Center for Disabilities and Development Host Two Inclusive Family Events (IA UCEDD)

July 25, 2016

The Center for Disabilities and Development, Iowa's University Center for Excellence on Disabilities hosted two inclusive family events in early June. Both events allowed children of all abilities and their siblings to come together to enjoy the outdoors. Fish Day was a joint effort between CDD, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and CAST for Kids Foundation. Families spent the day fishing; the DNR stocked the pond so everyone was able to catch a fish or two. Easter Seals provided adaptive fishing equipment to meet all participants' needs.

The second event, Football Day was a partnership with the Iowa Football Club. University of Iowa alumni football players treated families to a once in a lifetime opportunity of learning what it's like to be an Iowa Hawkeye football player by running drills on the field of historic Kinnick Stadium.

"Thanks so much for all the hard put into this last week. You provided experiences for my children that I would never have been able to do. All three of my children are very high functioning and at times do not have the same opportunities to be successful. They were successful this week. I haven't seen these types of proud smiles on their faces for a long time." - Jessica Mullenix, mother of Mike, Alex and Chris Mullenix.