#MyExceptionalStory: Larry Larkin
Six-year-old Larry Larkin came to E-Soccer when it first started in the year 2000, and has come every season since.…
An all-volunteer, inclusive soccer program where kids with typical and special needs participate alongside each other.
Dedicated to empowering children of all abilities, E-Soccer’s inclusive environment promotes leadership as well as social, character, and athletic development for all kids in an individualized manner. Children are taught to learn from one another.
Greg Bodzioch
Gerry Iroaga
2000
The inception of E-Sports began during an afternoon car ride in April, 2000 with two friends talking. One, a dad of two young boys with special needs, and the other, a close friend with a lifelong passion for soccer. The car ride and discussion that day would mark the birth of a pioneering inclusive sports program for kids both with typical and special needs.
A typical E-Sports session is filled with fun physical activities, and is a great opportunity to connect with other parents and volunteers. Here’s what you can expect when you arrive.
Because of E-Sports, now if I see people at my school I try to include them no matter who they are. I’ll try to bring them into the activity and try to get them involved in whatever we’re doing in class or just like even hanging out with them after school or like during break.”
I never thought I’d be doing E-Soccer or be involved with helping kids with special needs and [typical] needs. But yeah I think it’s just helped me gain a better understanding and have more compassion and really be involved with helping the people around me and the youth around me.
With E-Soccer I’m just so amazed. Honestly I’ve had a great time with E-Soccer So the way it’s changed my perspective is that I feel included with everyone else. No one says, ‘oh this guy has autism, he should be with the autistic [group].’ Nope, here it’s everyone included. ”
Our volunteers are passionate about creating meaningful inclusive experiences for every child. Here are some of their stories.
Six-year-old Larry Larkin came to E-Soccer when it first started in the year 2000, and has come every season since.…
As an E-Sports coach, Kenzo has benefited and learned from the inclusive environments E-Sports provides just as much as the kids that participate
Kathy has spent most of her life playing soccer and first came to volunteer at E-Soccer in Foster City when her older sister invited her to help out around 4 years ago.