Dozens of young people hit the gridiron for drills with Washington Redskins players and volunteers at a clinic by to get on the field and have fun with their peers.
Smiles and cheers were aplenty at Redskins Park in Ashburn, Virginia, as four groups rotated through different stations to run drills and practice catching and throwing footballs.
There were also plenty of water breaks, too. Even inside the indoor practice bubble and with cool air blowing into the facility, the heat wave鈥檚 tentacles didn鈥檛 let up.
Current and former Redskins players were there to coach the participants.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a different expression and joy to see these kids out here who society kind of puts in a box, but with this kind of opportunity, it totally knocks them outside that box,鈥� said former Redskin player and current defensive quality control coach Kyshoen Jarrett.
Jarrett told 海角社区app he understands the experiences of families here. He was raised by a single mom and is the youngest of four.
鈥淢y mom also had to raise a child with multiple disabilities, so I understand the stresses, I understand the struggle. I understand the ups and downs of it and that is what makes [this event] that much more important for me,鈥� said Jarrett, who is also a Dreams for Kids DC ambassador.
Jarrett has an older 鈥渂rother with cerebral palsy, who is fully dependent” and blind.
鈥淛ust being able to come out and see the smile on the kids’ faces, on the parents’ faces, the sense of relief on the parents鈥� faces, it connects to me that much more deeply, knowing my personal experience as well,鈥� he said.
Local involvement and service are other important aspects for Redskins players:
鈥淚 just think it鈥檚 important to give back to the community that gives so much to you,鈥� said Offensive Guard Wes Martin.
Christie Raupp of Springfield, Virginia, was there with her 11-year-old son Miles. She said he had uncontrollable seizures when he was younger, and had the left hemisphere of his brain removed. Raupp also described Miles as a people person who really loves life.
鈥淒reams for Kids is perfect for us because it lets him do what other kids probably are able to do 鈥� but with a little bit of a difference in it.鈥�
Parents also enjoyed the unspoken understanding at the clinic.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a very active child and a lot of people don鈥檛 get him, so I think here he鈥檚 a free bird, if you will,鈥� said Waynetta Martin of Dumphries, Virginia.
Sometimes there are eye-opening moments as well.
鈥淥ftentimes the parents are very surprised with comments of 鈥業 didn鈥檛 know my kid had that in them.鈥� Seeing that is very powerful,鈥� said John Darvish, president and CEO of DARCARS, one of the event’s sponsors.
