APIL Water Day

Ascension Parish Inclusive League had a water day today. A water slide, slip n slide, a swimming pool and lots of water balloons were the activities for the event. Everyone had a great time.

Dr. Kelly Ray, Community Psychologist, attended the event to observe and help our team with suggestions to help us work with the children. At the board meeting after the event, Dr. Ray answered questions and gave us helpful suggestions.

A swimming pool and a water hose. What could be better?

Everyone joined the activities when the water balloons were brought out.

My daughter and APIL Director, Betsey Baldwin, was a likely target for the water balloons.

The co director, Courtney, and board member, Sunny, also joined in the water balloon fun.

A plastic tarp, some no tear shampoo and a water hose was all we needed for a slip and slide.

Add a few plastic balls to the pool added to the fun.

Even though it was very warm outside, the water helped cool things down and created a fun day. The grant APIL obtained has allowed the program to expand to other areas of the state. A program in Hammond and Mandeville are in the works thanks to the grant and guidance of Rebecca Mandal, Karen Sheridan and Jennifer Whisenhunt of the Resource Center on Psychiatric & Behavioral Supports.

Ascension Parish Inclusive league is a recreation league in which children with and without disabilities participate together in activities and sports just for fun! This is a non-competitive league for ages 4-13. If you have questions, would like more information or would like to volunteer for the events call (225) 621-9661.

First APIL Tball Game

We had our first APIL Tball game today and it was awesome. It started to drizzle when we got there. We prayed for it to stop and it did. Praise God! Also, we were supposed to play on the regular field but the baseball league had a tournament going on so we had to improvise. Sunny drew a field out in the back of the building under some big oak trees and we set up there. The kids had a great time as well as the parents and volunteers. Here are some of the pictures.

APIL Event Saturday

Ascension Parish Inclusion League had an event this past Saturday. This week was all about reinforcing and developing skills for the tball league that gets started March 30th. The children were taught the basic rules and practiced hitting and catching.

They were separated into teams for a practice game.

Let the game begin!

Betsey helped one of the new participants field the ball and instructed him to raise it and say "time" to stop the play.

Before we closed for the day, we sang Happy Birthday to this participant who turned 8 Saturday.

Being a part of this league has been one of the most rewarding things I've done. The best part is watching the friendships develop between the children. The interaction between them and the volunteers has grown each time we have an event. One of the mother's told us that her son woke up during the night and wouldn't go back to sleep because he was ready to get dressed and attend the tball practice. Although, the parents had a rough night, it shows how much these children look forward to these events.

APIL is a non-competitive inclusive recreation league for children with or without disabilities (ages 4-13) to participate together in recreational activities and games.

APIL Skills Testing for Tball League Starting Soon

Ascension Parish Inclusion League had an event this past Saturday. The children were involved in skill testing for the upcoming t ball league.

Bright colored tees were lined up to assess the hitting skills.

Gloves with velcro balls were used for throwing and catching.

Everyone got on home plate to go over the bases and general rules.

As always, there is one on one interaction by both volunteers and parents.

Volunteers help each other with suggestions, comments and guidance.

This is a picture of the new swing that was made possible by the grant APIL received. It has two sets of swings, one for a wheelchair and one regular on each side creating an arrangement that allows someone in a wheelchair to swing along side someone who is not. The base will be constructed by the parish and should be ready for the Spring. It is the first one of it's kind in the parish and we are thrilled to be able to have this available in our community.

Next APIL Event is February 23rd at 10AM. Location may change to Donaldsonville. I'll post the information when it is decided.

Tball League Registration is Monday, March 10th at 5:30PM. LSU Tiger Baseball team members will be available for pictures and autographs.

APIL is a non-competitive inclusive recreation league for children with or without disabilities (ages 4-13) to participate together in recreational activities and games.

Ascension Parish Inclusive League Parents Day

On January 26th at 10:o0 AM, APIL is celebrating Mardi Gras. Children are asked to bring a wagon, bike, wheelchair or something to decorate for a Mardi Gras parade. While the APIL staff and volunteers are working on the Mardi Gras activities, parents are invited to participate in a Food for Thought workshop. This workshop will be a way for parents to network together and gain helpful information on resources available to them as well as advice and suggestions. Refreshments will be served and door prizes will be given. If you are interested in attending the Food for Thought workshop sponsored by Families Helping Families with guest speakers, Dr. Karen Sheridan and Dr. Kelly Paulk Ray, call (225) 216-7474 or toll free at (866) 216-7474 to register and bring the children along for the Mardi Gras Parade.

The day we had snow at St. Amant Park

T-Ball Starts in March

APIL Mission:

To create opportunities for children ages 4 - 13 with and without intellectual disabilities/developmental disabilities (ID/DD) to interact socially and work cooperatively while participating in recreation activities at their local recreation center.