Spirit Paws, Ability United: An MSW student’s vision leads to youth connections in local schools

When I was at the Wakulla County School Board District Office for a district wellness meeting, one of the topics brought to the table was a new event, “Ability in the Park.”  The event was created to show the community that students with disabilities also had “abilities” and strengths that could be showcased or revealed in order to remove some of the stigma associated with those who have different methods of learning and different obstacles. I began thinking of the students within my own school who are disabled either physically, intellectually, or have communication difficulties of some kind.  These students participated very infrequently within the mainstream school setting besides one or two classes a day and lunch.

I decided to start Spirit Paws, a group founded to bring cheerleaders and students with disabilities together to learn dances and cheers, when I realized that I coached cheerleaders who had the leadership skills to wrap social communication and peer connection with teaching material to satisfy a goal – performing.  The girls’ compassion level was so great that I knew if they could work with these students the bond created would expand both groups far beyond their normal growth potential as adolescents, and would trickle down to the school level as well.

My hope was that the program would create a paradigm shift of tolerance, acceptance, understanding, compassion, strength, and drive within all students so that they identify their mutual needs as human beings.  The Spirit Paw group was in need, as much as any other students, to feel a sense of belonging within their classroom, peer group, and school.

Ability United

What I had hoped to happen is actually happening. The impact on the students has been phenomenal.  Students who rarely make eye contact or associate with others, including peers, performed twice in front of an audience of more than 400 people at FSU’s Cheerleading Showcase and the CheerCo Showcase/Competition at FAMU.  The students put on formal gowns and tuxedos to attend a banquet with their peers and received trophies. And, these students now associate more with other students in the hallways, receiving high-fives and being acknowledged and accepted.  They are being recognized for their abilities, not identified for their “disabilities.”

Spirit Paws is entirely student driven.  That is the beauty of it and the core of why it works.  Students teaching students is a powerful tool and every student grows from the experience. You can see the effects almost instantaneously, producing results that are almost always positive for all parties involved. It even gives parents a greater connection with the school.  Adults are part of the organization, coordination, maintenance, etc., but the program requires little on the part of teachers and aides within the classroom.

This program really takes little to no effort and can be as vast and expansive as one would like to make it.  The program has already been introduced into three schools: Spirit Paws in Riversprings Middle School, Spirit Claws in Wakulla Middle School, and Spirit Wings in Wakulla High School. Spirit Paws, Spirit Wings and Spirit Claws may not grow at the same rate or attend all the same functions, but they have come together to form the coalition, Ability United.  All have the support of our District Office, and there is future potential for a camp where the schools and programs can meet, train together and build unity.

Future Outcomes

My hope for the future is that Ability United will serve as a springboard within the community to connect the community to these students and help provide them with job, learning and relationship opportunities. And, I would like their sense of belonging to extend past their school years.  I would also love to see Ability United introduced in other school districts as well.

So much of society focus is on what is different about us, and not what connects us.  Students in middle school are developing a sense of self and in doing so, categorizing the world around them. The entire social stratus or ladder in middle school is complex and has interwoven parts between each person.  Our guidance systems for youths focuses on attempting to change, breakdown, or fight the strength of this social system rather than working within it.   Instead of going against what is natural, the development of self through identification with others, why not go with that force?

Students at one end of the social ladder can help those at the other through acceptance, and can shift an entire schools perceptions with very little difficulty, simply because the peers are the power themselves.  Through this bond, students begin to see that they can accomplish things beyond what they thought was within their reach and start to build a new sense of confidence.  As they search to find themselves, their identification begins to change and that opens up a whole other world of possibilities since they find success in new activities. I would like the general public to see several things:

1. Middle school students have levels of compassion and ability far beyond for which we give credit.  Their Chaos is a normal production of self-development and from the ashes of the chaos, a compassionate individual given the right path can be born. 
2. Students or adults with disabilities have an equal amount of abilities if given the opportunity to show them.
3. Social learning is a vital and powerful tool that can sway even the most resilient forces within our social world.
4. Sometimes fighting against the natural social flow gets you nowhere, but utilizing that force in a creative manner can change a world – the world of a child.  Ultimately the idea is a paradigm shift of “Ability United.”

About the Author:

Catherine Small is a current clinical MSW student in the College of Social Work. A Tallahassee native, she holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology (1999), a master’s degree in counseling and human systems (2003) and a specialization degree in school counseling (2003) all from Florida State.  Catherine has extensive experience with local schools and non profits, serving in various leadership roles. She has served as a guidance counselor at Riversprings Middle School in Crawfordville, Florida for 8 years and a cheerleading coach for 7 years. To reach her regarding Spirit Paws or Ability First contact her at Catherine.Small@wcsb.us.