By Darrell Halen
Staff Writer

Observer/Bruce Preston Matt Frye, a recreational therapist, instructs players prior to the start of a baseball game. The game, and other wheelchair sports, gives children with disabilities an opportunity to enjoy recreational activities with friends and siblings. Every player uses a wheelchair, regardless if they need one.

After Sammy Safford sent a ball flying with the swing of a bat, a group of mothers sitting on bleachers erupted in cheers, and the Pelham boy hurried to first base.

But this wasn’t a typical baseball game.

Sammy, 8, and all the other young players were in wheelchairs.

The game, held at Derry’s recreation center, is part of a Therapeutic Recreation Empowering Kids program, or TREK.

This free after-school program, which runs weekly for two months, provides recreation and socialization for school-aged kids with or without disabilities.

It’s provided to children with chronic illnesses who are welcome to bring a friend or relative. The first session took place Friday, Sept. 29.

Sammy and his brother Ben, 10, who have Duchene’s Muscular Dystrophy, enjoy the program’s games and activities.

“My kids love it,” said their mother, Lori. “They have a ball.”

The program is hosted by Area Agency of Greater Nashua, Inc. Partners in Health, a community-based program that addresses the needs of families of children with chronic health conditions.

The activities are run by Northeast Passage, an organization based at the University of New Hampshire that provides recreational opportunities for the disabled.

Matt Frye, a TREK program coordinator, said the program allows disabled kids to enjoy recreation, and learn important facets of sports, such as winning and losing and how to be part of a team.

“It’s really been a great program,” said Frye, a recreational therapist who pitched the game. “We’re developing skills and having a good time.”

The TREK program, which serves children from several communities, is funded by a grant from the Hood Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.

TREK’s wheelchair sports include basketball, baseball and other activities. Local kids enjoyed a TREK program in the spring and a day of skating in July.

Friday’s session, a whirlwind of activity that also included a game of tag and some cool-down activities at the end, was open to disabled and non-disabled children.

“They can bring their siblings, their friends,” said Ginny Arsenault, a family support coordinator, of the disabled participants. “The only rule is that they have to (play) in a wheelchair.”

By having all the kids compete in wheelchairs - regardless if they need one or not - organizers create a level playing field.

Maura Pennisi, another family program coordinator, said the sessions give non-disabled kids insight to what life is like for the disabled.

“You look at them (playing) and you can’t tell who is in the program and who’s not,” Pennisi said.

Laurie Thomas, a Salem mother, watched as her daughter, Torii, 10, played basketball.

“It’s a fun activity, and they’re getting therapy at the same time,” Laurie said. “It’s awesome.”

Other Salem area participants included Mary Frances Zuri Hicks, 5, of Salem, who suffers from chronic asthma. Her brother, Sheldon, 9, joined in the fun.

Their mother, Lorraine Hicks, said she likes the program because kids can have fun and forget about their disability.

Heather Lanen of Salem brought her two daughters, Carissa Snow, 6, who has epilepsy, and Adryanna Snow, who is almost 2. Both appeared to be enjoying themselves.

Tracy Perry of Danville said the program allows her daughter, Shelby, 15, who has spina bifida, to participate in sports, something she can’t do at school or through the town’s recreation program. Programs like TREK, she said, are hard to find.

“This means the world to Shelby,” Tracy said, who got excited when her daughter caught the ball during a game. “This is special to her. She’s so excited to participate in sports.”

Jodi Coppeta of Windham brings her two sons. Aaron, 4, is missing a fibula in his left leg and is missing two fingers. His brother, Ethan, 6, comes to have fun, too.

After the games were over, Jodi and the boys joined other families for pizza and salad.

“It gives a chance for the parents to socialize and the kids and siblings, too,” Jodi said. “It’s nice family time.”