his specially added solo moves!” Bishop notes that their new state
of the art studio space includes a sensory room for dancers who
need it.
Role Models
Mason says sports camps are a great way for kids to experi-
ence a slew of activities they might not otherwise get to try. They
may also meet other kids with the same disability. “That was really
important for me,” she says. “I found role models — older kids
who were also visually impaired — and I thought, ‘If they can do
that, so can I.’ I became a lot more confident.”
Mason has come full circle. She’s a busy graduate student,
and lives at the U.S. goalball training complex where she and her
teammates train several hours a day. And she’s now a mentor for
a younger set of players, watching them gain confidence and skill
both on and off the court. “I’m looking forward to 2020, the Para-
lympic Games in Tokyo,” she says, smiling. “I really want gold
this time!”
* Goalball is played exclusively by athletes who are blind or vi-
sually impaired. Players must wear opaque eyeshades at all times
ensuring fair competition. Teams are made up of six players, with
three members playing at any one time. The object of the game is
to throw a ball past the opponents and into their net to score points.
Players stay on their hands and knees to defend their net and score
against their opponents. Source: www.paralympic.org/goalball
Ashley Talmadge is a freelance writer and mom to a child with
special needs. As a former teacher of the visually impaired, she has
fond memories of hiking and snow tubing with her young students.
Cradle Beach is a residential summer camp
that serves children with special needs and children from
economically challenged backgrounds aged 8-16 years old.
Camp Sessions begin on June 30th .
Five sessions, 8-10 days each.
To register for Summer Camp, go to www.cradlebeach.org or
call Admissions at (716) 549-6307 ext.205
8038 Old Lakeshore Road, Angola, NY 14006
(716) 549-6307 • www.cradlebeach.org
RESOURCES
Parent Network of Western New York
www.parentnetworkwny.org/resource-library/
printable-materials/
Click on: “The 2019 Recreation Directory”
Danceability, Inc.
2365 George Urban Blvd.
Depew, NY 14043
716-651-0094
www.danceabilityinc.com
Their 12th Annual Performance will be held at 11am,
3pm & 6:30pm on Saturday, May 11, 2019 at Am-
herst Middle School. It’s a great family event and
tickets can be purchased at the door!
Buffalo Therapeutic Riding Center
950 Amherst Street
Buffalo, New York 14216
716-877-9295
www.thebtrc.org
Visit their website to see videos and meet their
horses and instructors!
April 2019 WNY Family 39