Charlie’s Champs “Spooky Cycle”. Photo courtesy of Charlie’s Champs
Charlie’s Champs Brings Fun to Kids with Disabilities By Suzanne Driscoll When tragedy strikes, one can wallow in self-pity or decide to help make the world a better place. After their first child, Charlie, died in the womb from severe birth defects in 2016, Allie and John Benson decided they would honor her memory by helping kids with disabilities. As a full-time neurodevelopmental pediatric physical therapist, Allie works with children who can’t participate in Little League Baseball, soccer, the martial arts, etc. She and John saw a great need in the Tampa Bay area for these youngsters to have a chance to join inclusive recreational activities. Founded in 2018 as a non-profit organization, Charlie’s Champs is dedicated to providing disabled children opportunities to play with other kids in team sports and numerous outdoor activities. Adaptive equipment specific to each disability is offered to enable kids to play and be a part of organized sporting events. As funding allows, the organization also donates adaptive bicycles. “I remember one boy who received a special bike from us during the Christmas holidays,” Allie says. “My husband, who runs a construction business, dressed up like Santa Claus, and he could see the boy hiding behind a glass door. When he saw the bike he ran out
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and hopped right on it and said, ‘Santa, you came out from the mall in a truck to see me!’ He went from being completely shy to riding the bike all over the neighborhood.” There are no age limits to participate in any of Charlie’s Champs activities. “Our oldest participant is 34, and we recently had kids under 2 held by their parents on an adaptive sailing trip,” Allie says. “Kids come from all over Pinellas County, and we’ve donated bikes to children in Hillsborough County, Manatee County, Fort Myers, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.”
Charlie’s Closet Another component of Charlie’s Champs is a free equipment exchange based in the Tampa Bay area. Called Charlie’s Closet, this community assists families in donating and receiving gently used equipment and medical and feeding supplies. While having the opportunity to receive items, families also are able to donate equipment. To donate or receive equipment, you can visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/charlieschampsfl.
