By Jessica Johnson
“Strength lies in differences, not in similarities.” — Stephen Covey
•••
Students at Aptos Junior High School got to witness first-hand the strength in differences on a recent afternoon, thanks to a Fresno-based organization. Break the Barriers is dedicated to presenting programs focused on ability awareness and, according to their website, “promoting exceptional programs that enhance the gifts and abilities of all people.”
Started in 1983 by a former elite level gymnast, Deby Mullen Hergenrader, Break the Barriers brings teams of differently-abled performers to schools and other venues in order to increase ability awareness to a variety of audiences.
Over their history, Break the Barriers has offered programs to over 145 schools across 32 school districts. In addition, they have an adaptive sports complex and offer free Paralympic training for veterans, as well as many class offerings from archery and dance to martial arts and highly regarded summer camps.
In fact, it was through their summer camps that Aptos parent Cynthia Brown became familiar with their programs. Brown’s daughter, Natalie, a 7th grader at Aptos Junior High, has Down Syndrome. The Browns have family in Fresno and Natalie has regularly participated in summer camps hosted by Break the Barriers.
Brown and fellow Aptosian, Teresa Gruber, worked together with Aptos Junior High School principal Rich Moran to bring the performers to the school. Teresa’s son Brandon Gruber (who you may recognize as last year’s Aptos High School homecoming king) also has Down Syndrome and performs with the group who wows the audience with performances highlighting acrobatics, feats of strength, agility and balance.
Cynthia Brown commended Principal Moran’s willingness to bring the performance to the students of Aptos Junior High saying, “Mr. Moran is very forward thinking when it comes to inclusion for all. That he is willing to host Break the Barriers says a lot about him as a principal and a person.”
Brown explained that it can be challenging for a differently abled child to feel fully included in the activities of their ‘typical friends.’ “They can be very isolated,” she said. “They are not invited to birthday parties or anything. It is important for their typical peers to know they are people too, that they have a heart and a soul.”
She believes that is why bringing organizations such as Break the Barriers into schools is so important. “[They] are so good about exposing the students to all the different talents, gifts and abilities the performers have,” she said.
Brown’s daughter Natalie wasn’t the only one who was thrilled to see the group perform. Brown shared that after the performance she was on campus when a differently-abled student she knows thanked her and told her how much she loved the program, “She said it showed everybody doing things together.”
Brown is looking forward to working with Principal Moran to continue to bring Break the Barriers to Aptos Junior High School again next year, firm in her belief that it is important not only for students of all abilities, but for educators and administrators as well, “It really touched hearts and souls and schools need to realize kids need this,” she said.