I Can! Dance: Arguably Community Connections’ most popular class, I Can! Dance is offered at locations in Hot Springs, Little Rock, North Little Rock/Sherwood and Conway. Started by Julie Mayberry as an outlet for her dance-loving daughter with Spina bifida, the troupe has now auditioned for America’s Got Talent and performed at Disney World. And everyone, no matter the severity of their disabilities, is included. Local youth volunteer to help out as dance “buddies,” assisting immobile children in raising their arms, keeping attention-deficit kids on task or rolling dancers’ wheelchairs as they perform. Ages 4 and up. RUFL Football: The Rivals United Flag Football League provides disabled football fans a chance to get into the huddle and become part of a team. Every fall season, RUFL partners with Little Rock’s city league for typical children, Life Champs, and groups players into teams for Monday-night football games and practices. Kids run drills and take turns at key positions, such as quarterback, running back, defensive linemen, kicker and more. The league has teams in Little Rock and Conway. Ages 5 and up. Showstoppers Cheerleading: A therapist and cheer coach started this special squad and recruited her high school competitive team as volunteers.
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Youngsters with physical or learning disabilities can become part of an inclusive sports team, take the spotlight in a pageant, romp on an accessible playground and more. Cheerleaders learn routines and cheers during workshops, and don uniforms to perform. In the past, the squad has inspired audiences at both state and national competitions. Squads available in Little Rock and Conway. Ages 4 and up. TOP Soccer: Held in the spring, the inclusive soccer program invites little ones as young as 3 years old to participate. Children are divided by age and ability to ensure that every player becomes an integral part of a team. After six weeks of practice, kids show off their new skills on the field in a final game. Ages 3 and up. The Miracle League is a baseball league for any child with a diagnosis, from the high-functioning kid to the immobile child in need of constant care. What makes the sports league truly unique is the Miracle League baseball diamond. Two fields—one in Little Rock and the other in Northwest Arkansas—are constructed from a cushy recycled tire product that helps to break children’s falls, as well as accommodate wheelchairs and walkers. Visit miracleleaguear. com to register for the 2012 season. Ages 4 and up. A Very Special Pageant also debuted in the spring of 2011. The event for Hot Springs-area children who receive special education-services was organized by Fountain Lake Special Education Teacher Angela Donley and will be held in the school’s auditorium once again this March. The pageant is completely free, and participants are only required to bring their own gowns and outfits—and talent! Donley says that the optional talent portion was
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