Glen Ellyn man skydives to support WDSRA

Most of us in Dan Bak’s position would have a few questions racing through our minds.

With the plane door open at a height of 13,000 feet, we’d have a right to wonder, “Is my parachute packed correctly?” “Will I pull the cord OK?” “Can I land without hurting myself?” “Why am I doing this?”

But Dan Bak knows exactly why he’s jumping out of an airplane for the first time today.

Because his daughter, Sarah, fearlessly springs off the high dive.

Because his daughter, Sarah, ice skates and swims and plays soccer.

And because his daughter, Sarah, has gained so much as a person because of the experiences she’s had through the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association.

Sarah, 11, has Down syndrome but is growing up active, involved and social with the support she receives through WDSRA.

The nonprofit organization is a collaboration of the Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Glen Ellyn, Naperville, Roselle, Warrenville, West Chicago, Wheaton and Winfield park districts. Now celebrating 35 years of helping children and adults with special needs, WDSRA is hosting a Jump-A-Thon sky diving fundraiser today to support its programming.

More than 4,500 children and adults with special needs take part in WDSRA programs, trips and special events each year. Meanwhile, WDSRA provides aides to help those with special needs take part in standard park district programming; offers opportunities such as Special Olympics, adapted sports programs, dance, art, social clubs and camps; and leads disability awareness programs for schools and groups.

All told, WDSRA’s reach is more than 15,000 people a year.

WDSRA has been there with Sarah as she’s taken so many steps in her life, Bak said. A WDSRA aide supported her in preschool and WDSRA made it possible for her to medal in the Special Olympics.

So when Dan Bak stands in that plane looking out at the clear blue yonder and the ground so far below, he’ll think of Sarah. He’ll draw from her confidence. And he’ll jump for WDSRA.

Today Bak, of Glen Ellyn, tells us more about Sarah and her experiences through WDSRA.

What inspires someone to willingly jump out of an airplane at 13,000 feet and fall to the ground at 120 mph? The answer for me is easy. My daughter, Sarah, inspires me to accomplish things I otherwise never would.

Additionally, a phenomenal organization, Western DuPage Special Recreation Association, benefits from our fundraising.

Sarah is a typical 11-year-old who often thinks she is really 17. Sarah loves to read, listen to Justin Bieber, have friends over and help her mom, dad and brother, Matthew. Sarah also has Down syndrome.

Activities are frequently more challenging for individuals with Down syndrome due to their lower muscle tone and other health challenges.

Sarah has experienced her own health issues, ranging from having open heart surgery at 13 weeks to chronic respiratory issues — most recently recovering from pneumonia less than two weeks ago.

Due to these physical and health issues, and because they may need more hands-on training, individuals with special needs often are segregated from their peers and unable to participate in their local park district activities.

Here is one way WDSRA helps. WDSRA designs services, including providing support staff specific to each child’s needs. Our children are able to learn and practice skills needed throughout their lifetime and, through these activities, an individual establishes self-confidence, which results in deeper friendships and social independence. Reasonable accommodations are provided at no cost to the parents.

WDSRA provided Sarah preschool support staff as well as aides to enable her to participate in ice skating and swimming classes, soccer and cheerleading camp. As a result, Sarah has won numerous medals — including gold — at the Illinois Special Olympics Winter Games, can swim like a fish and has developed lasting friendships with her peers and community.

So, as the plane climbs to 13,000 feet, I expect I will be thinking about how I’ve lost my sanity. I’ll think about how Sarah is fearless on the high diving board at our community pool.

And, as I jump, I’ll think about how WDSRA helps Sarah and the other 4,500 individuals with special needs achieve goals others did not think were possible. I’ll think about all the challenges these individuals face every day, how hard they work and how, with practice and the proper training/guidance, anything is possible.

All the money raised goes to the WDSRA Foundation, which will continue to fund recreational programs for children and adults with disabilities, including Special Olympics sports, wheelchair and adapted sports, social clubs, trips and outings, camps and drama, dance and music.

Please consider sponsoring any of the jumpers. Donations can be made online at wdsra.com/WDSRA-Foundation/Jump2011/danbak.htm.

Thank you for supporting WDSRA.

If you go

If you go

What: Jumpathon for WDSRA

Why: Proceeds support the WDSRA Foundation and programs to assist children and adults with special needs

When: Saturday, June 4

Where: Skydive Chicago in Ottawa

Donate: wdsra.com

Info: (630) 681-0962