Maccabi All Abilities workshop kicks goals
In sport, it’s not always the score that matters the most as a recent Maccabi All Abilities program showed.
Wentworth Courier
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Sometimes in sport it is the smiles that count, not the score.
The friendships and connections made that are more important than the win.
It is why a recent Maccabi All Abilities ‘Lets Kick It’ football workshop, used to change perceptions and create change in the world of disability and sport, proved a winner with its attendees.
Angie Kreohnert said son Max, 7, who is autistic, loved the day despite originally being resistant to going.
It bought a smile to Max’s face. It bought a smile to our face.
“There is nothing like this program. Everywhere you turn there is a program for regular kids and special need kids but none for both of them,” Kreohnert said.
“In the real world, when my son graduates from school, he needs to integrate into mainstream society so to have a program now that helps with this is amazing.
“As we drove there he was saying ‘I hate soccer, I’m not doing it’.
“The moment he walked in, seriously 20 seconds it took, he was kicking the ball. It was great.
“You don’t have to have a child with a disability to do the program. It builds confidence. It’s a safe zone.
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“It’s a way of integrating into society. But in a safe environment.
“It bought a smile to Max's face. It bought a smile to our face.”
The objective of Maccabi All Abilities is to create change on and off the sports field by breaking down the barriers and stereotypes of those living with disabilities and promoting social inclusion within their programs.
Helping build a more diverse and inclusive sporting community are programs like ‘Let’s Kick It’ where children of all abilities play sport together.
Romi Wolman and daughter Mila, 12, who has cerebral palsy, attended and were won over by the program.
“She loved it,” Wolman said.
“To have this all abilities is quite rare.
They got a soccer kit and she loved it. It gave her a sense of team and belonging.
“Most of the special needs (programs) are geared towards intellectually disable. She feels in between because she is physically disabled.
“To have something integrated and mixed is just wonderful. To normalise it, to make it acceptable. Inclusion is not a word. It’s an action.
“She agreed to go. That is an accomplishment. And she participated. Every small little thing is amazing.
“There were two little girls who weren’t disabled and they all played together.
“They got a soccer kit and she loved it. It gave her a sense of team and belonging.’’
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