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A student and volunteer run to a base during an Adaptive Sports softball game May 2 on Ramstein. Students from Kaiserslautern and Ramstein middle and high schools paired up with volunteers from the local Guzzlers softball team to participate in the event.
Ramstein and Kaiserslautern middle and high school special-needs students had the opportunity to participate in a seasonal Adaptive Sports softball game to build friendships, camaraderie and morale May 2 on Ramstein.
The Adaptive Sports events are a series of activities scheduled throughout the year to encourage students with special needs to build confidence and friendships. Other Adaptive Sports activities include soccer, basketball and the Special Olympics.
More than 20 students participated in this year’s event. With Ramstein students on one team and Kaiserslautern students on the other, the students were able to participate in friendly competition.
“I think (events like this) are great for the kids to experience working with other kids with similar disabilities as them,” said Brianna Phillips, Ramstein Middle School teacher. “(Playing these types of games) gives them a sense of camaraderie and the opportunity to experience championships while having fun learning a new sport. Being able to communicate with different people helps to build their social skills as well.”
The students not only conversed with each other but they were also partnered with a volunteer buddy who assisted and cheered them on. Each student was assigned their own buddy who stuck next to them throughout the competition to help them bat, run bases and catch balls.
Senior Airman Justin Mattice, 86th Dental Squadron dental lab technician and volunteer, is part of a varsity-level community softball team, known as the Guzzlers, and volunteered to assist the students during this year’s softball game.
“Being a volunteer helps me give back to the community,” Mattice said. “This day was all about (the students), and they had a lot of fun.”
Through events like this, members of the KMC strengthen relationships while taking care of each other by maintaining strength in fitness and social health.
For more information about Adaptive Sports events and volunteer opportunities, contact the KMC 1st Four at kmc1st.four@us.af.mil.
