Bowling League for the challenged

BY VICTOR G. MIMONI

Thursday, August 30, 2007 12:09 PM EDT

It all started when Larry Hirsch wanted to take his 12-year-old, mentally challenged daughter bowling. Thirty-eight years later, they still go - only now there are 146 other bowlers.

“My daughter was at ACRMD (Association for Children with Retarded Mental Development, now known as Lifespire) from 1965 or so, and after a few years I became active there,” the 55-year Flushing resident recalled. “One day, I thought they needed some recreation, so a few of us parents took them bowling.”

Apparently, the bowling was such a hit that Lifespire now promotes their bowling league as “open to all ambulatory, individuals with developmental disabilities living at home or in residences.”

The 38th season starts on September 9, and according to Hirsch, “we have space for a few more ambulatory mentally challenged bowlers, aged 17 and up.”

They bowl at JIB Lanes, located at 67-19 Parsons Boulevard in Electchester, every Sunday from September to May, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. According to Hirsch, the registration fee is $2.00, and the charge for two games of bowling is $5.50, which includes 80 cents dues. JIB Lanes’ phone number is 718-591-0600.

The Flushing-based Lifespire, whose motto is “Helping individuals reach life’s aspirations” is proud of the league, and on their website (www.lifespire.org), they invite the public to come and see the bowling league in action.

Hirsch, a retired photo-engraver, has passed the reins for the bowling league to Julian Palmo, who is the program director for Lifespire. Palmo can be reached at sundaymorningbowling@lifespire.org or jpalmo@lifespire.org.