If you are in the Therapeutic Recreation field or some kind of field that is all about helping others, you gotta know what the word “inclusion” means. The official Oxford Dictionary definition of inclusion is “the action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure.” Everyone has their own definition of inclusion but they all fall under the same theme. Finding the best possible way to include someone in a certain situation.
Having the opportunity to be able to include people in my favorite activities is something that I am so passionate about and what I strive to do once I am Certified in Therapeutic Recreation. That is why all of my blog posts are going to relate back to inclusion some way and somehow. The therapeutic recreation field strives for inclusion for all despite any disabilities or difficulties life may throw at us. Providing inclusion is a way to prove everyone out there that we can do it and be successful too.
Growing up, I would spread inclusion even when I didn't even know that I was doing it. I always loved helping people in any way possible and knowing that I made some sort of difference in their day in a positive way. My first real site of inclusion was when I was in middle school at a softball field. I used to be an umpire for my town’s recreational softball league and this particular game was a group of 4th and 5th graders. One of the players on the team had down syndrome. Her name was Taylor and I noticed that she was leading off for one of the innings. While the other team was warming up and she was taking practice swings, I went over to her and started talking to her and getting her pumped up about her at bat. I remember the intensity she had in her eyes and how determined she was to be successful.
When it was her turn to bat, her head coach came out from the dugout to pitch her the ball. I remember the coach walking up to the mound and talking to the pitcher to tell her that he was going to pitch the ball to Taylor. The other player was very understanding from such a young age and moved over for the coach to pitch the ball. After two swings and misses, Taylor ends up hitting the ball a little bit in front of home plate. She ran as fast as she could and was safe at the bag after the catcher overthrew the ball to the first baseman. I remember vividly the loud roar from the stands and Taylor having the biggest smile on her face. I had the biggest smile on my face too and when she looked back to me I gave her a thumbs up for a good job.
I umpired Taylor for a few more games that season and I would see her occasionally throughout the school year since she was only two years younger than me. In high school, she participated in unified basketball and track. She also participated in the Special Olympics School games, where I would go to volunteer with her, From that game, we instantly became friends and would always talk about softball and other sports together. I loved spending time with her and creating a special bond that I will always cherish. She is the reason I started to learn about the importance of inclusions and shaped where I am today.
Taylor and I at my high school graduation back in 2017
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