GOOSE CREEK — Since joining what would eventually become the city’s therapeutic program, Olivia Miller has rattled through a friend’s name list comprised of artistic and physical activities for people of all ages and abilities. Told.
The 22-year-old is athletic and her favorite activities are golf, volleyball and tennis, but Miller said she’s most proud of the drawings she’s made of her friends. It turned into a banner and now flies over Goose Creek’s newly opened inclusive Central Her Creek Her Park.
Olivia Miller was diagnosed with a moderate intellectual disability called Cabezas syndrome several years ago, said older sister Hannah Miller, the treatment coordinator for the city’s parks and recreation department. I recently got involved in the department when recreation expert Adam Snyder of the time launched the “Social Squad” to involve people with special needs in city programs. became.
Goose Creek Treatment Coordinator Hannah Miller hugs one of the program participants on a bowling excursion.City of Goose Creek/Provided by Goose Creek
It started as a social group, but has grown to include sports such as golf, kickball, and basketball. arts and crafts; and special events, like the annual Valentine’s Dance, where they play games, “play ’90s pop, and jam together.”
“I really try to make sure there’s something active,” Miller said. “We definitely have at least one activity every week, and sometimes more.” .”
Goose Creek’s is one of several municipal treatment programs in a three-county area designed to enable people with disabilities and their families to participate in physical and social activities. Charleston has had such a program he’s had for nearly 20 years, said recreation director Laurie Yarbrough.
Charleston’s program includes basketball, cheerleading, tennis, archery, dance, a golf team, and a swim team of about 15 that have competed in the Special Olympics, said program director Sarah Stern. . This, in addition to the Arts and Theater programme, has seen participants write, produce and perform their own plays. Attendees also visited Columbia’s Riverbanks Zoo and last month’s James Island Light Festival.
Additionally, Charleston’s comprehensive parks and amenities (including wheelchair-accessible golf carts and lifts to get in and out of the pool) make it a great choice for local non-disabled people to serve people with special needs. Commercial entities use city parks and pools for their own activities.
Initially, Charleston’s treatment programs served people throughout the three-county area, but more and more municipalities started their own comprehensive programs, purchased adaptive equipment, and built accessible parks. doing.
Somerville doesn’t have a regular program, but it does work with local nonprofits to host special events for people with disabilities, said Amy Evans, the town’s parks and recreation director. I’m here. Employees of North Charleston Recreation work with local schools to organize kickball he tournaments and other activities with the city’s firefighters and police officers.
That program began with Kathy Cockley, assistant director of recreation, who came to North Charleston’s parks department after years of working in the school system.
Desiree Brinkley pushes Annie Taylor into a wheelchair during a kickball game through a North Charleston treatment program.City of North Charleston/Provided
“At North Charleston, we believe it’s important for everyone to have a good quality of life,” says Kackley. “And quality of life means being included in your community, feeling part of something, being accepted, and being celebrated for you and all your abilities.”
Yarbrough said it was nice to see other local governments follow Charleston’s lead in starting treatment programs and building inclusive parks. I mentioned the Miracle League field that I made.
“This is great because it’s difficult for families to travel from Monks Corner to Charleston to play Miracle League ball,” she said. “It’s so much better when they have a Miracle League field in their area. We’ve seen others grow like that around us.”
health and social benefits
Especially the physical benefits of sports are obvious. Recreational employees have seen people reach their goals and do things they thought they weren’t physically capable of.
It’s also important to have equipment to support them and to be in a place where they can be physically active at their level, says Miller.
“If you can ride well (on an elliptical) for five minutes with someone behind you, you’re still doing the move and you’re in a safe place,” she said. is with like-minded people, with people who wouldn’t look at you if you did things a little differently.”
That doesn’t mean she doesn’t have to give them the occasional push.
“I think a lot of people come into this community and are treated like fragile little glass angels,” Miller said. Like ‘Even if they say they’re tired, they’re going to die.’ They’re not. They’re just like me. and know what they can do.”
But the socio-emotional angle is also important. Without such programs, especially for adults, there are few resources for communities with special needs, which can isolate those people and their families. Both Miller and Yarbrough have personal experiences with it.
Participants in a North Charleston treatment program play basketball in the city’s gymnasium. This program is designed for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities and provides opportunities for physical activity and community building.City of North Charleston/Provided
“When you look at these young people, they’re best friends,” Yarbrough said. “Sometimes they’re boyfriends and girlfriends. Sometimes, if someone is shy, they know they are shy, so someone else will do all the talking for them.It’s the same as anyone else.Friendship. “
Megan Barbee is a special education teacher at North Charleston High School, whose students participate in the city’s therapeutic program. They remain fairly isolated while in school and many families do not have the resources to participate in local organizations. , giving her students the opportunity to interact with people outside the classroom and family.
In doing so, they meet new people, some with similar disabilities, she said.
“Having social interaction with people just like them is really beneficial for them,” Barbie said. “They love it.”
North Charleston builds community between city employees and the people they serve. She said that when police and firefighters are called in for emergencies, they will help people they meet through the program.
Nana Gotbetter plays tennis in a therapy program in the City of Charleston.City of Charleston/Provided
“There were people who needed[police and firefighter]services and when they got there, it was people they knew,” Mr. Kackley said. I think..Sometimes I think those situations are difficult..
TJ Rostin, director of North Charleston parks, said nonprofits and other private organizations often don’t have the same resources, so it’s important that cities provide those resources when possible. said. Furthermore, he said it is important for cities to serve all residents.
Miller agreed.
“Imagine being in a community that has it all, like the best place you’d ever want to live, but it doesn’t cater to your child.” We can do it, we all love it, but your kids just have to sit and watch because they don’t fit in, they’re not accepted, there’s no equipment they can enjoy .”
“There are people with special needs everywhere,” she added. ?From a human point of view, we want everyone to be able to experience something fun.”
