Okulska is executive director of Kids Enjoy Exercise Now in the D.C. area. For 18 years KEEN has offered sports and activities to disabled children. How did you get involved with this organization?
I read an article in 2001 about KEEN and got really excited about its mission. There are a few things that resonated with me. First, the programs are completely free of charge for families. KEEN is also a truly volunteer organization. We have 19 programs and all are run by volunteers. KEEN has an incredible impact on the community.
What types of disabled children does KEEN work with?
Most importantly, we accept every child. But most of our kids have either autism, cerebral palsy or Down syndrome. Many of these athletes aren’t accepted in sports anywhere else.
How do you think sports and outdoor activities effect the athletes?
It’s an incredible impact on the kids because many don’t have a connection with the community. KEEN is an opportunity to be with other families and kids in the community. There are children who love to run around and play basketball or soccer, and there are others who need some encouragement. But this isn’t therapy, we don’t force them to do an activity they don’t want to. We just want the athletes to have a good time and be in a friendly atmosphere.
What do you hope participants gain from these experiences?
For the athletes, the hope is they have a good time and exercise. It is also important for these kids to build self-esteem and friendships. Athletes can stay in the program for up to 20 years, making this their team and their social life. The volunteers learn from working with the athletes. Many volunteers change their perceptions on challenges in life, and have changing values after working with the kids. The families get some rest time where they can grocery shop or read a book knowing their children are in a safe environment. The kids are accepted here, and we try to play and work with every child.
— Kristen Byrne
