Sometimes all it takes to get an idea off the ground is a hometown connection. For Christian Kane of Toms River, that connection was former MLB All-Star Todd Frazier. Together, they helped bring Kane’s vision of an inclusive recreation space to life: The RWJBarnabas Health Field of Dreams.
This one-of-a-kind complex was designed for children and adults with special needs to enjoy sports, play, and community in a safe and a welcoming environment. Inspired by Kane’s son Gavin, who suffered a traumatic brain injury in 2012, the project grew from the simple idea of building a baseball field to a $3.6 million inclusive complex featuring a playground, basketball courts, and more.
The complex officially opened on April 30, 2022 with nearly 500 guests in attendance. Gavin threw out the first pitch to Frazier, marking a memory of years in the making.
At AMIB, we are inspired by projects like the Field of Dreams that open doors to inclusion and belonging. Our AMIB individuals love to visit the Field of Dreams and enjoy using its facilities. The Association for the Multiple Impaired Blind, Inc. (AMIB)’s mission is to promote community integration and participation of people who are blind or visually impaired and have multiple impairments by providing opportunities for community living, training, and support. The individuals we serve, had a day out and about at The Field of Dreams.
AMIB operates under the principle that each individual, regardless of their disabilities, was created as a unique person with the right to enjoy experiences while living within a community, the right to responsibility, and the right to contribute to the richness and fullness of our society. We are dedicated to ensuring that the people we serve are given the opportunity for full inclusion.