Contributed by Denise Campbell
On Sunday, April 13, players from the Basketball for All Program celebrated their end of season with a pizza party. The previous Sunday, April 6, almost 30 players showed off the basketball skills they learned over the past six weeks to friends and family while participating in the Basketball for All Program. Each player received a goodie bag and a participation medal. This is the third year of the special needs basketball program. It is housed at the Avenue (Ginghamsburg Church) for six weeks. This year started a new adventure, adjusting and adding additional practice levels for kids while partnering with the Clubhouse program at Ginghamsburg. In the past, everyone participated in the same practice level completing stations learning specific basketball skills. This year, changes were made to add a second level of practice for students to work in a group format and playing against each other.
The brainchild of Tasha, an amazing advocate momma, and her friend Denise, a school-based Occupational Therapist, the special needs basketball program was developed in 2023. The program is mainly volunteer-run, with the partnership with Clubhouse starting this year. Many Occupational and Physical Therapists work for the Montgomery County Educational Service Center and/or live in the Tipp area, who volunteer their time each Sunday. Also, many Tipp High School students help, including Bristol Koveleski, who is the Clubhouse ambassador.
Tasha’s son Charlie, diagnosed with Level 1 Autism and spinal bifida, decided a few years ago he wanted to play basketball. Charlie is brilliant in math and science and has become an expert on many things on his YouTube channel, including Minecraft, holidays, astrology, and travel. He has had to work a bit harder on his motor and social skills when compared to his peers. Charlie’s parents have always supported him with his participation in all activities. They were excited about this basketball program to help teach him the basics of the game in an environment that met him at his level.
Another unique aspect of the Basketball for All program is that siblings of players can also participate. Siblings and other peer volunteers from Boy Scout Troop 586 and various Tipp students are integrated to assist the players in whatever is needed to participate successfully in the program. Tasha and Denise pride themselves on being able to offer an inclusive environment for players with physical and intellectual disabilities. The use of individual visual schedules, group visual schedules, visual countdowns, and following a fairly similar schedule each week has proven to assist all players in participating to the best of their ability. In addition, some players have 1:1 helpers to assist them in participating at their basketball level.
We would like to offer a special thanks to Chris Lundquist from Ginghamsburg Clubhouse for his support and coordination in making the program run smoothly. Dan Bracken from Ginghamsburg Church for always being flexible with the times we needed gym space and helping us with whatever we needed on-site. And Ginghamsburg Church for their generosity in allowing us to use the gym space at the Avenue. We would also like to thank Tipp City Pizza, Topsy Turvy Toys, and Rad Candy Company, as they all generously donated items for our players and volunteers. We would also like to thank Mason Whitby for taking pictures of our game day. Lastly, a special thanks to Justin Spivey from J Spivey Photography for taking pictures for us again this year. He was extremely patient with our players and managed to capture wonderful pictures of all of them. He then put them all together to get a team photo, which may be something these kids have never had the opportunity to be a part of.
The Basketball for All program is a wonderful program that allows players to grow in their skills, have fun with friends and siblings, and play basketball in a fun and encouraging environment. We look forward to continuing to grow the program next year!