate and expose people to a life outside themselves.

And I heard a really cool quote the other day that the disabled population is the largest group you could become a part of at any point in time, but nobody wants to talk about that.

Like, at any point in time, any of us could have a stroke or walk across the street and get hit by a car or be in a car accident or a bike accident, and it could change your life completely.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU’RE ESPECIALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT RIGHT NOW?I think the component of inclusivity is the thing I’m most passionate about. It plays into my job, but then, I want my kids to also be inclusive. They have started really enjoying going to and participating in things that their peers who are differently-bodied and differently-abled participate in.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT LIVING IN BURKE COUNTY?We’ve lived here for 13 years and there’s this gracious hospitality that happens here. Everybody feels like a neighbor. I feel like I’ve never come across a stranger, and if I have, then I’m not a stranger for long.

WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO NEIGHBORS?We’ve been extended grace by Jesus, so we should extend grace. I don’t know how many times, when I was younger, people have extended opportunities for me to be able to learn and develop skills that then I’m able to extend to other people or change how I provide opportunities to other people. So that’s my biggest piece of advice: As we’re extended grace, we should also extend grace.