Julie Hagen started the "iCan Hoop" project in March, 2011. Her inspiration was her son, Lucas, who was born with Down syndrome. Having played basketball for her high school team and then for Moorhead State University, Julie places a lot of importance on fitness; she felt the same opportunities to play the game should be made available to children with special needs. The iCan Hoop project now serves children with a wide range of cognitive challenges, physical disabilities or both.She set off to secure facilities and volunteers. Most of the practice buddies are actually high school-aged kids willing to spend a couple hours helping their designated partners through exercises and basketball practice. Every child gets quality one-on-one time with their practice helper.
So why did I write about iCan Hoop? Because Julie Hagen uncovered a need, and solved it; not just for her son, but for dozens of other families, too. With little fanfare (and a shoestring budget), iCan Hoop provides important social and fitness opportunities for kids with special needs. And it provides great citizenship opportunities for their helpers. This is a great lesson in simple human service.
The iCan Hoop project is now a part of the West Metro Miracle League. For more information, visit http://www.westmetromiracleleague.org/. If you'd like to see each of the postings about iCan Hoop, click here. If you'd like to return to the home page of A Kind Eye, click here.
So why did I write about iCan Hoop? Because Julie Hagen uncovered a need, and solved it; not just for her son, but for dozens of other families, too. With little fanfare (and a shoestring budget), iCan Hoop provides important social and fitness opportunities for kids with special needs. And it provides great citizenship opportunities for their helpers. This is a great lesson in simple human service.The iCan Hoop project is now a part of the West Metro Miracle League. For more information, visit http://www.westmetromiracleleague.org/. If you'd like to see each of the postings about iCan Hoop, click here. If you'd like to return to the home page of A Kind Eye, click here.
