Organizations
- Created by a mother (Cyndi Blair) who's daughter felt like she had no friends of "her own".
- Goal was to create a positive environment where the focus was: fun, friends, socialization, and support.
- Started in 2005 with originally six students to have fun together and today there are more than 300 hundred students.
- They are involved in the community, participate in sports, have parties and dances, and much more.
- There are three locations: Lakeshore (Muskegon), Kent County, and Central Michigan.
- http://www.nomoresidelines.org/
- "The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community."
- Founded by Eunice Kennedy Shriver after seeing how wrongly children with intellectual disabilities were treated.
- Began as just a summer camp in her own backyard until 1968 when the 1st International Special Olympics Summer Games were held.
- The largest organization for people with intellectual disabilities - nearly 4 million athletes in over 170 countries.
- 32 different Olympic style sports.
- Volunteers help the organization to continue its existence and are always wanted!
- http://www.specialolympics.org/
Therapeutic Horseback Riding- Equest Center
Equest Therapeutic Riding CenterEquest is a magic place where everyone has a chance to push themselves beyond what they thought they could do. The center services everyone from stroke patients to individuals with severe physical disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders and intellectual abilities. A lot of families refer to therapeatic riding as their "sport." While many other children or young adults participate in recreational sports like soccer, equest kids are horseback riders. They are always striving to make improvements to their program. Get involved! They are always looking for volunteers!
www.equestcenter.org
3777 Rector Ave Ne Rockford MI
Contact Person: Kelly Wujkowski or Jan Parker
[email protected]
[email protected]
"On a horse I'm free of my disability" --John, Rider
Other therapeutic riding locations in Michigan:
Beekman Therapeutic Riding Center- Lansing, MI
OATS: Offering Alternative Therapy with Smiles- Clarkston, MI (East Side)