Games for Very Special Students

They seemed to come from different ends of the athletic spectrum, but when Edison High School’s football team and special-education students met in the gym, they ran up and down the basketball court with equal abandon.

The 80 or so students from each group got together last week for a picnic and to play games, including Frisbee and football tossing. The event was part of a community service program conceived by Athletic Director Bruce Belcher and football Coach Dave White.

They were searching for a project to get the school’s football players more involved in the community, then realized that what they sought was right on campus. Students from Huntington Beach Union High School District with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other conditions attend classes in the school’s Special Abilities Cluster.

“We see them around school,” said Brian Water, a 17-year-old senior tight end and defensive end. “Now that we know them, we’ll be able to talk with them.”

Special-education teacher Susan Cataldo said that, after some initial trepidation, the two sides hit it off. The interaction helped get her students off the sidelines, she said, and taught the football players: “Don’t be afraid, don’t stand back. They’re like everybody else. Treat them like a peer.”

“I’m having a great time,” said an out-of-breath Jeff Acker, just off the basketball court. The 17-year-old Special Abilities junior from Rossmoor said he enjoyed shooting hoops, throwing the Frisbee and just meeting the football players. “They were nice guys. This was a special day.”

Water said he and his teammates had eagerly anticipated the opportunity.

“We’ve never done anything like this,” he said. “The kids are just neat kids, and a lot of them are pretty good athletes. I had a good time.”

For the football team, White said, there are benefits because “we’re going to realize how fortunate we are and get the gift of giving.”

As one of his players passed by, pushing a fellow student’s wheelchair and chatting with him, Belcher said he enjoyed “seeing some of our kids who have a rough exterior show a gentler side.” He said the coaches hope to make such get-togethers regular events.

“I think it was a good experience,” said Paco Windrath, 17, a senior offensive and defensive lineman. “I know they enjoyed it,” he said of the special students. “They play basketball better than me. They were stomping on me.”