Sasha Albright | Congregation Shaare Emeth

The Disabled Athlete Sports Association, better known as DASA, specializes in therapeutic sport and fitness opportunities for children and adults who live with a physical or visual disability, or are deaf or hard of hearing. 

Sasha, son of Danna and Bill Albright of University City, volunteered with DASA athletes for his mitzvah project. Since he likes track and cross country as well as helping others, this was a perfect match.

As a coach, Sasha carried out DASA’s mission of encouraging his athletes to seek their highest level of independence and become involved to the fullest extent with their non-disabled peers and their community. By working with his athletes, he helped improve their self-esteem.

Sasha ran track with his kids, sometimes as a pacer. He also ran next to an athlete with a prosthetic, others who were blind or deaf and would help them navigate the track. 

Another time Sasha led group exercises when there wasn’t an adult available.

A student at Brittany Woods Middle School, Sasha loved being with the DASA kids. He never once talked about their disabilities, only about what they were doing and what they can do.

“It was a great experience,” Sasha said. “I loved working with the athletes. They never give up.”