Please donate to help support the good work being done within Albion in the Community's Disability Project.

WHAT THE DISBAILITY PROJECT AIMS TO ACHIEVE

Albion in the Community Disability Project works to meet national and regional objectives with both disability organisations and sports organisations, including national governing bodies.  This area of the scheme currently receives some funding from sports charities but is working to make a comprehensive sustainable structure for disability football across .Albion in the Community is held nationally to be an example of good practise in Disability Sport, however despite some funding, it relies on sponsorship, donations and the good will of volunteers to provide the service that it does to the disabled community and their families and carers. Through the inspirational power of football the project offers:

• Social integration and inclusion
• Raises confidence and self esteem
• Encourages friendships
• Creates a sense of belonging
• Understanding everyday basic rules: turn taking and sharing
• Improved life skills
• Awareness of disability issues
• Coach education
• Support for parents and siblings
• Improves physical skills and coordination
• Meeting disabled persons’ aspirations in both coaching and playing
• Providing positive role models
• Chance to play football in a safe secure environment

HOW THE DISABILITY PROJECT HAS HELPED

“My son has had many different problems over the years, he has right sided hemiplegia distonyia, diabetes type 1, hearing loss to both ears and learning difficulties which means he still struggles to read and write.

He was always a happy baby, but as he started to get older he started to find life very hard and frustrating. He became very aware after starting school that he was different to other children. His behaviour started to be effected and he would have uncontrollable outburst of anger and temper tantrums.  As a family this was very upsetting and we did not no how to help him!

One day the hospital health visitor told me about Seagull Specials.  I rang them the same day and was overwhelmed when the lady on the other end of the phone understood exactly what I was telling her.  It was such a relief to finally talk to someone that realised they had to make eye contact with my son, repeat instructions and make them simple and clear for him to understand.

That he had to warm up properly and cool down to prevent further injury. 

This may all sound so simple but I had taken him to a local club who had told me he would be included, but they just couldn't understand his needs and the fact that he wore an AFO and specials shoes really threw them.  When he ran he just couldn't stop like the other children as his brain didn't relay the message fast enough.  He would knock into other children and was made to feel he was some sort of a bully and felt stupid.  This would then make him feel more frustrated and he would end up crying.  All he wanted to do was play football like any other little boy.

We were told to come along to the next session which happened to be that Saturday.  He was so excited.  When we arrived we were made to feel so welcome and he felt at home straight away.

This is not easy to achieve with children with special needs as they hate change and new places.  He met the coach who made eye contact with him and took him to meet his team mates and the other helpers.  At the end he didn't want to go home.  He could not wait to go back again and lived for the next sessions.  He realised that there were other children just like him and that he was just like them.  I remember the first time he saw another child with an AFO like his he was over the moon I remember him saying "He's like me and we can play football"  it was one of the first times that he started to feel he was not alone.  He then met other children with other problems and started to realise how lucky he was and that everyone was different there was no "normal" everyone is special.

He has now been going to Seagull Specials for years.  He loves every minute of it and has made some amazing friends.   He has now volunteered to help after his own coaching sessions.   Because he says he wants to help others just like he has been helped and he doesn't want anyone to feel how he used to.  He has been to Holland with the team and to various tournaments.

Everyone is always having so much fun at training and there is always so much laughing.

The team of people involved with Seagull Specials are very, very special people themselves they have given my son more than they will ever know. Over the years they have put me in touch with people that have helped me with so many things not just connected with football.  When I was trying to sort out my son's statement of special educational needs they found someone to help me. 

The sessions at the ground have become a special place for the parents as well as the children.  We can talk about our worries and concerns as well.  There is always someone to give advice or someone will find the answer to any problem. It is like a little community where everyone cares and people are always willing to help each other or just have a shoulder to cry on when things get to much.  

My family has also benefited from the experience as we get time together when we know our son is being well looked after.  I get time one to one with my younger daughter which is very important.  When you have a child with special needs your life can revolve just around them with all the appointments and hospital appointments you have to attend.  It is so easy for others to feel left out.  We have so much to thank Seagull Specials for.

Over the years I have watched my son grow into a very special person.  He is confident and no longer alone.  He is much more aware of others feelings and needs and is very caring.  He sees the fun side of life now not just problems all the time.  He would be heartbroken if he could not go to Seagull Specials.

It is very hard to put into words how special this club is and how much good it has done over the years.  There are a lot of people and children who would not be where they are today without SEAGULL SPECIALS.  I would just like you to know how proud my family are to have been given the chance to be part of this very special club.  We love them all very much and no every day how much we have to thank them for.

Our son has also chosen this year to do a BTEC Sports course because he says in the future he wants to be as good as the coaching staff that he has trained with at Seagull Specials.   I think this is a real credit to them that they can have encouraged this once little boy to now have such an amazing future ahead of him.  They have given my son a purpose and he now no longer feels that his life is meaningless and why didn't I just let him die at birth.

THANK-YOU THANK-YOU SEAGULL SPECIALS AND ALL YOUR STAFF. “

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Many Thanks,

Andy