BFCCPS Students Participate in Adaptive “Volt Hockey”

Students in Grades six through eight at the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School had the chance to participate in an adaptive sport called Volt Hockey in December.  

“Volt Hockey, played in power wheelchairs in Europe and Canada, came for the first time to the United States with chairs to Boston on November 8, 2021. There are very few sports that allow individuals with disabilities with both upper and lower body mobility impairments to compete. Volt Hockey, being brought by the nonprofit Boston Self Help Center, is expected to excite and encourage individuals with disabilities to play this indoor, 4 on 4, street hockey like game. Expectations are high that this will then spread across New England and the United States as did a similar sport that the nonprofit sponsors, power wheelchair soccer.” (source: https://bostonselfhelpcenter.org/adaptive-sports)

The opportunity was coordinated by Helena and Helge Liedtke, parents of two BFCCPS students and founders of SPace2Thrive, (www.space2thrive.org) well as Christopher Heater the Director of Co-Curricular Education and the Physical Education Coaches Patrick Anderson, Julie Bradley and Marjorie Burke.  Equipment was donated for the event courtesy of the Boston Self Help Center (https://bostonselfhelpcenter.org) and Boston Whiplash (https://linktree/bostonvolthockey ) team.  

This activity was arranged to help all students feel included, most especially BFCCPS’ own Vivienne Liedkte, a member of the BFCCPS Grade 8 class who shares, “I love Volt Hockey because I am free to be myself and I feel like I can actually do something good as an equal team member.”

The Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School is an inclusive, vibrant learning community where integrity, knowledge and resourcefulness define our students and empower them to serve the greater community with confidence. As part of our school’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) and in line with our school’s pillar of character education, we were thrilled to offer this opportunity to our students as a demonstration of the virtues of both justice and fortitude.  

You can learn more about  SPace2Thrive and their mission to create spaces where children with and without disabilities and their families can connect and engage in a way that creates an environment of compassion and equality for everyone to thrive, learn from each other and grow beyond limitations. 

(source: http://www.space2thrive.org/mission)

About the Benjamin Franklin Charter School

For more information about the Benjamin Franklin Classical Charter Public School, visit www.bfccps.org.