Volunteer Spotlights
Northeast Disabled Athletic Association Adaptive Kayaking
In 2019 I had the fortune to volunteer with the Northeast Adaptive Athletic Association’s adaptive kayaking program. Through this program I met some of the most amazing individuals. Each participant, ranging from 14 to 71 years old, experienced a tragedy in their lifetime that prohibited them from life without assistance to perform daily activities. Program participants had experienced a stroke, paralysis, or a congenital disability. I spent approximately ten hours a week over the course of the summer months with the participants, who immediately became my friends. We exchanged stories, life moments, and just daily chit chat. Through these conversations one theme always prevailed: you must value each and every moment because you never know when it may be the last or at least derailed from what has been normal. These incredible people had about one hour a day, twice a week, where they could participate independently with the adaptive kayaks provided by the organization. More information on this program can be found at https://disabledathletics.org/kayaking/.
Adaptive Hockey
I have also had the opportunity to assist with adaptive sled hockey. A few years ago, a program was started in Connecticut for local kids with disabilities. I would spend two hours every Sunday in the winter volunteering at these sessions. Of the thirty kids, one in particular always stands out. Owen, a six-year-old boy, is the most outgoing and joyful kid I have ever met. Owen was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and often can’t play with kids his age. However, at this program, we fit Owen for a sled; allowing him to fly around the ice and do a sport without the assistance of his mom or a caretaker. Every Sunday when Owen leaves, he always has the biggest smile on his face. I hope that I can take these experiences and build off of them. I not only want to be involved with adaptive sports, but I want to help design new adaptations for various walks of life and bring independence to more individuals. Both of these programs have left a lasting impression on me. I have changed my outlook on life because of these moments and now often consider my surroundings and how they can be improved to make a person living with a disability have increased ease of participating in everyday activities. The world will never be perfect, but through innovation, we can take steps in the right direction. In the picture above is one of my former teammate and friend, Caeley Smith, who started the program in Watertown Connecticut.
In recent years there has been a decline in the number of youth players in club hockey. As a response to this decrease, many NHL teams include the New York Rangers have started pop up learn to play programs. I was luckily enough that my club hockey coach was able to be in contact with the Junior New York Rangers program and start one of the learn to play programs based out of my high school.
Every Sunday, myself along with several of my teammates would spend about an hour helping teach player ranging in ages from about 2 years old to 13 years old. I think my biggest take away from this experience was learning some patience and instructional abilities. We had several kids who struggled with controlling their bodies and would often lash out at other kids. Part of my role was to catch this behavior before somebody was injured and help explain how their actions were unacceptable. However, I also was filled with so much joy each session. I got to help walk these young kids through various activities and I watched their faces light up as they fell in love with the same sport that I have been in love with sense I was three years old.
