The Mineola School District is sending 16 students to the Nassau County Games for the Physically Challenged on Friday, May 29.

Among the participants from Mineola are sets of siblings and students from almost all of the district’s schools. According to the district, administrators, teachers, parents and other students will attend to support Mineola’s athletes at the games.

“It gives individuals with physical disabilities the opportunity to participate in competitive sports and recreational activities that are adapted to meet their needs,” said occupational therapist Tara Lynch, who has been organizing the games for Mineola for over 20 years. “What I love about the games is that we’re celebrating their abilities and the things they can do.”

Athletes aged 5-21 from across the state will come to the event, set to take place at the Mitchel Athletic Complex and Nassau Community College.

“As we celebrate the 40th Annual Games, I invite all Nassau residents to join us and witness their incredible achievements,” County Executive Bruce Blakeman said in a release. “I also thank our sponsors and volunteers whose continued support makes this event possible.”

District parent and school board candidateStacey Tysonsaid that two of the siblings who will participate are her daughters, Sarah and Hannah Tyson (six and five years old), who have Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome).

Tyson said Sarah’swhole class came last year to support the athletes. She said student buddies and high schoolers from the district came to help with the event and cheer on the participants, and that it meant a lot to her daughter to see that community.

“I could see her looking to her classmates to make sure that she had their support, and she was very happy and proud to turn around and show off that it was about her for a few moments,” Tyson said. “She was so patient in watching her peers who were participating and equally supportive. It was beautiful to watch.”

Dana Franklin, a physical therapist at the district, said she has been helping organize the event for almost 20 years.

“Every year, the students are really excited to come back,” she said. “They love being a part of this, and they love bringing peers from their other classes.”

Source: LI Press