July 12, 2017
Playing for all
Around Town
Girl Scouts collect personal care items for families in need. P.2 Community Living, Inc. provides clients with technology devices. P.3
Healthy Living Preventing and treating lung cancer. P.4
School Two Wentzville educators selected as finalists for presidential teaching award. P.8
Learn & Play
Pictured (from left) are Lauren Krebs, Meghan Morgan, Kelly Behlmann and Jenny Parker at DASA headquarters in St. Peters.
Photo by Ray Rockwell
Disabled Athlete Sports Association marks 20th year of getting everyone into the game By Brett Auten Back in 1997, Kelly Behlmann was just trying to make it through that first week. Fast forward to today and her creation, DASA (Disabled Athlete Sports Association), is celebrating its 20th year in existence. Behlmann’s official title is Executive Director but she is more like the heart, brain and soul of DASA. “I never envisioned it getting this big,” Behlmann said. “It has been a wonderful adventure.” Back when she launched DASA, Behlmann dreamed of providing an affordable service to her “kiddos” that emphasized the abilities each child had rather than focusing on their disabilities. Located in St. Peters, DASA’s mission and vision is that all of those who live with a physical, visual disability, or deaf or hard of hearing, will be given the opportunity to participate in sports and fitness activities designed to improve self-esteem, growth and well-being while instilling family values. While DASA maintains its original goals
and core values, the organization has since expanded into a successful sports club, grooming national champions, international record-breakers and Paralympic gold-medalists. Along the way, DASA has also started community education programs, personal care training and social outlets for youth with disabilities – as well as their families. DASA is a nonprofit organization and its athletes are encouraged to seek their highest level of independence and become involved to the fullest extent with their non-disabled peers and their community as a whole. Its programs introduce both children and adults to activities that promote physical fitness, self-confidence, family values and a positive, team-building environment designed to encourage personal growth throughout all aspects of life. The slow and steady growth came via word of mouth from its athletes which eventually trickled to physicians and therapists. It has grown to the point to where DASA has a staff of six full-time coaches/exercise therapists, year-round programs and hundreds of volunteers.
Alana Treppler, a St. Peters resident, is one of DASA’s cheerleaders. Treppler has had her daughter Lauretta involved in DASA for seven years. “At first I was very skeptical,” Treppler said. “I was very protective of Lauretta.” Lauretta, who is 15, has tried pretty much every program available from archery and tennis to functional fitness and swimming. She was born with an underdeveloped cerebellum which affects her gross and fine motor skills. Three years ago Lauretta delved into the Functional Fitness program and her confidence has grown exponentially along the way. “They never cut (Lauretta) any slack, which I love,” Treppler said. “It’s how you have to be. You can’t baby these babies. She gets treated like a typically developed child. They make her bust her butt while she has fun. DASA has exceeded my expectations. Kelly, the coaches, the volunteers genuinely love the DASA kids. It’s like having a family of 300.” See PLAYING page 2
Serving St. Louis, St. Charles, and Lincoln Counties | FREE Online at mycnews.com | Vol. 19 No. 28 | 636-379-1775
Pop-ular summer snacks. P.11
Movie
‘Girls Trip’ is one lousy vacation. P.16
Weather FRIDAY Chance of Storms 89/70 SATURDAY Mostly Sunny 90/68 SUNDAY Sunny; Spot Storms 92/68 FirstWarn Weather
prepared by meteorologist Nick Palisch. For the latest updates visit www.facebook.com/nickswx.