From the outside, Don Bristow’s home might look similar to the many others in Bullard’s Pecan Valley subdivision.

But inside, Bristow’s place is filled with energy inspired by a special cause. It is also lit up with art that’s funding help for Haitian amputees.

Late on the night of Aug. 11, Dr. Fred Sorrells, president of the International Institute of SPORT (IIOS), along with two soccer professionals, a young soccer player, and a video producer met at artist and Web site designer Bristow’s home.

This newly formed soccer management team, with members from Burnet, San Antonio, Lubbock, Phoenix and Bullard, met for the first time to seek God for what was to follow, Bristow said.

The next morning, four of the men flew to Haiti to select 15 amputee soccer players to represent Haiti in the World Cup of Amputee Soccer in Crespo, Argentina, in October.

“We have already overcome many obstacles, including getting permission to compete from the World Cup 2010 Committee, receiving official recognition of the new Haiti Amputee Football Association from the government of Haiti, and the complication of securing passports and visas for the athletes — many of whom lost everything in the earthquake,” Bristow said.

Fellow East Texans Dr. Charles Gordon, IIOS spinal injury consultant, and Dr. Joe Glenn, IIOS sports science and rehabilitation, also volunteer, available to respond when the Haiti Amputee Soccer Team visits San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix and Argentina.

Tyler musician Scotty G has donated the use of his popular song “Shoom Away” for the first amputee soccer practice slideshow at www.iisport.org.

The IIOS helps to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities in less economically developed countries worldwide, and its focus has been on Haiti since a devastating January earthquake.

“The next challenge we face is raising the money to fund the tour,” said Bristow, who serves as chief operations officer for IIOS.

Bristow helps raise funds through the sale of art created by disabled artists and through the sale of his own art, called Chaotica.

A piece named “The Hope For Many” from Bristow’s Chaotica collection is on display at Gallery Main Street in Tyler.

He was also recently featured at a downtown Tyler ArtWalk.

The World Cup of Amputee Soccer is just a step towards a larger goal of introducing the sport of amputee soccer across the nation of Haiti as a recreational therapy, according to Bristow.

“Amputee soccer is perhaps the best sport that exists for amputees, and it helps to give them a purpose to live,” he said. “We are also hoping to build a recreational center in Portau Prince that will include arts and music as well as sport for the disabled.”

Bristow said expects the new Facebook page for the Haitian Amputee Soccer Team to be launched soon

Visit www.iisport.org.