Break the Barriers Travels to Xiamen for China's First 'National Day for the Disabled' ― Fresno-Based 'National Role Model of Inclusion' Provides International Support for Awareness
Break the Barriers has been invited to be a guest of the Chinese Department of Disabled Services, The Department of Religion and The Department of Education to participate and perform in China's first National Day for the Disabled to be held on May 20, 2007 in Xiamen.
Fresno, CA (PRWEB) May 14, 2007
Break the Barriers, Inc., the nation's premier sports-arts center uniting the able and disabled, today announced that it has been invited to be a guest of the Chinese Department of Disabled Services, The Department of Religion and The Department of Education. Break the Barriers will participate and perform in China's first National Day for the Disabled to be held on May 20, 2007 in Xiamen, and then at other schools, churches and public venues throughout the province, returning to the U. S. on May 28.
Break the Barriers' contingent of 25 people will leave for China on May 17, including The Barrier Breakers, a performing team of 18 able-bodied and disabled athletes. In addition, educational workshops have been designed to spread the message about the value of inclusion. Workshop leaders include Break the Barriers' Co-Founder and Executive Director Deby Hergenrader; Executive Director Bud Breslin and Financial Advisor Linda Breslin of the Fresno Area Down Syndrome Society; child psychology and development expert, and Founder of Kids Kan, Inc., Dr. Gayle Gorke; Lucinda Chumley, a deaf education teacher and mother of two deaf children who are raised in the hearing world, one of whom will be performing with the Barrier Breakers; and International Exchange Student Director at USC Zach Williams. In addition, Zach Smith and his brother Elijah, who has Down syndrome, will discuss the importance of acceptance for all people from a sibling perspective.
"We are so appreciative of this great honor," said Hergenrader. "We are always looking for ways to teach and demonstrate there is 'magic in the mixture,' bringing together people of ability and disability to make a difference in the world. We have found that in our travels to other countries, there truly is magic in the mixture, whether it is the mix of abilities or cultures."
Recognized by the U. S. Department of Education as a National Role Model for Inclusion, Break the Barriers may soon be acknowledged as an International Role Model for Inclusion. This year marks the third annual international trip for the team. Last year they completed their second visit to Romania. Break the Barriers partnered with Children to Love International, (CTL), which has a humanitarian outreach ministry in Romania. CTL provided housing, meals, scheduling and transportation for the visit. They opened with a press conference at the Office of the Mayor, followed by a performance in front of the Capitol Government building in Bucharest. The Barrier Breakers performed for the National Congress for Social Services and other dignitaries, and then teamed up with "Motivation Romania," a wheelchair basketball organization that performs all over Romania. They performed an impressive 17 shows during the 10-day visit.
About Break the Barriers
Fresno-based Break the Barriers is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization established in 1985. Through sports, arts, aquatics, health and fitness programs for the able bodied and the disabled, Break the Barriers is recognized as a "National Role Model for Inclusion" by the U. S. Department of Special Education, acknowledged throughout California, the United States, and abroad for its equity advocacy. Visit www. breakthebarriers. org.
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