09/03/2026
𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗧𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 Inside In
Meet Carolyn 💙
Whether it's caring for her leopard gecko & mud turtles, or dancing with her dance group Dance Without Limits, many of the activities that Carolyn Shelp participates in bring a smile to her face. The most recent activity Carolyn has joined that has made her smile is Dream Court tennis.
Carolyn, a 17-year-old high school senior living in Mobile, Alabama, joined the Dream Court family about a year ago, and since then, she has loved every second spent with us. She is currently working on improving her overhead serve, and her dream tennis goal is to play tennis with Dream Court for a very long time.
When asked what she loved the most about Dream Court, Carolyn happily answered, “I like going to all the practices (in Mobile) and traveling to Montgomery for the Unified Doubles Tournament.”
Her mother, Ronica Shelp, explains that Dream Court has provided Carolyn with a comfortable & fun environment where she can take the opportunity to make new relationships, travel to new places, and, of course, learn how to play tennis! “Dream Court has given Carolyn an activity to look forward to... Carolyn can’t wait to see her tennis friends and to get out on the court. Carolyn isn’t scared to go to the tournaments, either — even though she is a beginner tennis player. Carolyn has FUN and knows the more she participates at the different locations, she will continually meet new players and get to know them better.”
Outside of Dream Court, Carolyn enjoys competing in special Olympics, eating pizza at Mellow Mushroom, and learning about different animals. Her biggest dream for the future is to go to Disney world for the first time and meet Mickey Mouse.
When asked what the most important thing was that she wanted people to know about her, Carolyn responded, “I am really kind.” Carolyn explains that she spends a lot of time at the hospital due to her epilepsy, so she has gained patience and understanding that contribute to her passion for helping others. Whether she is on or off the tennis court, Carolyn always strives to treat people with kindness.
Carolyn has one piece of advice to give to anyone considering trying adaptive tennis for the first time: “It’s okay to be nervous — just try new things so you can see if you like it. Tennis is a lot of fun, and you will make friends.” Carolyn and her family encourage families to give Dream Court a try because it provides a welcoming, joyful environment that helps end the day with a smile just like Carolyn’s.
