Avery and Ann-Marie Boyer participating in a fishing game at the I CAN Games in Dorintosh. (Nikita Ganovicheff/meadowlakeNOW)

By Nikita Ganovicheff

Everyone Wins

Dorintosh Central School celebrates biggest I CAN Games

Jun 6, 2019 | 6:21 AM

Avery Boyer is a mischievous and rambunctious boy according to his mother. The eight-year-old always has his own plans, which he is very particular about, and is always busy.

Avery shows his precise planning by focusing entirely on the fishing game he’s participating in as part of the I CAN Games in Dorintosh. The boy was born with down syndrome and is non-verbal. His mother, Ann-Marie, said he is on the verge of being diagnosed with autism.

The I CAN Games is a track meet with modified events for children with exceptionalities. Every year, new games are added or changed to adapt to the abilities of each child.

“They can really show what they’re capable of in each game,” Ann-Marie said. “There’s never a wrong way to do an event. They do it their way and it’s always a success for them and you could see it in their faces just how proud they are.”

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Avery and his brother Dason were together for most of the games. Their mother says the two have a strong bond. (Nikita Ganovicheff/meadowlakeNOW)

This is the fourth year Avery has taken part in the Games.

“Our first year, it was all new to me as a parent, but every year after that first year, I look forward to coming and I know Avery does, too,” Ann-Marie said.

Avery goes to Kopahawakenum Elementary School in Flying Dust First Nation, one of the 25 schools participating in the games. Schools from the Northwest School Division, Meadow Lake Tribal Council and some independent schools from northwest Saskatchewan took part in the games, now in their 20 year.

Avery celebrating after playing in the basketball game. (Nikita Ganovicheff/meadowlakeNOW)

Ann-Marie said while Avery always feels accepted at his school, the event is a place where he can show his own abilities and independence.

“I know in our regular school he feels like he’s a part of it because he has so many friends and classmates. But here, it’s stuff he can really accomplish by himself without any help.”

Brenda Neufeld is one of the organizers for the games and a former teacher in Dorintosh. Neufeld has been a part of the games since the beginning and started it after she brought her special needs class to a track meet and none of her students were successful in any of the events.

Neufeld and a few other teachers then talked and created a track meet specifically for her class and children with disabilities.

“It’s made just for them,” Neufeld said. “They’re not just adapting to other things.”

Ty and Tre Bannister were a part of the original I CAN Games and gave a speech before the games on June 5. (Nikita Ganovicheff/meadowlakeNOW)

In its first year, the I CAN Games had 60 to 70 athletes participate and it immediately started to grow. This year, 175 kids took part.

“I love seeing all the other communities come together,” Ann-Marie said. “All the kids enjoy coming and doing each event. It’s fun. It’s a fun day.”

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nikita.ganovicheff@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @Nikitaganov