Image: Isabella Cambareri and Ryan Wilcha
By: Sophia Braida
Ryan Wilcha, a freshman at Wallenpaupack, recently returned to the unified bocce court with a new ramp designed to help him play more independently. Ryan was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a genetic condition that causes progressive muscle weakness. As the condition has advanced, Ryan has become wheelchair-reliant and has lost much of his upper-body mobility. While this has changed how he participates in sports, it has not changed his desire to be part of the unified bocce team.
Ryan previously played unified bocce for two years in middle school. At that time, he released the ball by rolling it down his leg, which followed Special Olympics rules requiring athletes to control their release. Although it worked, the method was not ideal. During his first meet this season, Ryan used a ramp that clipped to his wheelchair and automatically released the ball, limiting his control.
The push for a better solution began at the start of the school year when Ryan attended the activity fair and said he wanted to join unified bocce team. Coaches DeCola and Schkolenko immediately began exploring ways to make his participation as independent as possible, with Ryan included in those conversations. They ultimately decided on a motorized ramp that would allow for the most possible control of the ball.
The ramp allows Ryan to control every aspect of his roll. Using a wireless controller, he can move the ramp left and right to aim and up and down to adjust speed. A button-activated release holds the ball in place until he is ready to roll. With help from a teammate to position the ramp and place the ball, Ryan determines where and when it is released.
The ramp was created through a collaborative community effort. Mr. Greenberger and his aviation students assisted with the conceptual design and metal fabrication. Mr. Arigot of United Metals donated materials and his time to cut, bend, and weld metal components. Dr. Schkolenko and her students 3D-printed parts to help the ramp run smoothly and programmed a robotics kit to power it.
Coach DeCola explains, “Having the ramp is so important for Ryan because it allows him to play as independently as any of our other participants.”
Mr. Greenberger added that the ramp “gives Ryan mobility he would not otherwise have and the opportunity to play with the rest of the team.”
Work on the ramp began in early November and was completed in January. Ryan debuted it at a meet later that month and has used it in every game since. On January 29, his team won two of three games, defeating both of Delaware Valley’s teams before falling to Dunmore. He also used it to compete in a meet on February 3, where his team beat Mid Valley 7-2. Right now, their overall score is 5 wins and 3 losses, putting then in a great place to advance further into the season.
For Ryan, the ramp has already made a big difference. “It helps me do bocce and play independently,” he said, reflecting on how the device allows him to fully take part in the sport he loves while maintaining ultimate control over every play.
