One word comes up repeatedly when Rhonda Price talks about Lakeshore—family. The mom, grandmother and avid chocolate cake aficionado describes Lakeshore as her “second home,” and the members and staff as her “family.”
“This is an amazing place,” says Price, the membership accounting/scholarship coordinator who has greeted visitors and staff with a warm smile and kind words for the past five years.
Not a day goes by that Price isn’t struck by the strength, determination and dedication of her Lakeshore family, particularly the athletes. It has not only changed her outlook on physical activity, but on life.
What brought you to Lakeshore?
My daughter’s classmate was in a car accident. Being in a small community, we all rallied around this young boy and his family. Shortly after he was discharged from Spain Rehabilitation Center, he was introduced to Lakeshore Foundation’s programs. He tried wheelchair basketball and other adapted sports, which helped him remain active and healthy after acquiring his disability. I later saw a job opening at Lakeshore and applied. I was excited to be part of something awesome. 
What’s your favorite Lakeshore memory?
When George W. Bush came to visit in 2015! It was such an amazing event. All of Lakeshore came together to get ready for his arrival. The night of the event, we (Lakeshore staff) were here until about 2 a.m. getting the facility ready for members to return the next day. The hard work and preparation that went into planning that event, and having such an important person to come to Lakeshore is something I will never forget.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Family is very important to me, so I spend a lot of time with my family on the weekends. Sometimes I come to Lakeshore with my nine-year-old son to swim, play basketball or walk on the track. I live on a farm with my mother and brother and have six horses and a donkey, so I do a lot of things on the farm. I also like to garden, fish, golf and do craft projects. In my former life, I used to ride and show quarter horses. I was practically born on a horse and have been riding from the time I could first sit up! 
What is your biggest achievement to date – personal or professional?
My biggest achievement, other than having a wonderful husband and three awesome kids, would be finally receiving my bachelor’s degree in accounting in 2014. It was a venture to say the least and took many years to accomplish. With the support of my husband and kids I finally achieved my goal.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
My dad always told me to never give up on any dream you may have. “Can’t is not a word,” he’d say. “I don’t want you to say the word ‘can’t.’” That’s given me my drive and my ambition not to be defeated. He’s been gone for about 15 years, but to this day I can still hear him in the back of my head whenever I doubt myself.
Where is the best place you’ve traveled to and why?
I’ve had the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C., the mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina, the beaches in Alabama and Florida and Walt Disney World. However, my favorite place is Gulf Shores, Alabama. As a child, I spent a lot of my summers with my grandparents in Gulf Shores. They taught me how to fish, shrimp and throw a cast net. Now as an adult, I love being able to go back to Gulf Shores and relive these memories with my family.
If you had to perform at a Lakeshore talent show, what would you do?
I love to sing! I used to sing all the time at church. I love country music and can match Martina McBride any day!
