The Meeting Street School in Providence was the site of a friendly competition Thursday -- the culmination of a year's worth of training.
The Achilles Kids program was born in New York and it's aimed at encouraging children with disabilities to run, walk or roll.
"Beginning of every gym class we run laps -- whether they run, walk, use their walker, propel their chair or ride a bike," said Mary Cooper, Meeting Street School.
Meeting Street students have been training since fall.
"We started out with 75 kids in six schools in New York City. This year, for the first time, we have 4,000 kids," said Karen Lewis, the director of the program.
Lewis came from New York to observe and take part. She said the program has many benefits.
"Not just the physical but the cognitive and the self-esteem and the boost to your confidence that comes along with it that's just great," Lewis said.
"Some children who didn't run at the beginning of the year, now they run," Cooper said.
And while they're taking part in a race, that's not the focus.
"We make sure it's not a competition. It doesn't matter who comes in first. You just have to do your best," Cooper said.
Student Laura McKenna makes the effort to participate.
"I want her -- and I have a son here also -- to actually try to achieve all the benefits of an actual normal child and this is a wonderful way of doing it, and it's a proud moment to see them," said Doreen McKenna, Laura's mother.
The program is about reaching goals, feeling pride and just downright celebrating accomplishments.
This is the first year for the Achilles Kids program in Rhode Island. The Meeting Street School is the first to take part.
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