Students with special needs compete in unified sports

Inside the Milton Somers Middle School gymnasium for four weeks each spring members of several Charles County elementary schools have the chance to compete in a series of unified basketball games each Saturday afternoon in contests where the final score is secondary to the outcome.

Special education teachers throughout the county are accustomed to working with students who have various disabilities, such as autism or Down Syndrome. During the games those students are paired with other students from the school who give them instruction and encouragement throughout the games as parents cheer from the stands regardless of the outcome.

"These events are so much fun for all the kids and their parents," said organizer Mary Wells, a Chopticon High School and College of Southern Maryland graduate who now teaches at Malcolm Elementary in Waldorf. "I've been teaching in the county for seven years and these games really mean a lot to the kids. They feel accepted and included."

William Carter, a physical education teacher at Dr. Brown Elementary in Waldorf, acted as coach of the Bulldogs team that took the floor against Picowaxen Elementary on Saturday. Carter noted that the games are equally important to the development of the students with special needs as well as the other members of the student body.

"It's all about overcoming a lot of obstacles," Carter said. "We have kids that initially are afraid to hold the ball or dribble the ball, but by the end of the four weeks they are able to dribble on their own. For the kids teaching them, they're learning valuable leadership skills. They teach the special needs students how to play and get them involved in a fun activity and also develop leadership skills."

Individuals such as Carter, Wells and Steve Baldo, a teacher in the county who spent the entire three games on a recent Saturday running up and down the floor along with the students, all volunteer their time for these outings. On April 13, students from Brown, Malcolm, Matula, Mudd, Picowaxen and Wade elementary schools participated in the games.

"This day is a fun time," said Wade Elementary School student Christian Davis, who admitted his favorite class is physical education. "I've tried other sports, too, like soccer. But basketball is the most fun."