Movin’ and Groovin’

Imperial Valley parents build programs for kids with disabilities

Jackie Riddell’s son Killian safely played in the recreational baseball program for as long as he could. His needs were greater than those of his peers, so Jackie knew he needed something different. As part of the Calipatria Little League in Imperial Valley, Riddell started a Challenger Division, an inclusive program that teaches traditional Little League rules with less structured play for kids who need to use adaptive equipment, more time to get to the bases, or social breaks.

When soccer season came, Riddell formed her own team of seven players and discovered another team of kids with special needs in nearby Calexico, run by mom Paulette Ramirez. Ramirez was initially concerned that the physical needs of the two teams were too different for cooperative play, but after a season of playing separately, the two groups merged to form the Goleros Soccer Team. In two years, they have grown from 14 to 32 players and have watched student confidence skyrocket.

The enthusiastic moms formed the nonprofit Best S.T.E.P. Forward and looked for their next outlet. “We have always tried to incorporate music into training,” says Riddell, “so we thought we’d start a dance group.” Other parents were skeptical because none of them were dancers, but they noticed that the kids were already starting to express themselves through music. One parent’s adult daughter is a DJ who loves to dance. She put together a YouTube channel with music and dance lessons, and the kids met in person twice a week to practice her choreography. The ADM Dreamers Dance Crew has been their most popular program with 45 participants. They even performed at the Cattle Call Mini Rodeo in front of thousands. “It was amazing,” says Ramirez, “the kids loved it!”

When asked what’s next for the kids from Best S.T.E.P., Riddell says the nonprofit hopes to form a theater troupe. Killian has echolalia resulting from Autism, so he scripts much of what he communicates and easily memorizes anything musical. He is not the only Best S.T.E.P. participant who likes to express himself through performance, so they anticipate a lot of kids will sign up when health regulations allow.

In Brawley, the Cattle Call Rodeo and parade has been a beloved staple for years. Julie Reeves saw the opportunity for a smaller, shorter, inclusive event dedicated to children with disabilities and their friends and family. Reeves starts coordinating the invitation-only Cattle Call Mini Rodeo in the summer. All reservations must be made by mid-September for the November show. Attendees cite the hometown, grassroots feel, the kids’ love of rodeo clowns and the chance to connect with other Imperial Valley families as reasons they look forward to the event all year. It was postponed in 2020 due to COVID-19, but the ADM Crew is hoping 2021 brings another opportunity to see friends, show off their moves and hopefully take home another trophy for their parade float.

There’s always room for more friends and volunteers! For information about these fun programs, visit the Imperial Valley section of Flourishing Families and look under Recreation.

Emily Dolton is a resource specialist, artist and mom of two, one with 22q 11.2 Deletion Syndrome.

flourishing families 2021 • SanDiegofamily.com • SNRFSD.org •