Helping others through tough times

Six years ago, Alexander Puga, MS-MHC joined the Miami-Dade Police Department as a victim advocate. He wanted to work in law enforcement and found a good fit working with the Organized Crime Bureau. Puga helps victims of crime navigate the system and put their lives back together. His own experience has made him an incredible example to others.

A two-time cancer survivor, Alex understands how difficult situations can seem overwhelming. He believes that not giving up is key and proves that staying focused and positive moves mountains.

In 2018, Puga started to experience health issues that limited his mobility and required him to use a walker or walking sticks. This limited his ability to participate in regular sports, which is important to him. Not one to quit easily, he researched adaptive solutions to keep him active and exercising.

He tried several options, including wheelchair basketball. In 2021, he tried wheelchair tennis for the first time.

“Having played able-bodied tennis for 26 years, I knew I had the strokes and game to play. My only issue was learning how to maneuver the wheelchair and hold my racquet, while trying get to the ball to hit it back into play,” Alex said.

With a custom tennis wheelchair, Alex has played in seven USTA C Division wheelchair tennis tournaments and won two tournaments in both singles and doubles. At the Delray Beach Open, he played with his teammates alongside Mike Bryan, of the famous Bryan Brothers US Doubles Team. They have won 119 tournament titles, the most of any men's doubles team ever.

“We were able to get a few able-bodied patrons to try out wheelchair tennis,” Alex added proudly. “The event was a great way to show the public, that even though we have different disabilities, we can still participate in sport. We just do it a different way.”

“I look forward to participating in wheelchair tennis for many years to come. My disability has not stopped me from doing something I love,” Alex said. “If you put your mind to it, and work hard for it, there is nothing you cannot accomplish.”

Wheelchair tennis has inspired Alex to open a nonprofit organization to teach youth tennis and start a new wheelchair tennis program in the Miami area. With Called To Serve Tennis Academy, Inc. he plans on teaching able-bodied youth as well as both youth and adult wheelchair players. Our goal is to host a yearly tournament every fall.”

“Everyone has a choice in life,” Alex concludes. “Giving up will never be an option for me. I want to inspire others by example and make a difference for my community.”