LA CROSSE (WKBT) -- Some State Road fifth graders are working to make playing together possible for everyone.
Being a kid means freedom to play.
Recess gives nine-year-old Finley Weber that freedom.
“My favorite part of recess is playing with my friends," Finley said.
Finley uses a wheelchair, so his recess at State Road Elementary looks different.
Right now, he does a lot of racing.
Finley’s mom Emilie Weber says their family is new to State Road Elementary.
"I am sure he’d like to be able to get on, you know, the actual equipment and be a part of that play too, but he just hasn’t been able to. So he adapts in other ways,” Weber said.
The school district installed a swing and a ramp Finley could use.
Still, his options are limited compared to other kids.
“It’s not fair that other kids get to play on the playground," said Piper Cottrell, a State Road Elementary fifth grader.
Four state road fifth graders noticed those limits.
"He gets all dressed up in his winter gear, but all he can do is roll on the pavement and not play on any playground equipment—so we wanted to make playground equipment that he can play on," said Maven Olson, another state road fifth grader.
Maeven, Piper and two other kids took their concerns to the public.
A few weeks ago, they pitched an all-abilities playground idea at a La Crosse SOUP crowdfunding event.
There, the girls won an about $3,200 grant to bring accessible equipment to their school.
“Lots of kids like to play with Finley, and it’s not just for Finley, like everyone can play on it," Maeven said.
As Finley’s mom, Weber is grateful for their empathy.
"They were able to imagine, probably, what his recess was like. And they wanted to change that—for him and for other kids," Weber said.
Weber is also thankful for the friendship Finley has found at State Road.
"Getting to play with tons of kids like him and not like him has been—it went from being something scary to me to being something so incredible to witness," Weber said.
The playground could be space that includes all kids for years to come.
The money raised at La Crosse SOUP and an additional $1,200 from a Facebook fundraiser is helping the school buy special instruments, a digger without a chair, and accessible monkey bars.
Now-- the school is asking for your help to do more for kids like Finley.
A fully accessible playground is one of their goals, and that costs thousands of dollars.
Rebecca Anderson, president of State Road Elementary PTO, has a fundraiser on Facebook. You can donate to the cause here.
You can also donate to the cause with a check.
Just mail it to State Road Elementary and make it out to "State Road PTO."
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