Sports360AZStory by: Amy Wolff, United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona
On Dec. 18, more than 50 kids with disabilities and their families got the chance of a lifetime to play basketball on the same court as the Phoenix Suns, thanks to United Cerebral Palsy of Central Arizona and the Steven Hunter Youth Foundation.
The second annual United for Autism and Cerebral Palsy inclusive basketball event provided an opportunity for children with motor disabilities, like cerebral palsy, and developmental disabilities, like autism, to learn adaptive basketball skills, interact with professional and collegiate athletes, fraternize with peers, and play ball on the Phoenix Suns court.
For Valley families who have a child with a disability, participating in a sports camp may not be attainable because of physical limitations or sensory overload concerns. This specialized and unique basketball curriculum was developed to give kids with disabilities a chance to learn basketball skills, work with other children and just have fun being a kid without a label.
Steven Hunter played center for the Phoenix Suns during the 2004-05 season and has a 12-year-old son, Blaise, who was diagnosed with autism when he was three. According to the CDC, approximately 1 in 36 children in the U.S. are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder each year.
Cerebral palsy is the most common motor disorder in childhood. According to the CDC, approximately 10,000 babies are born in the U.S. with cerebral palsy each year (1 in 345.) Studies show 41% of children with cerebral palsy are limited in their ability to crawl, walk, run and play. Additionally, more than 30% need to use special equipment, such as walkers or wheelchairs, for increased mobility.
For more information visit https://ucpofcentralaz.org/ and https://www.shbatraining.com/
