Abilities on Display in First Special Needs Softball Event
Written by Paul Graif on 3 October 2022
The Kahnawake Mixed Softball League, along with the Minor Baseball Association, held a very special game on Saturday in Kahnawake. It was a game for special needs athletes in the community. It began at Noon at the Hospital Ballfield with several coaches from Kahnawake Minor Baseball volunteering to host a skills clinic. Then the 18 athletes took part in a game.
“The parents that were watching their children play and the coordinators and the activities, I did see a few tears that were shed,” said Ryan Montour, who helped organize the first ever Kahnawake Special Needs Softball Day. “The excitement and the enthusiasm in these special athletes, players, just made everybody’s day out there. They were having so much fun. To be part of something, for once in their lives, that the community of Kahnawake could be proud of, it was really a fantastic moment.”
Connecting Horizons helped with the planning. “Saturday went absolutely amazing,” said Iris Phillips, the Advocacy coordinator with Connecting Horizons. “It was a perfect day for a perfect event. It absolutely was mind blowing how much support there was for all the athletes. You could not wipe the smiles off their faces.”
Afterwards all of the athletes received medals. The groups are already planning another softball day next season. They are also working on some other events around the community.
