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Special athletes train with Dominion High School club
The Athlete-To-Athlete soccer clinic at Dominion High School Feb. 3 was a perfect chance for 8-year-old Cassian "to have fun and interact with people who are not me and my husband," said his mother, Susan Parker-Price, of Leesburg.Hand in hand with Dominion senior Caitlin Shaw, Cassian headed off for the dribbling station. During the two-hour clinic, he rotated through the skill stations with about 10 other special athletes. He tried out the relay, shooting and passing, all with Shaw's guidance and support.
His favorite was Titus, the Dominion mascot. "We have a special visitor," he told his mother, and headed off to the shooting station.
Cassian has an autism spectrum disorder, said Parker-Price. She suspected something was awry by the time he was 6 months old. She knew by the time he reached his first birthday. He has trouble processing the spoken word.
The clinic, she said, sounded fun, and the students are willing to adapt to the special athletes. A more structured regimen wouldn't suit Cassian. The students give their special athletes lots of latitude: Tired of dribbling? Not a problem. Let's kick the medicine ball.
The club is in its second year. Its 25 members meet weekly, and hold soccer and basketball clinics for special athletes. Many of their guests are training for Special Olympics, but "we invite all ages and all ability levels," said senior Andrew Livingstone.
Last month, the club hosted the opening ceremonies for Special Olympic s Virginia.
Livingstone, 18, got the club started last year when he heard that Athletic Director Joe Fleming was trying to get something going. He thought it might involve some volunteer time in the summer.
"I talked to Mr. Fleming, he showed me his vision, and I shared his passion."
The aim of the club is simple: Students plan and put on sports clinics for anyone in the community with a disability.
The guest athletes gain a lot, he said. The Dominion students learn and grow.
"It's about building bonds, breaking down barriers, between groups who ordinarily would not meet," Livingstone said. "And the growth expands way beyond the basketball court or soccer field -- we are working on traits like perseverance and giving the best effort."
Contact the reporter at ssollinger@timespapers.com
that's my brother.I live with him!!!
Posted by pegahserajeh
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