Pop Skate, or Adaptive Skate, is a program run by the Wallingford Parks and Recreation Department in which people with learning disabilities can skate, interact, and enjoy themselves at Choate’s Remsen Hockey Arena. This organization offers over 700 programs for youth and adults in Wallingford to experience.
Choate encourages students to participate in this community service opportunity. Every week, members from the Choate hockey teams take part in Pop Skate. Not only is it a great opportunity to earn community service hours but also a chance for Choate students to interact with members of the Wallingford community who have special needs. “These people are smart and creative. However, because they don’t have privileges like being able to live alone or walk, people stereotype and belittle them,” explained Mr. Gary Lynch, director of Pop Skate at Choate. “It also adds maturity to you helping these people out because it feels like you are giving back to humanity.”
Mr. Lynch has been working with this group for nine years, and there is a story behind Mr. Lynch’s motivation to continue to be part of Pop Skate. Before Mr. Lynch came to Choate, he worked in a Total Care group home where people of all ages who aren’t able to live independently due to mental or physical disability, stay. “These challenged individuals have trouble with wearing clothes and taking a shower — routines that able-bodied people take for granted.” Mr. Lynch worked as their caregiver, working from dusk until dawn to make sure everyone was safe.
In addition, Mr. Lynch’s thirty-three-year-old daughter, Annie, lives with a mental illness. She grew up in an era where people didn’t have much awareness of people with disabilities . Therefore, taking care of people with disabilities and spreading awareness of learning differences has become a significant part of his life.
This unique experience also sheds light on new perspectives and has sparked many thoughts in our community. Mr. Lynch said, “If we don’t have these programs, what would these people do? Without these programs, these people would not have the fun and joy everyone should have.”
Students involved get a lot out of the experiences of helping out with this program. Paul Montrone ’22, a frequent participant of Pop Skate, said, “It was definitely an eye-opening experience. It gave me a new perspective on how difficult life can be for disabled people in our community. I saw a little kid in his wheelchair going around the ice. His happy smile made my day, and I will definitely continue to do community service out of school.”
Ethan Chapman ’22, a Pop Skate volunteer, also remarked, “It gives people opportunities they won’t otherwise have. I saw this middle-aged woman sitting in a chair, and it sounded like she was having the time of her life.” Pop Skate is a very special program that not only brings joy to people with special needs, but also to the volunteers who serve them.
