Over the years, as both Jack’s mom and starting Can Play, I’ve learned that true belonging requires more than inviting someone into a program. This recurring series will share what families, recreation leaders and communities can do to help people of every ability be seen, supported and given opportunities to thrive.
Recreation professionals have an incredible opportunity to create spaces and programs specifically designed for people of different abilities—places where every child can be seen, supported and given the opportunity to thrive.
As a mom, I saw how important this was for my son, Jack. When he was younger, he would tell me he was running. In his mind, he was—and that feeling mattered. But to others, he was walking fast, and often not fast enough to keep up.
Jack didn’t need people to focus on how his running compared with everyone else’s. He needed a place where his effort was recognized, his accomplishments were celebrated and he could experience the joy of playing.
Through our work at Can Play, we have met many children who share that same desire. They run, play and try in their own ways, yet their efforts can be overlooked simply because they look different from those of their peers. The ability and desire have always been there—the right opportunities have not.
That is what belonging through recreation can create. When we design programs around what each person can do, children like Jack have the opportunity to be seen, build confidence, experience the joy of playing and discover just how much they are capable of.