BEAUMONT, Texas — The Shorkey Center hosted their summer games Thursday and organizers say the games are a perfect way to inspire kids with different abilities to get active.
The summer games were hosted at Christ Central Camp located at 10703 North Major Dr. in Beaumont.
12News went out to the summer games and had a chance to speak with parents and kids about their experience.
Some kids went swimming in their wheelchairs while others were assisted in the pool. The Shorkey Center says the activities helps to build their cognitive skills and get stronger.
Cadence Fundberk, 9, says that she enjoys being out of her wheelchair to swim in the pool.
"It feels great, I feel very loose inside the pool," she said.
An unknown illness has left Fundberk needing assistance with getting around.
"I do have to be in a wheelchair, but I can still kind of walk with a walker and braces," said Fundberk.
When in the pool, she's able to move around freely and on her own.
"I like to do flips and stuff," she said.
Swimming was not the only game kids at the Shorkey Center Camp had a chance to play.
"So this is our Olympic theme week in honor of the Olympics coming," said Shorkey Center executive director Dr. Robin Pearson.
Camp organizers say the kids also learned how to aim and shoot a water gun. The goals was to knock down their target.
"We had a great fun with the water squirter that takes a lot of muscle to push it, but then the cups knock over when you squirt the water," said Dr. Pearson. "But it's just part of all that physical and intellectual ability to manipulate the game and learn how to use the game."
Other games helped to build fine motor skills, such as putting pool noodles through rings and playing ping pong.
Janayceia Dyer is the mother of Malcolm Dyer, who has nonverbal autism.
"So Malcolm is autistic, he's very nonverbal," she said. "The games been awesome, this Olympic has taught me to see him actually engage with other kids, because normally at home, he's by himself. So me allowing to see him grow from being around other people, and learn different skills, so it's really been awesome."
She says seeing him do all games twice and getting a medal has meant everything to her.
"So Malcom went around two times, so he went to every game he played," she said. "And in order for him to get these medals, he has to complete the jobs, so he can't just walk away, he has to finish the game in order to get these medals. So, I'm so proud of him."
Shorkey Center organizers say these games are a reminder that anything is possible for the kids.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
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