Vanessa Dias knows the power of inclusion because she sees it every day in her own family.
As the mother of a special needs daughter, she has witnessed the magic in her own backyard when her two older sons, Rowan and Christian, incorporate their younger sister, Elle, into their games. Often, it’s been lacrosse.
“That’s a powerful moment when I see my boys, who love lacrosse, trying to help their sister,” Dias said.
Borne from that experience, Dias founded Able Lacrosse in 2021 to create a stronger movement of inclusion in the lacrosse community. Based in Scarsdale, N.Y., Able seeks to foster lacrosse experiences for youth with learning differences, disabilities, and the need for accommodations in a judgment-free environment.
“There’s very limited social programming for kids with disabilities,” Dias said. “During their formative years, they need to be included in extracurricular activities, just like other kids. The benefits are invaluable.”
Able Lacrosse utilizes input and counsel from special education instructors to guide its programming and curriculum development. Additionally, physical, occupational & speech therapists are on-site during events to help provide real time assistance for coaches and volunteers that may need to modify their approach. The goal is to build a strong connection between the participants and the volunteer coaches who are there to assist them.
A recent clinic packed a local gymnasium for the official launch of Able’s youth wheelchair lacrosse program. Volunteers included members of the nearby Yorktown High School and Scarsdale High School teams, along with college players from the defending national champion Pace women's lacrosse team and Fordham, as well as professional lacrosse athletes Roy Colsey, Brett Makar, and Deemer Class.
“Varsity high school players are our target volunteer group, but all volunteers, regardless of age, do an onboarding session so we can teach them how to engage with the kids,” Dias explained. “We have a wide spectrum of abilities among our participants, but we want to make sure everyone is successful.”
A USA Lacrosse grant helps Able Lacrosse offset equipment costs and operational expenses, such as facility rental fees and insurance.
Based on personal experience, Dias knows that having a child with special needs can be exponentially more expensive than raising a neurotypical child. Therapies, home modifications, and specialized care that is often not covered by insurance can weigh heavily on families. Being able to provide these lacrosse opportunities to families in an affordable manner is a high priority.
“Receiving the USA Lacrosse grant helps us keep the costs low for our participating families,” Dias said.
Success is measured in smiles and friendships.
“This is about sharing the love of lacrosse with everyone,” Dias said. “We try to find the positives of each child, and simply meet them where they are. It’s more than just a game.”
It Starts With a Stick
With a gift of just $28, you are not only putting a stick in the hands of a new player but investing in the sport’s exciting future. Support USA Lacrosse through the It Starts With a Stick campaign.
