It was all splashes and smiles at this Summer's So Kids SOAR (formerly Dreams for Kids DC) adaptive water sports clinic!
Despite a little bit of rain we still had 30 kids with special abilities out on the water. This was our 12th year running this adaptive water sports clinic alongside On The Edge CF, Hoffmasters Marina I Joseph Paul Hoffmaster, Robert Kasper, Lake of the Woods Adaptive Water Sports Foundation, Prince William Marina, Chess Marine Sales, with support form annual grantor Robert Boyd Kennedy and the Arnold F Baggins Foundation and 2022 presenting sponsor Hallie Bulkin - Little Sprout Therapy & Metro Myo LLC, but our first one back since the pandemic. It was a special day. And being able to create memories like the one below is why So Kids SOAR exists.
"I wanted to extend my gratitude for all of the work you put into today's event. All of the volunteers were absolutely amazing, calm and encouraging. Jack had a Bruce Banner to The Hulk moment before getting on the boat and during our first attempt to get him up on skis. He had self-injurious behaviors and aggression towards me and the only reason I felt compelled to persevere and keep trying was because I knew I was in a judgement-free zone of amazing people. We did it! It took extra time, patience, and some strategy implementation but in the end Jack had a successful ride. I know everyone could have been doing something else with their time today but they chose to do this and my eyes are filled with tears as I write this. Thank you to everyone there today for all of your help and support to give differently-abled people opportunities they would not otherwise be offered."
- Julie Mishkin, mother of Jack Mishkin at 7/9/22 Water Sports Clinic