Micah Figueroa never thought of himself as limited.
Born with a stroke that affected the right side of his body while still in the womb, Micah naturally favored his left hand and arm. Growing up, his family noticed, but it never stopped him from chasing his passion: baseball. Through years of practice, games, and training, Micah became a skilled pitcher. Still, he wanted more, chasing his dreams of playing baseball in college.
That’s when he connected with Adaptive Athlete Power Association (AAPA), a Seattle-based organization dedicated to helping athletes with disabilities reach their full potential. AAPA’s programs focus on sport-specific strength and conditioning, helping athletes build both skill and confidence.
In 2025, Tessera’s Community Support Grant made it possible for AAPA to provide direct support to athletes like Micah. The funding helped cover multiple athletes’ competition fees, travel costs for events, and specialized equipment such as wrestling singlets and lifting belts, all critical resources that can be prohibitively expensive for athletes with disabilities. For Micah, it meant access to the tools and training he needed to take his pitching to the next level. In 2025, he was named Defensive MVP while leading Heritage Academy to a state championship.
“It’s not just about the training,” Robert Sacoman, AAPA founder said. “Tessera’s grant allowed us to support our athletes in ways that truly expand their potential, giving them confidence, resources, and the freedom to pursue their goals without relying solely on donations.”
The impact of the grant reached beyond Micah.
Marius Gori came to AAPA with a severe case of scoliosis and a history in boxing and powerlifting. Tessera’s support helped AAPA provide the specialized strength and conditioning programming he needed, including equipment and access to competitions. In 2025, Marius finished first in his division at the Alki Beach Classic, proving that the right resources and guidance can unlock extraordinary potential. Marius set a goal of becoming a firefighter and AAPA will help him adjust his training to prepare him for the physical demands of his career goals.
Another AAPA athlete, Stacy Robinson, was born with a condition that caused severe arthritis flares in her elbows. As her condition progressed, she feared she would have to give up training altogether. With AAPA’s support, Stacy received adaptive equipment that allowed her to continue training and competing. That year, she claimed first place at the USA Powerlifting Phoenix Holiday Classic, setting new personal bests she once thought unattainable.
For Robert Sacoman, these success stories illustrate the difference that support can make. Living with multiple sclerosis himself, he believes that a disability is not a limitation; it can be a defining feature.
“I’ve always thought of a disability like Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing pottery with gold,” he said. “The cracks aren’t flaws to hide, they’re part of the story. They make the piece stronger and even more beautiful.”
Through Tessera’s Community Support Grant, AAPA was able to invest directly in its athletes, covering costs for equipment, event participation, and travel. The funding also allowed the organization to expand its programs, reaching more athletes within the Washington community and beyond.
Looking ahead to 2026, AAPA has ambitious plans: hosting an all-adaptive powerlifting competition in Seattle and expanding its merchandise to further support athletes. But for now, the focus remains on the people, the athletes who redefine strength, courage, and determination every day.
Tessera exists to create opportunity, empower individuals, and help people with disabilities and Veterans reach their potential. Stories like AAPA’s show how meaningful support can change lives. If your organization or program is working to make a difference for people with disabilities and Veterans in your community, we encourage you to apply for a Tessera Community Support Grant on our website. Together, we can help more people turn challenges into triumphs.