Challenged Sports Exchange Welcomes All

The young batter swings awkwardly. “Pop!” Wood hitting leather surprises him. His head tilts upward and backward revealing dark, wide eyes beneath a red baseball cap and dirty blonde bangs. His solemn face erupts into a beaming smile that cannot hide his pride and excitement. Stunned, he forgets what comes next, until the crowd yells “Go!” and he begins his journey to first base. Inspired by cheers from the crowd, the batter slowly makes his way and finally reaches his destination…on his hands and knees.
Unable to walk, the triumphant batter crawls to first base. Wearing braces on his legs and hand crutches up to his forearms, the batter resembles young Forrest Gump from the beloved movie. He forgets his disability for a moment, and is focused on his goal.
Victories like this one are common through the Challenged Sports Exchange (CSE) program in Lynchburg, Virginia. “It’s all about fun,” says co-founder James Monaghan. The program allows special needs children and adults the opportunity to experience the thrill of sports in a supportive, positive atmosphere. Founded 17 years ago by Monaghan and Mike Ion, the CSE now offers twelve months of sports activities. “It’s therapy, hard work, but mostly fun,” adds co-founder Monaghan.
A vivacious seven-year-old confined to a wheelchair since birth charmed Ion years ago. Cerebral palsy constricted Jamie’s muscles and drew his head to the side, but the resolute youngster was determined to join the peewee football team Ion coached. The
boy’s speech was difficult to understand when the two first met, but Ion grew to understand Jamie, as did the other players on his team. His spirit and tenacity inspired them.
Ion and Monaghan then initiated a baseball team specifically for children with various disabilities originally based on a Little League of America program. That was the beginning of what is now a comprehensive twelve-month menu of sports activities for both disable children and adults.
“Life is simple. People complicate it,” says Monaghan. “When we see that smile on a face, we know we are doing our job.”
They are currently making plans to expand locally and eventually to spread elsewhere.