Headlines From The Nation's Press

Each week we open the show with some of the most glaring and reoccurring stories chronicling the ugliness surrounding youth sports organized by adults; issues pertaining to our children's health and education. These headlines clap like thunder across the country signaling a warning to parents, coaches, administrators, lawmakers, and community stakeholders that widespread change is imperative.

My good friend, and frequent guest on the show, Professor Doug Abrams of the College of Law at the University of Missouri, will add you to his daily mailing list of these stories. Simply email Doug and ask him to add your name to the list.

The Main(e) Event

Research clearly shows that children with disabilities are excluded from organized youth sports and recreation programs.

We'll be talking with Penny Plourde, the Director of the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, about what the state and federal governments are doing to assist children with disabilities. Until very recently in our nation's history, people with disabilities were institutionalized and isolated from mainstream American.

We'll learn about why children with disabilities and their families have changed course and are now working to be included in every aspect of American life such as education, work, and recreation.

Mary Redmond-Luce is the coordinator of the Council on Transition in Western Maine, whose purpose is to assist teens in the transition from school to community. They assure that each student is academically and socially prepared to move into the world of adulthood by meeting their unique an individualized goals.

Mark Zadakis, a 21 year old Junior at Husson College in Bangor, is a communications major who aspires to a career in broadcast journalism. Mark has cerebral palsy, a developmental disability influencing muscle movement and control. Mark worked with eleven other disabled youth to form Youth Mentors, Inc., a program that opens up a world of possibilities and opportunities for disabled youth.

We'll also be talking with David Jones, a professor and researcher at the University of Southern Maine who recently completed research on the exclusion of people with disabilities from recreational programs, including sports. David interviewed focus groups from around the state to learn firsthand from disabled youth and their families about their needs and wants.

We'll learn that social stereotypes and lack of awareness, knowledge, and training are major obstacles to "inclusion," as well as liability and safety issues.

A "Must-read book" by Christopher Andersonn

Chris Andersonn is another colleague and good friend who resides in the San Francisco Bay area. He is the author of a book that I recommend every parent, teacher, and coach read before they read anything else.

"Will You Still Love Me If I Don't Win" is the first book of its kind that provides parents, teachers, and coaches with the tools to develop the most overlooked aspect of youth sports: emotional training. This book is one of the most powerful and emotional books you will ever experience.

Chris has worked with over 15,000 athletes of all levels of competition from scholastic, club, to Olympic and world class, and professional. He has spoken to thousands of their parents on improving emotional well-being, achieving clearer communications, and increasing personal success.

Many worry about what the pressure to win does to kids. Young athletes sense the disappointment of their parents and coaches when they don't perform well and consequently believe that the lack of approval means they are not loved. This often leads to emotional conflict and the inability to perform at one's best.

The Coaches Corner

OK, so why is the Little League season over for 95% of our kids who are not "All-Stars?" The big complaint from high school and LL coaches is that the playing season (spring) is too short, cold, rainy, snowy, and muddy.  July and August are generally nice and the kids are out of school. So what if a handful are gone on vacation? Its a shame to see all of those LL fields vacant when they could be filled with boys and girls playing ball all summer instead of "chillin', or just hangin' out" until school resumes.

Regis' Rant

Its a question of priorities! We're willing to pay professional athletes $80 million over 5 years; raise $650,000 to put in artificial turf for the local high school; raise $100,000 to support the high school's athletic teams, all the while we tolerate our teachers being the lowest paid professionals in the land; our kids being without math and science books; and the dropping of health and PE classes at a time when obesity is the #1 public health issue. So, what's up with that?

The Parent Trap

Question for Parents: "Will You Still Love Them If They Don't Win?"

Think about that!

We invite our listeners to call in and share their views.

Listeners can take part in the show by calling:

207-775-2217 or 1-866-811-9505.

or email me during the show at:

Regis@thecenterforkidsfirst.org