LEE’S SUMMIT, Mo. — Two sixth graders at Richardson Elementary School in Lee’s Summit have come up with an idea that makes recess more fun for their wheelchair bound buddy in kindergarten.
The new addition to Richardson Elementary’s playground has made recess more accessible for one student, and has shown the rest of the school acceptance.
“I believe I can fly,” sang five-year-old Jesus Cardoza Uribe, as he swung in his new swing.
It’s a different view of the world for the kindergartner, who is normally confined to wheelchair because of Spina Bifida.
“At recess, all he did was play kickball and race, and a little bit of soccer, but we felt that he needed something else to do,” said Seth Cooper, a sixth grader.
“He just felt a little left out,” added another sixth grader, Caleb Gates.
Cooper and Gates noticed that despite being in a wheelchair, Uribe was able to participate in almost everything before.
“I like playing soccer with him! He’s pretty fast,” said Cooper.
There was one popular playground activity he couldn’t do.
“Jesus, he could do a lot of activities, but he couldn’t swing,” said Gates.
They both wanted Uribe to get more out of recess time, so they went to their principal, Kelly Seitz, to see if they could install a swing for him. Seitz says she was excited that young kids could be so accepting in a world where bullying is often a problem.
“We have kids that care enough about other kids that they want to help out and find more fun things for them to do at recess,” Seitz said.
Since the swing was installed a couple weeks ago, Uribe now has two favorite activities.
“Kickball and swinging,” said the five-year-old.
The change has given Uribe more options on the playground.
“It’s hard for him to pick when he comes outside,” said Gates.
“He’s been a rock-star since and been accepted since the minute he’s been here,” said Seitz. “But I think overall it just helps us all understand that every person has needs, and we have to do what we can to help every person have the best time and feel accepted.”
As Jesus grows and moves onto middle school, the swing will be given to another student in need to use.
