66 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2017 GoodLifeFamilyMag.com SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2017 67 If you are the parent of a child with special needs, how can you ensure your son or daughter has access to those same benefits? How do you identify what sport they can participate in and experience success? Should your child be on a team for kids with special needs or with normally-developing peers? Luckily, in North Texas, there are a lot of options. Special Olympics is of course the largest and arguably the most recognizable organization for special needs athletes worldwide. Founded by Sargent and Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Special Olympics will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2018. With 4.9 million athletes with intellectual disabilities from 172 countries around the globe, their message of inclusion and celebration of the accomplishments of all individuals has impacted society’s view of the special needs population. Laura Roach’s nephew Jared has participated in Special Olympics basketball locally for over four years. She says, “I love watching him play basketball because the players are so sweet to each other and so supportive regardless of which team they’re on. I also love the fact that it keeps Jared physically active.” Being part of a group and supporting your teammates is especially important for these kids—for all kids really. Honorary drum major Anthony Tatum has really benefited from the support and acceptance of the other members of the Clark High School band. Mom Jennifer says, “Music is his life. He just feels it. He’s unable to read or write, but he can remember all the lyrics to a song.” She was hoping he could find an extracurricular interest at school that involved music, and she can’t say enough about how accommodating the band directors have been and how much his peers let him know he’s one of them. When the marching band performs, you’ll see Anthony at every game standing on the ground right by the other student drum majors on their platforms. Jennifer says, “It’s been an awesome social and learning experience for Anthony.” He rides the bus to the games with the other students, participates in every competition, and has learned there are responsibilities when you’re part of a group. CarolynWattshasseenthatsamesenseofcamaraderiewatching her 14-year-old son Matthew playing Angel League t-ball/softball through the Kiwanis Club in Allen. This organization for kids, ages 5 to 17, pairs each athlete with one or two high school “buddies” with the goal of giving the kids the opportunity to pitch, hit, run and hear the applause of the crowd without keeping score. EMBRACE! E M B R A C E ! m'brās/ verb e Embrace! was created to provide information and human interest articles to help families with differently-abled children. Whether your child has ADHD, Autism, Down syndrome or any other special need that qualifies him or her for programs in public schools, we will be researching and covering important, educational and inspiring content that addresses a wide variety of issues. Getting in on the Action Sara and Jacuilyn Maria and Sarah Alec and Maddie Coleman and David Former Kiwanis president, Russell Waite, says “Those of us who manage the program have watched kids grow over the years from not talking to offering a high five when they show up to play. They start afraid of everything and grow into kids who take a big swing at the proverbial (and real) ball.” Carolyn wanted Matthew to have camaraderie with other kids, especially since he’s an only child, but the benefits of playing have gone so much farther than that for their family. She says Matthew has had the opportunity to see he’s not the only one with special needs. He’s learned things like being patient and taking turns; he’s made amazing connections with his high school buddies, and he’s really proud of himself when he hits the ball. For her, it’s also the camaraderie she’s developed with the other parents who “are walking on the same path you’re on, on the same journey.” Sitting in the stands watching their kids play, they have the chance to connect as well. Angel League has been a perfect fit for Matthew, but for some kids, especially those who are higher functioning, they may crave more competition. Sebastian, age 15, has autism, and his mom Heather says that though she appreciates the positive message of some adapted programs, “When your kid is competitive, it’s hard if the other kids aren’t.” She has always tried to mainstream her son as often as possible, so when he began expressing an interest in swimming, she actively searched for programs that would allow him to progress at his own pace but in a competitive environment with typical- developing kids. The Plano Parks and Recreation summer swim program has been a great fit. They checked out the recreation center and the pool before classes started, and she talked with the coaches about Sebastian—how he might not talk much but is very capable and that he needs gentle pushing—and they decided together on the best class for him. “He wants to improve. He’s very cognizant of what he needs to learn,” she says. Ultimately, she hopes it will give him new skills he can use in other circumstances. Thirteen-year-old Braden Veronie certainly has the same competitive drive. Whether on the court or on the baseball diamond, his small stature hasn’t slowed him down. His dad Steve says, “He’s going to have to face challenges. We wanted him to know there are no limitations for him. He can do whatever he sets his mind to. We just tell him, ‘You may just have to work harder to achieve the same thing.’” Braden competes on teams for both sports with his average-sized peers. He says sometimes he even has an advantage. “In basketball it’s easier for me to take the ball from people.” And in baseball, “I get walked a lot” because his strike zone is much smaller. Braden also competed this summer in the Dwarf World Games in Canada in basketball for the New York Towers team. Steve says it’s nice for him to have the chance to play with other kids of his size and stature and that it’s fun to watch how competitive those games are. These student-athletes are proving to themselves, their parents, their buddies and their peers that they are capable of accomplishing amazing things. Carolyn may sum it up best: “Seeing my son make progress and being proud of himself, doing activities that typical kids do, and having such a great time, that’s what it’s all about.” “He’s going to have to face challenges. We wanted him to know there are no limitations for him. He can do whatever he sets his mind to.” -SteveVeronie,dadofthirteen-year-oldBradenshownhere,andprovingthathissmall stature is not slowing him down. Angel League softball player Matthew with his "buddies" Sebastian and Nina. Their dedicated assistance has helped Matthew become a true athlete. "Ilovewatchinghimplaybasketballbecausetheplayersaresosweettoeachother and so supportive regardless of which team they’re on.” - Laura Roach, nephew Jared has participated in Special Olympics basketball locally for over four years. Coleman and Sarah “Music is his life. He just feels it. He’s unable to read or write, but he can remember all the lyrics to a song,” -says drum major AnthonyTutum’s mom Jennifer. By AliciaWanek Matthew Braden Anthony Jared Playingsports improves cardiovascular health, coordination, agilityand balance. Playingsports teaches teamwork andgives opportunities forsocial interaction. Playing sportshas beenshown toimprove self-esteem. Special Needs Kids Find Their Way on the Field and the Court