To volunteer with Exceptional Kids Atheltics, go to www.exceptionalkidsathletics.org
When a former soccer player from Barbados, a pediatric occupational therapist, and her husband realized that there was no place for children with special needs to play and engage in sports, they took action.
John Warde, Aimee Prainito and Scott Prainito decided to launch the Exceptional Kids Athletics sports program for children with physical and/or cognitive disabilities.
“It was really one of my clients who told me that her son had no sports programs to get involved in that inspired this all,” said Aimee Prainito.
After speaking to her husband, the Prainitos decided to put together a sports program in Snellville, where they currently live. The idea got put on hold, but a chance meeting with Warde revitalized this idea and Exceptional Kids Athletics was born to provide children and their parents a fun place to play and interact.
The program caters to the severe/profoundly disabled athlete up to the very high functioning athlete, and no disability is turned away. This allows all special needs children the chance to participate in a safe and educational program where they can be part of team.
Moreso, EKA also wants parents to have a wholesome experience.
“So many times they need to volunteer and be involved and we prefer that they don’t. We prefer they sit on the sidelines and watch their athlete thrive on the field just like parents of typical athletes,” said Aimee Prainito.
When Beth Richards’ 6-year-old son, who has autism, takes the field during his soccer game, she knows that this program is exactly what Thomas needed.
“EKA has really helped Thomas and we know how much we all, as a family, enjoy his participation in the program,” she said. “As a parent, I get to enjoy watching him play, have fun, and just be a kid.”
Additionally, being involved in sports helps support the children’s physical and cognitive abilities by working on hand-eye coordination, social and other motor skills.
Being founded and run by volunteers, EKA is always looking for community support when it comes to coaching, sponsoring a program, adult volunteers and buddy volunteers (kids ages from 9-18). The program also provides the parents a meet-and-greet get together where it hosts different speakers on a variety of different special needs topics. All volunteers are also trained on how to work with children with special needs.
“To see the athletes returning season after season and learning such wonderful skills with huge smiles on not only their faces, but also their parents, really makes this all worth it,” said Aimee Prainito.
Currently, the spring and fall soccer program meets at Rhodes Jordan Park in Lawrenceville, and has 38 athletes on six teams.
In other news: It's The Journey Inc. awarded grants totaling $600,000 to 22 breast cancer programs across Georgia on March 3. It's The Journey, producer of the Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer, provides grants annually for Georgia programs that focus on breast cancer awareness, education, early detection, treatment and support services. The funds were raised during the 2013 Atlanta 2-Day Walk for Breast Cancer, which has nearly 800 walkers and hundreds of volunteers to support its mission.
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