Finding accessible fitness and arts programs for individuals with special needs can often feel like an uphill battle.
But in Indian River County, the nonprofit Sunday Strong is continually adding ways to flatten the curve. What began as a grassroots effort to offer inclusive physical activities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has blossomed into a multifaced community movement.
This year, that mission expanded through two new programs: an adaptive ballet class that concluded with an onstage performance, and a summer bike camp designed to help participants gain confidence, independence, and new skills.
Sunday Strong founder Laura Radocaj says her philosophy remains simple. When a parent has an idea, she tries to figure out a way to make it happen.
“We have an amazing town, an amazing community that always says yes.”
So, when a parent requested a ballet class tailored to their child’s needs, Radocaj connected with Adam Schnell, founding artistic director and CEO of Ballet Vero Beach. The result has been a unique, three-way partnership between their two organizations and Riverside Theatre.
“This is where the education and community engagement initiatives of Ballet Vero Beach and Riverside start to intersect,” Schnell explains.
“We are the ones leaning in on dance as a specific art form to change the face of our community. They [Riverside] provide the space for the class and actually pay our BVB dancers to instruct. It becomes this great symbiosis of working with a partner that wants to engage in the arts in a meaningful way.”
The ballet studio’s calm, focused atmosphere has brought unexpected gains for the athletes, helping strengthen both their balance and their confidence.
“It’s a little different from the fitness classes that we do. The athletes who attended gravitated to that calm environment, and their confidence really grew in the studio,” Radocaj explained.
When the athletes showcased their skills onstage during the end-of-year dance recital, they received more than just well-deserved applause. They and their families received free tickets to Ballet Vero Beach performances throughout the year, creating a wraparound arts experience.
“A ballet recital is not something many parents of adult children with special needs ever imagine being possible,” said Radocaj.
The bike camp launched this summer on the campus of Sebastian River High School.
Radocaj’s sister was the inspiration for the establishment of Sunday Strong, and reflected on the sense of independence her sister gained after learning how to ride a bike. She can now commute to her job at Publix and to their brother’s house.
Inspired to offer that same freedom to others, Radocaj partnered with I Can Shine, a national organization that boasts an 80 percent success rate in teaching the differently abled to ride two-wheel bikes.
After learning of the bike camp, one family made the drive from Jupiter every day. The parents, whose 12-year-old daughter has Down Syndrome, said she desperately wanted to be able to ride with her family and friends. She had been trying to learn for years, unsuccessfully.
“After outgrowing yet another bike without success and asking for a new one for Christmas, Santa told her we would try to find a bike camp that might be able to help her learn,” the parent wrote in an email.
“Most importantly,” they wrote, “Grace may be able to find success with a new skill that she wants to learn!”
As every bike rider in the camp required two spotters, it was volunteer-intensive. Radocaj enlisted the help of Saint Edward’s School rising sophomore Cami Colontrelle for logistics, and they recruited more than 50 volunteers, primarily from Saint Edward’s, to support the 24 campers.
“Seeing these students engage with our athletes, every single parent commented on the connections they made, the hugs they gave, the high fives. They made the athletes feel like celebrities,” said Radocaj.
“They helped them to gain the freedom and confidence that comes with riding a two-wheel bike.”
Radocaj noted that they had a 100 percent success rate, and said every rider, and their families, walked away with a newfound sense of freedom.
In another note of thanks, a parent commented that her son has been “flying high” since finishing the camp and has promised to be more open to trying new things.
“He’s proud of himself and happy that he can ride a bike now. You truly changed each rider’s life by giving them this skill,” she wrote.
The camp immediately enabled a milestone for another family that many take for granted. They sent an exuberant thank-you, saying they had ridden their bikes to get ice cream and added, “It was a 4-mile ride! We couldn’t be happier!”
To promote inclusivity starting at a young age, Radocaj wrote a children’s book, now available on Amazon, with all proceeds going directly into the nonprofit. In true Sunday Strong fashion, the book was illustrated by one of the program’s instructors.
In addition to their already packed schedule, which includes classes nearly every day of the week, including functional fitness, ballet, boxing and Zumba, they plan to host clinics with Crossover Mission this year.
For more information, visit SundayStrong.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
