Soccer players line up on the field. Photo by Deb Stevens.
MSI held its annual festival on Sunday, Nov. 2, for players and families in its program for children with special needs. The event was held on the athletic field at Potomac Community Center.
MSI's TOPSoccer/Adaptive Program is designed for young athletes ages 3-21 with disabilities such as intellectual and closely related developmental disabilities, severe learning disabilities, autism, Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, and impaired vision and hearing.
Emphasis is placed on development, training, and participation, rather than on competition. The TOPSoccer program is a 6 or 7 week fall program and is administered by instructors and specially-trained volunteer soccer buddies.