What's possible through sports

PERKINS TWP. — Briar Middle School students learned a lesson on being inclusive through sports. Perkins Schools teamed up with Adaptive Sports Ohio, an organization that uses sports such as wheelchair basketball, to spread its message and vision of inclusivity. Adaptive Sports Ohio's mission statement revolves around removing barriers to ensure everyone has a chance to play regardless of one's disabilities. The organization sets out to provide all Ohio youth and adults access to sports in their communities. The creation of Adaptive Sports Ohio was inspired by the CEO's son, Casey Followay, who shared his story and helped host the event on Thursday. He was born with Spina Bifida. According to the CDC, it's a birth defect on a person's spine. While sharing his story, Followay said he struggled with his self-esteem when he was younger. "I grew up basically as the only kid in my community or family that had a disability," Followay said. "It took a toll on me mentally and emotionally for a long time." When he was 8 years old, Followay was introduced to adaptive sports, which, he said, completely changed his outlook on life. "Everyone has struggles no matter who they are, whether they have a disability or not," Followay said. "What we want to do as an organization is show people what is possible through sports." Adaptive Sports Ohio gives everyone the same opportunity Followay had to get involved. Leslie Drury, an intervention specialist at Briar Middle School, helped organize Adaptive Sports Ohio to come into the school and give a presentation on what adaptive sports is and what the organization does. Drury said the event was another way the district promotes an inclusive environment. The district has a connection to the Special Olympics and has a Unified Sports program, which also connects students through sports regardless of disability. "We are trying to spread inclusivity within the schools for our special needs students," Drury said. After Adaptive Sports Ohio shared about its organization and mission, selected staff and students from each grade level got on the court and were directed to a line of wheelchairs. Each staff member and student got in a chair and started to practice moving around before their game began. One of the students to participate was sixth-grade student Cianna Wierzba. She was in the first of three games and said she had a lot of fun playing. "It was very interesting to see how other people play with disabilities," Wierzba said. "I think it puts things in perspective how people can get involved through sports." Wierzba's favorite part of the game was watching her teammate score. The game "helps kids understand what some kids go through and that they're just the same as us just a little different." The school's staff won the first two games while game three ended in a 0-0 tie. At the end of each game, students were given a drawstring bag with the Adaptive Sports Ohio logo on it for their participation.