When Kish and Paul Pisani moved from Canada to Naperville three years ago, they searched for a Special Olympics ski team so their son, Louis, who has autism, could continue being part of the sport he enjoyed. When they couldn’t find one, the family saw it as an opportunity to start a team of their own.
“I am a firm believer that young adults learn many positive things through athletics,” said Paul, who along with his wife, went on to establish a local ski team as an official Special Olympics Illinois organization that year. “Every kid deserves a chance to play.”
What started as a one-person ski team with Paul, a certified ski instructor, as the coach, snowballed.
In 2014, the Pisanis founded DuPage Valley Special Athletes (DVSA), a nonprofit organization that serves students from Naperville, Aurora, Lisle and Oswego. Today, nearly 90 athletes, peers, coaches and volunteers make up the youth sports program that includes seven sports for athletes with special needs.
“There weren’t a lot of opportunities to participate in some of the sports we offer,” Paul said. “We have athletes from many different high schools and they are able to make connections with others that they may have not been able to make.”
Along with downhill skiing, the organization now boasts athletic opportunities in flag football, track and field, soccer, running club, spirit squad and unified soccer, which means peer partners play alongside athletes with special needs.
But for 18-year-old Louis, DVSA is about more than sports.
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“I like being with friends and family doing sports,” said Louis, a student at Naperville North High School. “It is fun because we are good at sports and we get a chance to play a lot.”
While several of the programs offered by DVSA are affiliated with Special Olympics Illinois, the organization is run exclusively through the support of parents, siblings and peers who volunteer as coaches, mentors and fans.
“We don’t tell the families that it is mandatory to be involved; these families are already very involved,” Kish said. “We started this with sports in mind, and it really turned into a much bigger thing. It has turned into very much of a social opportunity.”
Chris Kouros shared the sentiment. His son, Thomas, 21, met Louis Pisani through local athletics and became one of DVSA’s first members.
“We were drawn to the purpose of DVSA, (which is) to develop positive, healthy habits through athletic activities for individuals with physical and/or development disabilities (through) positive coaching, teamwork and competitive activities,” Kouros said. “I had always wanted Thomas to learn how to ski and with their purpose and ski instructor certifications, we were motivated to see how well Thomas could succeed.”
And he did succeed. Kouros said his son enjoyed the ski experience and the success he experienced so much that he signed up for soccer as well.
“Thomas has gained confidence as he has progressed and improved in his athletic abilities,” Kouros said “He is thankful that he can compete in sports with other kids at his level and is especially thrilled when he can bring home a medal for his achievements.”
Next month, Thomas and Louis are among seven DVSA members competing in downhill skiing during the Special Olympics Illinois Winter Games in Galena.
“I have been warmed by the spirit and drive of all of the special athletes and the expressions of happiness and thrill they experience with their individual and team accomplishments,” Kouros said. “I am also truly warmed by the tremendous amount of devotion, dedication, and commitment the coaches and peers have towards developing and progressing the athletic abilities of our athletes.”
Jane Donahue is a freelance writer for the Naperville Sun.