4th annual Alle-Kiski Inclusion Games a hit; highlights need for events for kids with special needs

Dylan Martin answered quickly when asked his favorite part of the Alle-Kiski Inclusion Games, held Saturday afternoon in Lower Burrell.

“This one,” said the 11-year-old from New Kensington, pointing to the soccer ball and goal, and then pointing to the obstacle course, croquet set-up, ring toss and cornhole.

“He can’t make a choice,” said his mother, Amy Martin. “It’s all fun for him today, and that’s a good thing.”

The fourth annual Alle-Kiski Inclusion Games were held at K-9 Officer Derek Kotecki Park.

The free event provides children with special needs the opportunity to participate in outdoor games with others like them, said organizer Courtney Kobelenske of Lower Burrell.

Kobelenske started the games after recognizing a need for such activities for children with special needs in the area. Her daughter, Cora, is on the autism spectrum and suffers from muscular issues that prevent her from participating in many traditional activities.

There were about 35 children that participated in the games this year, Kobelenske said. With Cora having graduated from Burrell High School in the spring, a generation of children and families new to Kobelenske attended the Inclusion Games for the first time.

One of those families were Ceceliarose Brumfield of North Versailles and her son Toby, 7.

Toby has autism and attends the Western Pennsylvania School of the Deaf.

Brumfield said there’s a “huge need” for events geared toward children with special needs. Sometimes, they’ve attended events where other children may get frustrated with Toby because it may take a longer time for him to do things, she said.

“This gives him the opportunity to feel comfortable,” she said. “He feels very included. It’s very important to me to give him these experiences with kids with special needs, so he doesn’t feel left out.”

Christina Kunz of Cheswick said her daughter, Emma, 11, wanted to attend the games to reconnect with friend Caroline Lash. The two met at a “Cupcake Camp” for children with special needs at Kobelenske’s business, Cora Lee Cupcakes in New Kensington, earlier this month; Caroline is Kobelenske’s niece.

It’s rewarding to watch her daughter form friendships with others, Kunz said.

“There’s not a lot of programming in our area for children with special needs,” Kunz said.

The games also drew a slew of volunteers, including members of the Lower Burrell Police Department and the Burrell High School boys soccer team.

Theo Watson, a sophomore on the soccer team, said it’s rewarding to see the community come together for a good cause.

“It’s so everyone feels they have a safe place, wherever they go,” said Theo, 15. “It’s better for us to be with each other; we can experience it together.”

Amy Martin said she was impressed by the support from volunteers.

“They’re supporting and cheering (Dylan) on the entire time,” she said. “That means a lot for a special needs parent to see, the community rallying around them.”

Kobelenske said the event is not only enjoyable for the participants but also the volunteers.

“I hope they all get the same feeling I get, that everyone wants to be included,” she said. “My hope is when they go out in the world tomorrow, and see people that are a little bit different, they can see them and recognize them for who they are.

”You don’t have to be afraid to go up and say, ‘How are you?’ or ‘Hi.’ ”

Kobelenske said she’s got no plans of pausing the event.

“I get excited,” she said, “because they get excited.”