Huffington Magazine Issue 1 | Page 120

Exit speech therapist, Karena Romstad, Blakemore formed Unlimited Play, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to raising money, planning and building accessible playgrounds where children of all abilities can have fun together. Victoria Schmitt Babb, who joined Unlimited Play in 2004, described Blakemore as the “mom on a mission” who helped start an inclusive playground movement. “Natalie saw the need and started it from her kitchen table,” Schmitt Babb said. A PLAYGROUND FOR EVERYONE Unlimited Play has become a fulltime job and passion for Blakemore and Schmitt Babb, who work together from home to raise money, design playgrounds, and spread a message of understanding differences through the universal language of play. Today the organization has successfully built three parks in Missouri, including Zachary’s Playground in Lake Saint Louis, Shaw Park Tree Top Playground in Clayton and Brendan’s Playground in O’Fallon. Unlimited Play’s next project is scheduled to be complete this summer in Jaycee Park in St. Charles. GREATEST PERSON OF THE WEEK HUFFINGTON 06.17.12 Two new projects — one in Breese, Illinois and another in Kansas City — are also in the works. Blakemore and Schmitt Babb say it’s important for people to understand Unlimited Play playgrounds are not just for children who struggle with disabilities. “The whole point is for everyone to play together,” Natalie said. WORTH THE TRIP One mother, Kim Gibson, drives an hour and a half several times a year to bring her 12-year-old daughter Gracie, who has Cerebral Palsy, to Zachary’s Playground. “It empowers her It empowers and makes her feel her and makes like she’s not just a her feel like child in a wheelchair she’s not just because she can play a child in a with kids who aren’t wheelchair in wheelchairs,” Gibbecause she can son added. play with kids She said the playwho aren’t in ground is well worth wheelchairs.” the drive when she sees her daughter having fun and interacting with others in a safe place. “As a parent, that just makes you happy. You want the best for your child and for her to be