Allied health students assist with Little League
 Participating in the Challenger Little League, physical therapy student Aaron Miguel coaches a disabled child around the bases. |
Students from the School of Allied Health Professions recently helped out in a baseball league organized for physically and mentally challenged children. The Challenger Little League at Bryn Mawr Elementary School in Loma Linda gave children ages 5 to 18 a chance to participate in the game.
"Our motto is, 'Every kid deserves to play,'" says league organizer Cerise Bender, department secretary for occupational therapy. "Our basic principle is to give them a chance and treat them like every other kid."
The players, some in wheelchairs or using walkers, were assisted by approximately 20 students from the departments of physical and occupational therapy. Students received credit toward their degrees by helping the players swing bats, field grounders, and run the bases.
The Challengers' first game was in the spring, shortly after Ms. Bender and her husband, Kevin, organized the group.
The Benders' main goal was to bring awareness to the community that children with special needs do not need to remain on the sidelines.
San Bernardino and Rancho Cucamonga are the only other cities in the area that offer Little League programs for disabled children.