Dignity: Wahconah Regional High School Unified Track Team 

I first want to let you know that my podcast interview on the Frontline Industry Podcast will be out in a few weeks. I will share with you when it is released. 

This year I have volunteered as a coach for the Wahconah Regional High School Unified Track team. Unified sports teams students with and without intellectual disabilities and gives them the opportunity to compete in a varsity sports. My son has been part of unified sports since his freshman year of high school. I believe that his improvement with his grades and his growth in leadership is directly connected to his participation in unified sports. I voluteered because I wanted to have someting the two of can share but I also wanted to know what was it that help turn him into a leader.  

This week has been a busy week for the athletes of Wahconah Unified Track. They have competed in two meets this week with the last track meet coming today in Dalton at 4pm against Pittsfield High School. If you have never been to an unified sporting event you are missing out on what I feel defines the true meaning of competition, sportsmenship, and the never give up attitude. Many of these students have physical challenges that would keep the best of us down but they push forward. The win comes from doing their best and finishing the race. These are kids who would have never had the chance to compete in a sport can now play basketball or compete in track and field. I am a bystander in something that is moving and heart warming.  

Just being around this team I can see why my son has grown so much. He wants to teach. I believe it is because of the coaches and his teammates that have brought out the best in him because in this short time I feel the changes in me. In my work often times I think I can’t or this is too much and then I think about the unified team and it motivates me to push through and work harder. Society has told these kids they can’t but the amazing people at Wahconah tell them that anything is possible. These athletes are my heroes. I am getting more from being around them than they are from me being there. I am honored to wear the blue and white unified uniform. Its stands for “Hope” and “Possibilities”. This experience for them will open doors that will bring hope for a life filled with joy and opportunity and the possibility of living their greatest life.  

I want to take this moment to thank the coaches Jarod Shannon, Rob DiFazio, Eli King, Meg Shannon, Sarah DiFazio, and Kara Keegan for giving these kids the opportunity to compete and to be part of a team. It will be something that will shape their lives forever. Thank you for allowing me to experience what you get to every day. The joy of being around the most amazing and inspiring kids. I also want to personally thank you for what you have done for Anthony. He inspires me because you have inspired him. We all have something to be proud of because of our parent and teacher partnership we have created a future leader. This is how it is supposed to be. We want the same things and that is to bring out the best in our children/students.  

Thank you Wachonah Unified Track Team for let me be part of this amazing team. You are my heroes. 

If you are free at 4pm today come out to Wachonah and cheer on all the athletes for both school and come experience what I have the joy of being around the most amazing people. 

Charles Redd RN 

Dignity Freedom Fighter