SPECIAL FOCUS
SRA PERSPECTIVES
Viewpoints and experiences from parents, a professional and Special Olympics organizers
Special Recreation has brought such joy to
our family and opened up a world of opportunity for our son who was born with Downs
Syndrome. Patrick is now 21 years old and has
participated for many years in a variety of
activities.
"Pat has enjoyed many sports—bowling,
hiking, softball, golf, and billiards—where
skills and good sportsmanship are taught by
caring, patient staff members and volunteers.
Best of all, everyone is a winner. Where else do
you find the "fans" cheering for both sides at a
softball game?
"Pat's creativity has been nurtured through activities such as Drama Club, gardening, crafts, cooking classes, and piano lessons. He struggles to learn 'his lines' and does not always want to practice his piano lesson, but he
loves performing and has gained so much self-confidence in doing so.
"One of the greatest benefits of special recreation is the independence that participants gain through various activities, especially the "just for fun" ones. Pat loves going to dances, taking trips to special events, and having run with his friends in Social Club. He has a chance to be himself and test his wings without mom and dad; and, as parents, we know he will be safe and guided by people who care about him.
"South Suburban Special Recreation Association just
celebrated its 25th anniversary of serving people with disabilities, and Patrick was asked to play the piano as part of the program. He summed up how he and we, his parents, feel about SSSRA in his choice of music. He played Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" and "A Whole New World," from "Aladdin." A joyous new world it is for him and us!"
- Doris Sweeney, resident of Matteson
"A joyous new world it is for (my son) and us!"
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"I come from a long line of teachers
and almost became an English teacher,
but I felt those four walls closing in and
majored instead in recreation administration. That drive to teach, however, is
still with me. Through special recreation, we're teaching people how to
enjoy their free time. Many of our
participants have a great deal of free
time, especially as they age out of
school. They lack work opportunities
and are unable to pursue leisure
activities on their own.
"Families who have children with
disabilities often feel isolated in the
community and we can help eliminate
that isolation. Parents have told us that
the SRA is their child's life. This is
where he's accepted for who he is.
"Since my start at the South East Association for Special Parks
and Recreation (SEASPAR) 20 years ago, we've grown from serving
7 to 11 communities. There's more demand for services, but the
availability of resources is an issue due to the tax cap. The demand
now is different. Individuals with more severe disabilities are asking
for services so staffing is more labor intensive.
"Over time, too, SRAs really have become team members in
their communities with teachers, therapists, and families. Together,
we aid in the overall development of the individual and that's a big
role.
"One of my most rewarding experiences involves the Serena's
Song hot air balloon, the only totally accessible air balloon in the
world. SEASPAR is one sponsor of these rides, offered to more
than 130 people with disabilities during the Eyes to the Skies
Balloon Festival in Lisle each year.
"There's something magical about it, being there at 5:45 a.m. to
give rides before the sun gets too high and working as late as 9 p.m
before we're done. The experience is exhilarating for staff and
participants and tears flow.
"That balloon was built especially for them and that's what we
do every day. SRAs offer chances to grow and experience all the
good things life has to offer."
- Susan Friend, superintendent of recreation, SEASPAR
28 / Illinois Parks and Recreation
SRA PERSPECTIVES
Being a parent of a child in need for special recreation programs, many people would consider me
unfortunate. I consider myself just the opposite! My son and myself have been lucky enough to be
affiliated with a few associations in the city, but we have been extremely blessed since we've relocated in
Northern Illinois. My son Eric has now been associated with Northern Illinois Special Recreation
Association (NISRA) for the last five years.
"Tears of joy and happiness flow every time I look back and see how far he has come from when he
first started. His development would not have increased so rapidly if it wasn't for the many different
athletic and social programs. The variety of programs...overwhelms me. Our choices are not limited and
probably in most cases, we have more to choose from than parents who have their children in regular
park district programs.
"NISRA is like having my son in a 5-star hotel. Anytime he participates in their programs activities, or events he, like the other children, are treated and taken care of as if they were celebrity guests. More like they were their own children! The hard work, endless hours and dedication that the entire staff provide is remarkable. Most impressively, their genuine love goes beyond what is expected. It awakens me in a way that there is still so much good in this world, even today when we hear usually nothing but negativity.
"Self-worth for all of these children and adults is probably the most important trait they need! NISRA achieves this consistently by maintaining their high standards. I thank them and all other special recreation associations in Illinois that are achieving the same."
- Christopher Sychta, resident of Deerfield
"NISRA is like having my son in a 5-star hotel."
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By the time the first special recreation association was established in the early 1970s, Special
Olympics was already growing its program started in 1968. It was natural that these two organizations, ultimately, would work together, enhancing the lives of adults and children with mental
retardation and related developmental disabilities. The SRAs have set the standard for quality
Special Olympics training and coaching, with many SRA professionals serving on local Special
Olympics Area Committees.
Athletes benefit from the broader and higher competition experience that Special Olympics
provides. They gain opportunities to advance to the next level of competition including visiting
different parts of Illinois and the world, if they are chosen for the World Games team.
"The excitement of traveling to state competitions, staying in hotels, meeting other competitors
and celebrating at the dances means a lot to athletes and families, " says Jane Hodgkinson of Western DuPage Special Recreation Association.
Special Olympics Unified Sports are a natural bridge for inclusion into the park district programs. Unified Sports combine Special Olympics athletes and members of the community in equal numbers on the same team playing against other Unified teams. The Northwest Special Recreation Association has worked cooperatively with Area 18 Special Olympics to form a Unified youth league through the Palatine Park District and a Unified adult league through the Rolling Meadows Park District.
To get your park district and recreation department involved in Special Olympics, call Dave Breen at 1.800.394.0562.
- Barbara DiGuido, Illinois Special Olympics
July/August 1999 / 29