‘We’re just like you’: SESDAC pairs with USD, Vermillion to change disability stereotypes

In a place where the clap of high fives is as prevalent as the thud of a bowling ball, students from the University of South Dakota and community members are teaming up with people associated with SESDAC, Inc. for a bit of friendly competition while building relationships.

Last Monday, practices for the Special Olympics Unified Bowling season started at Howler’s Bar and Grille. A unified sport is where volunteers are paired with a special needs participant to create a team and practice together.

“It’s almost as if with unified (sports) the whole label of disabilities melted away,” said Joseph Barth, day services and special olympics coordinator at SESDAC. “It presents a chance to see the person for who they are…to change that original stereotype of people with disabilities.”

Each team of bowlers coordinates schedules to practice either on Monday, Friday or Sunday at Howlers. Participants pay $3 a game and are able to rent shoes for $1.

The bowlers are preparing for the area tournament in Mitchell, where they will be matched with different teams whose average scores are at the same level as those they received in practices. Later in the season, the teams will travel to Sioux Falls to participate in the state tournament.

Unified sports attempt to create a link between people with disabilities with community members, Barth said.

“What we’re trying to push for is inclusion. Even after bowling, some people keep in contact and they end up becoming friends and going out and hanging out,” Barth said. “That’s the main thing about unified sports with special olympics — you actually know somebody in the community, it’s not just a staff person.”

Just like bowling, softball, basketball and track and field are also programs held throughout the year. Barth described bowling as the social sport, with everyone having fun and meeting new people, especially from other towns through tournaments.

Jordan Petersen is a student at SESDAC and is the bowling team’s assistant coach.

“It’s a blessing — I like to help them out, give my skills to them and hopefully it helps them,” Petersen said. “It’s a gift to watch them try.”

Petersen stressed a main goal for the organization is to make people realize that people with special needs are equal to those who don’t battle them. Last year’s petition to ban the ‘R’ word was another big step in moving toward that goal.

“We can feel safe and feel welcome in our skins,” Petersen said. “And we’re going to show them that we are good just like you, we’re people just like you. There’s no one left behind.”

Staying active, Petersen uses sports as a way to relieve stress and live life to the fullest. An an assistant coach, he attempts to share his past hardships by helping people channel their anger through sports and act as a role model for those around him.

“God was there for me and helped me out, and (sports) is the gift he gave me,” Petersen said. “This is a really awesome gift that I’ll treasure and hopefully share with people and make them feel ‘this is no time to pout or commit suicide, this is a time to shine.'”

Alexis Soldatke is a first-year majoring in elementary and special education. She was drawn to participate in the bowling season through signs around campus and a cousin who works at SESDAC.

“I thought it would be a great experience in relation to my major,” Soldatke said. “I love bowling.”

Her first practice with her partner on Friday went well and she said it was a lot of fun.

“It’s great to be able to see these people’s joy while bowling,” Soldatke said. “From my perspective, I see special education kids in the classroom so it’s cool to be able to see them doing outside activities,” Soldatke said.

As a past employee of SESDAC, junior Jade Hofer decided to participate in the unified bowling program after a previous classmate gave a presentation on a service project about organization.

“It makes me feel like I’m a part of something,” Hofer said. “No matter their circumstances, they can be happy with a smile on their face all the time. It makes me really happy to see them happy and having fun.”

Hofer has a cousin with special needs and has always been interested in working with similar people.

“It’s something that’s really cool and people can get really passionate about it if they know more about it,” Hofer said.

Looking to the future, Petersen is working on different projects to promote the organization and take it to the next level with things like t-shirts and foam fingers.

“My goal in life is to make this big,” Petersen said. “I would really appreciate people joining us from Vermillion or anywhere and sponsor Special Olympics and help us out. We’re trying to get more fans to come and watch and support us.”

(Macaulay McDonald waits in aticipation as his bowling ball flies down the alley at Howler’s Monday afternoon. Malachi Petersen|The Volante)