Extraordinary athletes hit home runs at Kahnawà:ke's adaptive baseball game
Annual game aims to promote inclusion in the Kanien’kehá:ka community
There were big swings and big smiles in Kahnawà:ke at an annual baseball game for extraordinary athletes this past weekend.
The game, held on Saturday in the Kanien'kehá:ka community south of Montreal, was inclusive and adaptive to community members of all ages with disabilities.
"I like that we get to be outside, and to be running and that my family is cheering me on," said Rose Shedrick, 12,
Shedrick was among the dozens of extraordinary athletes — as organizers describes the players — to participate in the annual game.
"We wanted to have something special just for them so that they wouldn't feel that they were different or they had to perform to a certain level," said Iris Phillips, an advocacy co-ordinator at Connecting Horizons.
"They're out here completely just to play the game, love the game and hear the crowd cheer them on and have a great time. It's just about inclusion, accepting each other and making new friends."
Connecting Horizons is an advocacy and support group for individuals with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. Phillips said the youngest player was six, while the oldest were into their 60s.
Some have a physical disability and played using their mobility devices while others have autism or different developmental capabilities and were assisted by volunteers.
It was Michael Dell's third year participating. Dell, who has cerebral palsy and has been using a wheelchair since he was eight, said the event promotes a sense of community.
"It promotes inclusion so everybody that doesn't understand about special needs will get to know about special needs," he said.
"We're not just in the woodwork. We're part of society."
The event was a collaboration between Connecting Horizons, the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke's sports and recreation unit, Kahnawà:ke minor baseball and the Kahnawà:ke Mixed Softball League.
"I think it's important, number one: the kids' faces and their smiles," said Ryan Montour, interim commissioner of the softball league, and a council chief at the Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke.
"We have to include all of our community members in the community, right? Whether it's to support or through inclusion or awareness, everybody's a community member first."
The game was also a part of activities organized for Disabilities Awareness Week, which Kahnawà:ke is observing June 1-8.
"There's a disability community and the community of Kahnawà:ke, it's bridging the two communities together, a little more understanding and a little more acceptance," said Phillips.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
