BEDFORD COUNTY, Va. – A new program in Bedford County is ensuring no child is sidelined from playing sports, no matter their ability.
Bedford County Parks and Recreation Athletic Coordinator, A.J. Lacy is the one who came up with the idea for the Bedford County Adaptive Sports Program.
It’s helping children like six-year-old Eli Dudley who is non-verbal and a wheelchair user.
“It’s something we definitely didn’t imagine how it was going to happen, but we wanted it to happen,” said Eli’s dad, Matt Dudley.
“Seeing him have fun and just having that normal kid experience that every kid deserves,” he added.
The program started last year with around seven kids playing basketball, then expanded to soccer, and has now grown to 25 kids playing baseball this spring.
“When I was in high school, I was a teacher assistant for Ms. Snyder, and she did a special needs P.E. class and when I got the job at Parks and Rec., I knew that’s exactly what I wanted to do with it,” said Lacy.
The team’s name: the Warriors.
They group practices every Sunday with Coach Amanda Craig.
“It just brings the love of the sport back. Getting down to it’s not competitive. It’s just for fun. It reminds me of when I was a little kid, playing outside with all my little friends and that’s exactly what it’s like,” said Craig.
Not only is the program putting a smile on Eli’s face and other kids like him, but also their own families, like Eli’s dad.
“Kind of a tearful moment when I first saw him out on the t-ball field and in his little uniform,” said Dudley.