RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Ramstein and Kaiserslautern middle and high school special-needs students went toe-to-toe in a friendly game of adaptive-sports softball at Donnelly Park, May 4.
The Guzzlers, a varsity community softball team, joined the children to build camaraderie and morale between students, their friends and both immediate and military families.
“The way we make it adaptive is we have the international Guzzlers team come out and buddy up with the students, and we use either a whiffle or a soft-softball to play with,” said Senior Airman Allison Malaska, 86th Medical Operations Squadron aerospace medical technician and event coordinator.
Although the game is slightly altered, the goal of it is to make the students feel equivalent.
“It’s important that we make them feel like they’re no different and part of our community just as much as anyone else,” said Malaska.
Col. Brandon Hileman, 86th Airlift Wing vice commander, gave a speech at the game.
“I’m happy to see so many out here today,” he said. “Thank you for stepping up to the plate, making our community such a wonderful place to live and work.”
Hileman touched on how adaptive sports builds friendships and camaraderie.
“One of our priorities in the 86th is “Forging Ready and Resilient Leaders,” said Hileman. “Through adaptive sports, we continue to forge resilience by building and enriching camaraderie and friendships—amongst both our Airmen and our families.
“I’m proud of our team and we are happy that we’ve got this opportunity to help enable our Adaptive Sports program.”
The Adaptive Sports program will continue to host events throughout the year.