Having special needs doesn’t mean that one has to stay away from socializing with other people and taking part in friendly competitions. It’s not even an excuse to hide behind another person’s shadow and stay there dreaming. Everyone has the right to excel in something they are passionate about and anyone can make dreams come true.
A special needs drum corps from Long Island is doing just that.
After getting an invitation to perform and participate in the Drum Corps World Championships in Pennsylvania, a GoFundMe campaign for them went viral. It enabled them to quickly raise enough money so that they could make the trip and join the competition.
The Family Residence and Essential Enterprises Drum & Bugle Corps consist of people with special needs.
Funded in 2010, the group aims to provide opportunities for everyone- no matter what their abilities are.
The whole group has more than 70 members. They are in between 20 to more than 50 years of age. Despite the differences in age, the members treat each other as equals. They help and stand up for each other.
By being a part of the Corps, the members are able to belong to an inclusive community which provides the opportunity for them to learn and travel.
They practice and rehearse once a week and they join parades and other competitions throughout the country. These types of exposure enable them to gain the experience they need to polish their acts and performances.
The group primarily entered the event and competed as a whole group. However, there are players who have been selected to compete in a few solo competitions.
And just like what everyone was hoping for these talented people, the Corps actually won that DCA Championships.
Well, it didn’t really come out as a surprise. The group has already won the hearts of many even before the competition actually started.
And that’s not just because they have special needs. The Free Corps actually stood out because of their skills and talents. They gave everything they got and it paid off!
Their participation and success in the competition is both an inspiration and proof that anyone can do anything if he just sets his whole heart to it. And of course, hard work, patience, discipline, and commitment matter, too. Those elements are important in making dreams come true.
The DCA is considered to be the governing body for all-age drum and bugle corps within North America. It’s responsible for sanctioning competitions and enforcing their rules. It also sponsors the yearly World Championships which is generally held on Labor Day weekend.
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