DISABILITY AWARENESS WEEK AND HOP-A-THON

Idaho mayors have teamed together to create Disability Awareness Week this April 19-24. Disability Awareness Week gives us time to reflect on the various abilities of people with disabilities and it also creates a good atmosphere for treatment and cures for the citizens of Idaho affected by disabilities.

During Disability Awareness Week, something very important is going to be taking place in local schools and day care centers: the Muscular Dystrophy Association's Hop-A-Thon program for children. The MDA Hop-A-Thon is a disability awareness and education program based around the three core values of Awareness, Acceptance and Assistance. The program encourages students at an early age to learn and explore those principals at a very basic level. It plants the seed for further learning and discussion about disabilities, empathy, acceptance, the power to make a difference and even body mechanics.

The MDA Hop-A-Thon is a weeklong lesson plan that teaches children about disability awareness. This program is also a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association to help fund research to cure the 43 different types of muscle wasting diseases that MDA supports. MDA provides all the materials needed for the program including lesson plans for the Hop-A-Thon so Idaho's children are able to get the most from Disability Awareness Week.

If you are interested in participating please contact the Muscular Dystrophy Association here in Boise at 208-327-0107, or feel free to email us at boisedistrict@mdausa.org.