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Kickball game represents more than mere fun

The Daily Record - 8/6/2017

MILLERSBURG — A morning of fun and exercise for the staff of the Holmes County District Public Library, and a chance for folks from the Holmes County Training Center to do the same, will bring them all together 10 a.m. Monday as individuals and staff from the Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities will be playing kickball with staff from the library at Deer Run Park in Millersburg.

“This idea came from a presentation at the Millersburg Rotary Club in May where I discussed how services have evolved for individuals with special needs over the last 50 years,” said Marianne Mader, Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities superintendent.

“In the 1960s and ’70s, people with disabilities were not included in public schools, churches or workplaces,” Mader added. “In order to create opportunities for their loved ones with disabilities, families created programs like the Holmes County Training Center. These were places where people with disabilities learned, played and worked alongside others with disabilities.”

As people with disabilities began to thrive with opportunities to grow and develop, a civil rights movement started.

“Federal laws were put in place to ensure children with disabilities can attend public schools, adults can get help to work in the community and discrimination because of disability is against the law,” Mader said. “An area of focus for the Holmes County Board of Developmental Disabilities is to make sure the residents of Holmes County know that the adults and students who receive services from us are people, just like everyone else. They have good days and bad days. They like to laugh, play, learn and help others.

“When people with disabilities spend time with typical people, positive relationships can develop,” she continued. “Community is built when all are included.”

After her presentation to the Millersburg Rotary, Mader invited members to consider their sphere of influence to see how they could include and/?or interact with people with disabilities.

“Bill Martino, director of the Holmes County Public Library, suggested a game of kickball,” she said. “That’s what the kickball game is about, people getting together to have fun.”

Martino noted Monday is perfect for the game, because the library will be closed for cleaning.

“We really enjoy having such a great relationship with the Training Center,” Martino said. “It will be great to see some of them outside of the professional realm. Further, this will be a great chance for our staff to meet their staff and hopefully further our collective working partnership. Plus, it will be nice to destroy them in kickball.”

It’s not clear that Martino knows who he is dealing with.

“Who knows, if this goes well maybe we will be challenging other businesses and groups in Holmes County to a game,” she said.

The Training Center Bucks have a 20-year winning streak against the Community All-Stars, so the library staff better bring their big booties.

Reporter Kevin Lynch can be reached at 330-674-5676 or klynch@the-daily-record.com.

CREDIT: KEVIN LYNCH

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