This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Every Player Wins as New All About Developmental Disabilities Bocce Ball League Connects People with Disabilities with their Peers in Woodstock

All About Developmental Disabilities (AADD), an Atlanta-based advocacy group focusing on developmental disabilities issues, next week launches a new social games league for young adults in Milton and Woodstock.  The program connects people with developmental
disabilities to those without, in the 20 to 30 age range.  A kick-off
party is scheduled for Thursday, July 11, from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Bethwell
Community Center (2695 Hopewell Rd., Milton, GA 30004).  Attendees will
enjoy BBQ and bocce ball.


"Young people with developmental
disabilities often become socially isolated in their twenties, so it’s
important that they have opportunities to interact with people their own age
that will bring them back into the community,” says AADD disability advocate
Amanda Quintana. “For people without disabilities, this is a great opportunity to give back to their communities and build their own awareness of the
challenges faced by those who live with disabilities every day.”


The AADD Bocce Ball league is
seeking participants to play games, model good social skills and show these
young people the possibilities open to them at that age.

Find out what's happening in Woodstock-Towne Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Young people with developmental
disabilities typically graduate from high school at 21, and over the next few
years their group of high school friends diminishes as their peers head off to college or careers. By the time they hit 25, their social network has all but
vanished, opportunities for making new friends are limited, and time not spent working is usually spent at home. It can be a very isolating time.


With that in mind, Quintana says the
most important thing about the playing isn’t the final score, but the
camaraderie and fellowship that develops from working on a team together.

Find out what's happening in Woodstock-Towne Lakewith free, real-time updates from Patch.


“We picked Bocce ball because it’s portable and easy, but the games aren’t what
is really important,” Quintana says. “It is the meeting each other, saying
hello, and chatting during the game that is really going to make a difference.”


AADD stresses that peer participants
are crucial to the success of the program, anticipating that they will comprise about 60 percent of each group.


About the Bocce Ball League:


  • Two groups are offered: Milton,
    Woodstock
  • Preferred age range for participants
    is 20-30
  • 16-20 people per group
  • Each “season” will be about three
    months. Groups meet twice a month for one hour.
  • Peer participants will be offered a
    brief training on developmental disabilities
  • Cost: Free
  • To register, email Elayne Powell at elayne@aadd.org  or call (404) 881-0920
  • Facebook: AADD Bocce
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Woodstock-Towne Lake