Scott, a long time friend of mine and of the Foundation's thanks to his wonderful video production capabilities, sent me a flyer this week about a golf tournament. The Ocean County Council PTA (that's NJ) is having it's Challenger League Golf Outing -- "proceeds allow handicapped students to complete in various sports while representing their high school."
Two thoughts came to mind when I read this -- 1. what a great program for the kids, and 2. I thought of all the resistance
Elle got trying to be on her track team this year (and not to mention,
going to leadership camp). The people of Ocean County are reaching out instead of hiding behind "rules and regulations."
Scott's buddy, Geoff wrote this about his son Danny, who plays:
"This year Danny was old enough to compete in high school sports even though he
is still in a middle school autism program. Thanks to the Ocean County
Challenger League kids with disabilities now play three seasons of high school
sports against schools from around the Ocean County. Coaches from the high
schools are hired to run the teams and buses are provided by the school districts to take the kids on road games like a typical high school athlete
would.
The athlete's range from high to low functioning and all are
supported accordingly with buddies made up of typical high school student
athletes. This year was amazing and our team was just that, a real team. It
didn't matter if the child had downs, was in a wheelchair, was classified LD
or was the flapping autistic kid in left, they were the
Mustangs.
The league needs to raise its own money to pay the coaches,
buy the equipment, and uniforms which is why this golf outing is so important to
me."
Find out more about this event: 908-278-4654 or htothec@comcast.net.
What are the schools in your area doing for your kids?
Rob
