BERLIN, CT (WFSB) – This week’s hot temperatures won’t stop some incredible athletes from realizing their full potential.
At the Hospital for Special Care Ivan Lendl Adaptive Sports Camp in Berlin, more than 25 differently abled children and adolescents from all over the world have the opportunity to play many sports with their peers.
For some adaptive sports it’s second nature, but for others, it’s a community they’ve only dreamed of.
“When I first came to camp, it was my first time watching parasports, so it really got me interested in parasports and getting to know the community around them,” said Aiden Fecteau, camp counselor.
Nine years ago, Aiden was a shy freshman at Ivan Lendl’s adaptive sports camp. Today he is a counselor just back from winning 3rd place at the Nationals in power soccer.
“It feels like I’m actually playing a sport, I’m not like sitting in a corner watching other people do it. The court, there are a lot of people who feel the same way. There are a lot of different disabilities, a lot of people from all over the country, it’s good to know there are people out there,” Aiden said.
Tennis coach Karin Korb says that’s what this place is about: empowerment.
“You’d be surprised by all the things we’ve put forward, and the reason we put it forward is because that’s how we survive in a world that was never built for us,” said Karin Korb, a nationally recognized wheelchair tennis coach. .
Adaptive sports is a completely different ball game, with its own set of challenges.
“How do we get to camp? Do you have parents who bring you to camp? How is the transportation? How is education? Karin said.
Overcoming obstacles is the name of the game.
Even during a heat wave, kids are out here learning to adapt, integrating water and shade breaks with breaking down barriers.
Aiden says he hopes to inspire campers to never give up and always believe that anything can be achieved.
“Since I’m a college student, maybe I could tell them about college and they could probably get involved too. Because they know they can do it if I can do it,” Aiden said.
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