COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – Some of the fondest childhood friendships are formed on the playground, but for Crayton middle schoolers, those friendships form on the court.
Crayton Middle School’s Special Olympics Unified program brings special and general education students together for physical fitness. The Unified group quickly bonded over its love for Pickleball.
One athlete, Jazayah Grimes, says it’s his favorite activity.
“I like to play it with them,” he explained. Pickleball is a great way for him to interact with his friends.
Jazayah is deaf and communicates through American Sign Language. His best friend, eighth-grader Gray Cobia, says that the language barrier doesn’t put a strain on their friendship.
Because a smile is worth a thousand words.
“He always has a smile on his face,” said Cobia. “He is never upset. He is creative and fun.”
This pair isn’t the only one who has formed close friendships within the program. Other students took the initiative to bridge gaps in communication with each other. Some of them even practiced sign language to better speak with Jazayah.
“It’s incredible to see,” said Crayton’s Unified Program Lead, Ross Stewart. “It’s not just inclusion, it’s belonging…every activity is student-led…I’m not making them be kind, they are choosing to be.”
Through reading a book, learning a new language, or playing pickleball on a middle school court, friendships can grow from anywhere.
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‘It’s not just inclusion, it’s belonging’: Special and General Education Students bond over Pickleball
