The Franklin Foundation, in collaboration with the Los Angeles Junior Squash Club, provided an opportunity for autistic children and youth with special needs to exercise in South Pasadena. Dozens of young people, under the guidance of professional coaches, played squash and table tennis, enjoying a day filled with joy and sweat.
Autistic children and other special needs youth played on the courts, their laughter echoing around. Franklin Foundation founder Jane He noted that while the foundation’s past events mainly featured static activities like concerts and art exhibitions showcasing the talents of special needs children, physical exercise is essential for these youths. Integrating them into society starts with improving their physical fitness, as sports play a crucial role in shaping their bodies, minds, and characters. Physical health promotes mental health, and the foundation plans to establish sports clubs such as table tennis and basketball in the future, with the slogan “Sports Lead to Health.”
The foundation’s service scope is also expanding. Board member Midori Nakayama noted that the event included not only autistic children but also children with Down syndrome, intellectual disabilities, and developmental delays. All children with intellectual disabilities need attention. Exercise promotes health, and the event featured national-level squash and table tennis coaches. There were also neurotypical youth participants, aiming to create opportunities for these children to integrate into the community and increase the community’s acceptance and understanding of them. The foundation plans to organize a trip to a water park, with over 80 children already signed up.
Deke Chen, founder of the Los Angeles Junior Squash Club, expressed that participating in this event with the foundation’s children was meaningful, fostering understanding and communication among the kids. Los Angeles Squash Association President Aria Fazelimanesh attended in person to coach, showing great patience in teaching squash to autistic and special needs children. The club’s children also helped with coaching, creating a touching scene of enthusiastic sportsmanship.
Former national table tennis player Yan Ge also practiced with the kids on-site, and the children cherished the opportunity to compete against a national player.
