Unified Sports Making an Impact

UNIFIED SPORTS

Making an IMPACT

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BY MCKENZIE POTTER

In high school, students have several choices as to which sport or sports they can play. Before 2008, students with disabilities were limited in how much they could participate with other student-athletes. But all of that changed when the State of Maryland passed a law in 2008 that required Maryland public schools to provide equal athletic opportunities for students with disabilities. Maryland partnered with Special Olympics and created interscholastic unified sports programs across the state.

Unified Sports was created to be an inclusive sports program that unites Special Olympics athletes (individuals with intellectual disabilities) and partners (individuals without intellectual disabilities) as teammates for training and competition. Every athlete has a partner that they work with in either fitness (strength & conditioning), tennis, or bocce ball. They compete locally and then face off in the state championships. There were byproducts from the law, aside from equal rights and a greater opportunity for healthy lifestyles. While this was developed to help those with special needs, it is obvious after speaking with many students from North Dorchester and James M. Bennett that it helped those that decided to partner too.

Megan Price was a partner for the North Dorchester bocce ball team and decided to be a part of it because of the opportunity to help students with disabilities. “I really enjoy meeting the students and it puts a smile on my face when I see them enjoying themselves,” remarked Price. She continued by adding that she “encourages other students to be involved with Unified Sports because it allows you to be a good role model for your peers and shows that students with disabilities should not be treated any differently than your friends.”

North Dorchester’s Paige Hison got involved with Unified Sports because her brother has special needs. Paige encourages students to get involved with Unified Sports because “it is an eye-opening experience and can change your perspective on many things.” She continued, saying “I have learned to be myself and not care what others think, all while teaching kindness.” She finished by adding “I love how inclusive the teams are in

Unified Sports and how we all celebrate the success of others. Being a part of this has made me want to stand up on their behalf and advocate for inclusion.”

" I LOVE HOW INCLUSIVE THE TEAMS ARE, AND HOW WE ALL CELEBRATE THE SUCCESS OF OTHERS "

Evan Smith attends James M. Bennett and decided to be a partner for unified strength and conditioning as his 11th grade winter sport. At first he wanted to join to stay active between football and lacrosse seasons, but he quickly learned that it was so much more than just staying active. “I discovered that everyone has a gift and we all have something that we are good at,” proclaimed Smith. While a member of the team, Smith built upon his leadership skills and was rewarded by the experience and fun that the team had together.

Bennett freshman Jordan Reading echoed much the same but he quickly “realized that it is not always about being the best but instead it was more about doing the best of your ability.” Reading added that “it is important for all of the students to know that everyone needs help at some point and helping others will always make you feel good.”

“It’s given the opportunity to kids who potentially wouldn’t interact during the day and has given them an activity they

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can do together,” said Stosh Schtierman, Athletic Director for Wicomico County High School.

North Dorchester sophomore Hunter Cale concurs, saying “Unified Sports pairs up students you don’t normally associate with and it taught me to never underestimate what someone can do based on what they look like. Anyone can play a sport no matter what obstacles they face.”

Bennett freshman Riley Bozman was asked how being on this team changed how she viewed others. She answered with a common theme from our interviews: “I now see all people as equals. There were some people I didn’t believe would do well but they actually did, teaching me to accept all people and to not judge a book by its cover.”

When asked why they signed up to play Unified Sports, many students did so in order to stay active. But the life lessons they learned will help them be better people in their community. Freshman Kennedy Hudson from JM Bennett said “I have more respect for disabled athletes and kids in general. I saw how hard people work for a team and it changed the way I see different athletes.”

After hearing what student athletes had to say about Unified Sports, I encourage every student to get involved. The rewarding experience can teach you so many lessons that can be used in everyday life.

North Dorchester freshman Lauren Webster says to “do it! It is so much fun and is a great experience.”

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