Adapted Athletics Gets an A+

We have all been to high school.  Some of us participated in the school's sports programs.  We all know that the "athletes" who walk the halls brandishing their Letter Jackets are often viewed by others as top performers.  Their stature and self-esteem is boosted by not only their personal achievements, but by peer acceptance and support.  And if you are a parent of a high school sports participant, you know how gratifying it can be to watch them mature as they excel in their chosen activities.

As a parent of a student with a disability you realize that they might also benefit from participation, but all to often they are excluded. Sometimes the exclusion is for valid reasons such as for fear that they might become injured.  Other times the exclusion is more sinister.  Athletic directors are focused on fielding the "best" athletes and "winning" for their school's program.  Having disabled students on the team would undermine those objectives.

In Minnesota we solved this problem with the launch of the Minnesota State High School League Adapted Athletics Program.  In November 1992, the Star Tribune newspaper reported:  "In an emotional and unanimous vote, the Minnesota State High School League welcomes athletics with disabilities into its family." 

The Adapted Athletics program, artfully designed with input from coaches, educators, former players and high school league officials, provides disabled students with a unique opportunity to participate in a wide variety of sports.  Not only does participation help these students strengthen their physical abilities, it offers a powerful tool to help build self-esteem. 

The program focuses on giving student athletes the opportunity to discover and/or improve their individual skills in:  goal setting, pride and self-confidence, friendships, leadership and teamwork, competitiveness, graciousness (win or lose), physical conditioning/wellness, concentration and intensity, a sense of community and belonging, and commitment and dedication.

Adapted Athletics offers two programs:  PI (physically impaired), and CI (cognitively impaired).  All sports are held indoors and include Adapted Soccer, Adapted Floor Hockey, Adapted Softball and Adapted Bowling. Teams compete at regional and state levels.  Participants are recognized for outstanding achievement.  All participants earn "letters" in each sport. 

This program works.  I know because my daughter Melissa participated in adapted athletics starting in seventh grade and continued through high school.  She played each sport and improved noticeably each year.  In fact, during her junior year, her bowling team won the State Championship. 

I have found no greater joy in life than watching these athletes play.  They give it their "all".  They have fun ... win or lose.  And maybe most importantly, they are recognized by their non-disabled peers.  I've seen many of those athletes befriend Melissa something that may not have happened had she not participated in the program!  Here is her graduation picture taken with her coveted letter jacket--something she still wears today!

If your child's high school does not offer an Adapted Athletics program, point them north to Minnesota to discover the success we have achieved.  For more information, follow this link to the Minnesota Adapted Athletics Association

I give Adapted Athletics a grade of A+.  Get it into your school today.