Kechi Okwuchi American Bash

The Alice Saddy Caring for the Community a non-profit agency located in London, Ontario, was established to support individuals with developmental disabilities by assisting them to live independently rather than an in a group home. Via various programs and services offered by the association, they provided opportunities for individual with developmental disabilities to become active, “contributing members of the community”. As a nonprofit, community-based organization, the Alice Saddy Association is committed to promoting independence and building an inclusive community where all individuals with disabilities can lead full and gratifying lives.

These services are great for elderly people to get out and enjoy themselves, interact and gather with friends. Many elderly people do not go anywhere due to lack of transport or people to go with, so this will help the elderly people have days out and have events to look forward to.

Everyone has their own set of strengths and weaknesses. Those with disabilities are no different they just have a different set then everyone else. I chose this project topic because in 5th and 6th grade I was part of a program called Peer Pals. Once a week during recess I volunteered in a special needs classroom. This work opened my eyes to the world of special needs and Peer Pals is one of the things I miss about elementary school. I realized that I needed to continue helping the special needs community. No solutions presented themselves and then one day the solution stared me in the face from it’s home in the Reston Community Center Program Guide. “Volunteer at the Adapted Aquatics Class,” I had found a solution to my problem.

One organization in particular that has large involvement within the community to help disabled kids is this organization called Miracle League of the Triangle. This organization is country-wide organization that is located in multiple parts of the country. In particular, one location is in Cary, North Carolina. This organization is specifically related to the sport of baseball. This league operates like a real baseball league where there are multiple teams and each team plays against each other. Each player has some sort of disability where it’s a physical disorder or a mental disorder. The good thing about the involvement is that each player is assisted by a person known as a BUDDY where they help the player run the bases and hit the ball. It’s a real bonding moment for both the player and the BUDDY. It shows that the BUDDY really cares for the player and it makes the player feel more appreciated. The mission statement for the league is to create positive life experiences for children and adults with special needs and for their families through baseball. The league also has some core values in which they take and consider in this organization. Some values are that everything that is done should be player-centered and create an accepting, safe, and fun environment. The world sometimes responds in a ways not to accept people with special needs because they think they don’t fit into the society so they simply exclude them from most activities or other involvements in the community. To change this issue, the leagues organizes the baseball games to give kids a chance to participate in the community even if the league is a specific minority group. It gets these kids more involved to have exposure of interesting things in the world. The league gives everyone the opportunity to participate which creates unity among each other. The BUDDY system helps the staff, board, coaches

I have been a part of Best Buddies here at WKU since my first semester of college. Best Buddies is an organization that pairs college students with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Best Buddies gives people with IDD the opportunity to get involved with things happening on campus. It also allows them to build different friendships. Through Best Buddies, I have had the opportunity to start volunteering my time at the Buddy House. The Buddy House is a place where people with Down syndrome can go to hang out with their friends. The Buddy House offers classes for all ages. They have literacy classes for elementary and middle grade students, adult skills classes, fitness for teens and adults, Zumba classes, and much more.

In ninth grade, my mother suggested that I volunteer with peers at my high school who are special needs. She thought it would be good for me to meet other people my age who have their unique struggles in school, much like myself. I protested originally, but little did I know I would love volunteering with my peers, regardless of their disability. During this time, I signed up to volunteer with a local organization called Buddy Ball. At Buddy Ball, I had the opportunity to teach children with disabilities ages five through twenty-one baseball. When I volunteered with my peers, I mainly saw high schoolers with severe autism, intellectual disabilities, and emotional disturbances, whereas with Buddy Ball most of the participants had severe autism, intellectual disability, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, epilepsy, or a multiple of disabilities. Both of these experiences allowed me to gain knowledge of a variety of special

Boca Raton, FL., March 25, 2017…Throughout the morning of Saturday, March 18th, 2017 they arrived in wheelchairs, on walkers, gripping canes, led by service dogs, or holding onto the arm of a loved one or caregiver. One by one, children, teens, adults and wounded warriors with every conceivable disability poured into Boca Raton’s Spanish River Park for the 9th annual Boating & Beach Bash for People with Disabilities. The Bash is the recognized leader as the largest free, annual fun event in America for those with physical and/or intellectual challenges. For many of guests it is

“It's an important thing in our community. We support it and I'm glad the community supports it,” said Commissioner Rob Ault of the Training Center and services provided by the DD Board. “It's very important to the community. It affects a lot of families. We appreciate everything you do. There's not one of us who doesn't have some sort of disability in our family.”

The Parker Lee Project is an organization in Ennis, Texas that is dedicated to help families with special needs children's to obtain medical supplies and equipment that they need. They also provide educational resources for families and provide emotional support for families struggling to care for their special child. This agency helps the clients obtain medical supplies that are not covered through insurance. They help the client maintain their health and independence by getting supplies that are consider “luxury” but are actually essential for the well being of the child. This agency also helps the parents of the child with education resources such as help to find agencies to help their child and finding the therapies that are needed.

The CILSF is a private, non-profit organization and the majority of the staff and Board of Directors are people experiencing disabilities too. This organization was formed in 1993 due to the amazing amount of individuals with disabilities after hurricane Andrew. It is located at 4770 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, FL 33137; its phone number is (305) 751-8025; and its website is http://www.cilsf.org/. There are other offices in North Miami Beach and in Coral Gables. Five core areas shape the foundation of their services: Individual and systems advocacy, peer support, independent living skills training, and information and referral. The CILSF’s mission is “Empowering people with disability to reach their highest level of achievement. Advocating for systems change that results in access choice, equality, inclusion, integration, and independence (The Center for Independent, 2016).”

As a child, I remember accompanying my mom to various Adams Camp events. I never truly knew what Adams Camp was until my middle school years. Adams Camp is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing various therapeutic programs for children and families with special needs, as well as hosting recreational programs for fun, social connections, and growth in independence. Adams Camp was founded by one of my mom’s friends, Carol Horney. Carol’s son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and hadn’t taken a step until he turned 5 years old, but only after a week of intensive therapy. Carol believed in supporting others like Adam, and eventually organized the first Adventure Camp a year later. To this day, I know Adam particularly well. Yes he has his funny quirks, but now he is a fully-functioning adult. He has devoted his life to helping others like him, as he holds a job with Developmental Pathways, a company that sustains fundraising for Adams Camp.

One year ago, my life changed forever. I walked into the same interview room and I stepped up on the same stage as these girls and I was blessed to have those few moments turned into a year of memories that I will never forget. I have had the amazing opportunity to participate in what I think is the greatest fair in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Russell County has definitely spoiled me, especially in terms of horse shows; I definitely will not ever settle for less after spending hour after addicting hour down in the arena. Russell County is also the only fair I have ever known to have a Special Needs Day and I am forever grateful to have been a part of a fair that is as passionate about the inclusion of those with special needs as I

HOPE for Miami is an agency directed to the most vulnerable sectors of society, children, adolescents and young people with special needs as well as guides to parents through courses and free training. It was an honor to work with HOPE For Miami with a family atmosphere and collaboration with other programs.

When working with the Miss Amazing pageant it was very humbling to work with these young ladies that have disabilities. I know day was just as the title states Amazing for these young women.

Special Citizens also holds many different events to get everybody together and raise awareness for people with autism. One of the more popular events is the Kristen Bednar Memorial Surf Camp. This event was founded in 2007 by Dr. Guberman and takes place at Cupsogue Beach in Westhampton, New York every year. During this surf camp, children and their families surf one-on-one with a qualified instructor for the whole