Students step up to plate during Adaptive Sports game

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Larissa Greatwood
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
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.

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, Special Olympics and basketball.

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 were 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," he said. "This day was all about [the students], and they had a lot of fun."

Through events like this, members of the Kaiserslautern Military Community 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 Kaiserslautern Military Community 1st Four at kmc1st.four@us.af.mil.