We all have heard the expression “walk a mile in my shoes.” Experiential learning can be so effective yet difficult to accomplish in the classroom. We challenge you and your students to Roll a Mile on Jim’s Wheels and catch a glimpse of what it is like to live life as a disabled person.

Whether you are offering an Abilities Awareness Day or just want to offer your students something new, you will love having Jim Dugan at your school. Jim is a Director, Coach, and Athlete for The Gateway Confluence Wheelchair Sports Foundation and a two-time Paralympian. Jim brings humor, a love for life, and his many experiences along with a trailer load of all-sport wheelchairs to provide your school with a presentation that is interactive, fun, and educational.

While Jim loves the opportunity to play and interact with the children, he hopes to accomplish several things. First, he wants the children to feel more comfortable around an individual who has a disability and hopes that after experiencing a wheelchair first hand they see past the disability to the person. Second, he hopes that if any of the children have a neighbor, classmate, or family member who uses a wheelchair, they will be more encouraging and inclusive of that person. Third, he hopes to inspire them to overcome their own disabilities.

As you are planning your day, we ask that you schedule classes of 24 students (a few more or less is still doable) for 45-minute periods. More time is better and slightly less time is still doable but we believe the overall program suffers if we cannot have the full time frame. The first portion of the program is very hands on and kids love the interactive physical challenge. Afterwards, Jim draws the students back together as a class for a chat and Q&A. This portion is truly the “take away” for all concerned. Students get a chance to voice opinion and concerns and Jim has the opportunity to work through inclusive and acceptance concepts and the deconstruction of preconceived barriers towards an acceptance of all folks and their unique qualities.

One teacher wrote in her thank you. “Your presentation was a huge success. We had surveys at the end of the day and many students felt as though your presentation impacted their lives. Students said that they had not thought of themselves as someone having a disability and that they now realize that everyone has something to overcome. Jim you are a fantastic speaker, with much to offer!” Another teacher said, “As always, you were fantastic and a huge hit with the students. Thanks for all you do.”

The Confluence would love to schedule Jim at your school. We ask for a $500 donation for an all day presentation and $300 for up to a half day for schools in our local area. We ask for additional reimbursement when we must be away overnight or multiple days. Please know that 100% of your donation helps fund our adaptive sports programs. The Confluence receives no government or United Way revenue and depends entirely on the kindness of benefactors, corporations, and donors to fund our basketball, recreation, softball, tennis, volleyball, and water skiing programs.

Contact us today to schedule Jim Dugan at your school.

Download School Presentation Brochure (PDF)

The Confluence also works with PE teachers. The pictures below show teachers who are taking a graduate course in adaptive sports getting their bottoms-on experience by racing and playing basketball.