Of all my years working for the YAI newsletter, I had never been to the Central Park Challenge, which is YAI’s biggest event of the year. This year was important, as it was the 40th anniversary of the event. Before attending, I wondered what it would actually be like, despite the website describing some of the things that would be at the event. I thought I might get a better idea by experiencing it in person. It turns out that the event was great, and a nice way to spend a morning.
When I first walked in, I noticed the event was truly sensory friendly, evident in the music being lower than it would be at a traditional event. I also loved all the free giveaways and activities, especially the Long Island region’s tie-dye shirts and the craft station from the Brooklyn region where you could make a pouch! I also ran into Sarah from the YAI newsletter at one of the booths, and introduced her to my dad and sister. I was also able to talk to the ReelAbilities representatives about the review of “Lone Wolves” I did for them. I also saw Orlando from the YAI newsletter pass me by and said hello to him, but he just said “hi” back before going to where he needed to go! He looked like he was doing something important, as he had a megaphone with him.
The performances were also very interesting. I especially loved that one of the dance groups did a dance to Golden from “K-Pop Demon Hunters” in the correct outfits the HUNTRIX girls wore while performing that song in the movie. Talk about commitment to the bit! Another group danced to Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’ by Michael Jackson and got the audience to dance with them, which was a pretty fun moment. There was a jazz band that played before the awards ceremony. Their music had an authentic New Orleans sound to it, and this woman in the band had her kids dancing with her while she was performing with the band, which was pretty cute.
After two hours, it was time for the main ceremony. Bill Ritter, who I knew from Eyewitness News on ABC when my mom would put it on as a kid, took the stage to deliver a speech. He compared what YAI does to the current state of the Knicks attempting to do better and win—a very trendy topic for New Yorkers. He also brought up how far we’ve come with how we treat disabled people, and how news exposés like the one about Willowbrook helped with this. He also delivered an inspiring thought: to remember what we are marching for. Then, a representative of YAI spoke, and I learned that YAI started in 1957. The representative shouted out the organizations that were alongside YAI at the event, and reminded everyone what exactly the money raised today was going to: YAI’s services for the disabled community.
Overall, I had a great day, even if I didn’t walk due to slightly inclement weather. It was such a joyous celebration of people with disabilities, and I loved all the free stuff there. However, if I could do one thing differently if I came next time, I would actually arrive at 9:00 AM instead of 8:00AM, as I was left waiting for a while even after doing everything at the booths. I would highly recommend my friends outside of YAI come to this event at least once!