Five years ago, Christian and Mary Kane had an idea. The two, who are parents to 11-year-old Gavin, wanted to build a sports complex and playground that could accommodate children with all abilities. Children like their son.
Nearly 10 years ago, then 19-month-old Gavin was involved in a terrible car accident that caused a traumatic brain injury, skull fracture and a temporal lobe stroke. Gavin now navigates life in his powered wheelchair and communicates often via an iPad, but that doesn’t take away his zest for life or his desire to play like able-bodied kids can.
Despite the pandemic and years of planning, the RWJBarnabas Health Field of Dreams has finally opened in Toms River, New Jersey. The $3.6 million dollar facility didn’t come easy, but thanks to fundraising, grants, state aid and lots of sponsors, the park is outfitted with all the special equipment needed to bring smiles to every child who visits.
The 3.5-acre, state-of-the-art complex features activities for kids of all ages and abilities. All areas, including a community garden, snack bar, quiet area and pavilion, were designed to accommodate wheelchairs, walkers and more. Kids will love playing miniature golf, shooting hoops on the large basketball court made with special materials for wheelchairs and crushing home runs on the baseball diamond.
In an interview with CNBC, Christian Kane shared that he hopes the facility inspires kids “to be able to do things they didn’t think they’d be ever able to do.” When he had the opportunity to take Gavin and his friends to the new Field of Dreams ahead of its opening, the kids gave their stamp of approval. “You can hear the kids’ pure enjoyment in the background and you knew that that’s what they needed,” Kane continued.
But it’s more than just a place to have fun; doctors believe the facility will have a huge impact. “The opportunity to be playing, learning and showing off one’s abilities outside of the hospital is just as important sometimes as the medications and therapies that occur within the hospital,” says Matt McDonald, CEO of Children’s Specialized Hospital.
The hard part is over: The Kane’s built it––now they’ll come.
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