Copyright Live 5 News WCSC
NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - More than 130 special education students from Pattison’s Academy and several Charleston County schools participated in their Fall Unified Games this week. Students were paired with peer buddies from general education programs and played adapted football, pickleball and participated in crafts activities. Cait Fenchel, the communications and engagement manager at Pattison’s Academy, said the event focuses on inclusion. “We really enjoyed seeing the kids out here, and our kids don’t really have the opportunity to be athletes because of how intense their disabilities are,” Fenchel said. “And at Pattison’s Academy, we have the most severe cases of disabilities in all of the county.” Pattison’s Academy is part of the Charleston County School District. Fenchel said the games allow other schools to see their students and help the community better understand their families. Citadel cadets from the college’s leadership program also participated in the event. “It was a beautiful thing to see the whole community come together to help these kids out,” Citadel Cadet Meghan Mix said. “Aand it’s so much fun to interact with them and help them out.” In addition to Pattison’s Academy, students from Springfield Elementary, Oakland Elementary, the School of the Arts, Carolina Voyager Charter School, North Charleston High School, Mason Prep, Wando High School, Jerry Zucker Middle School, CE Williams North, CE Williams’ South, West Ashley High School, and Montessori Community School also took part.
