Helping Kids with Special Needs Get Involved in Athletics | Ep 25

Today we dive in with special guest Lisa Hashimoto Hall about how too often kids with special needs don’t get involved in the world of sports.  We talk about avenues that both parents and coaches can pursue to help make them feel welcome and step outside of their comfort zone to help them not only build relationships but also mental and emotional strength.

About Our Guest Lisa Hashimoto Hall

My name is Lisa Hashimoto Hall and I’m from Perry, UT.  I went to Box Elder High School in Brigham City, UT where I was a multi-sport athlete. I excelled in softball while at Box Elder and was a two-time state champion, three-time High School All-American, and the MVP of the 4A division in softball my junior year.   I was able to gain a softball scholarship to the University of Utah where I was a 4-year starter.  While at Utah I was awarded to be on the WAC All-Tournament team my junior year.  I’m also a career holder in stolen bases and sacrifice hits.  I met my husband at the University of Utah and was married in 1999.

I’ve coached off and on since my playing career ended in 2000.  I had an amazing opportunity right out of college to be an assistant coach at Utah State University close to my hometown.  I coached there for a few years and then hung up my coach’s shoes to start a family. I had my first son in 2003 and became pregnant soon after with my second son in 2005.  After a few years of raising my boys, I decided to go back to coaching at my local high school and try my hand as a head coach.  I was able to coach at my alma mater, Box Elder High school, and win a state championship.  It was around this time that my 2nd son received an autism diagnosis and my world turned upside down.  I decided to try coaching a few more years and do my best to provide early intervention for my son but had to put my coaching career on hold again when I became pregnant with my daughter.

For the next 9 years, I spent my time raising my children and providing the best education for my son.  It felt like a constant battle with a lot of highs and lows doing my best to raise a child with special needs.  Looking back now I can’t believe how far he’s come and the progress he’s made.  He is now 16 years old and doing very well in school and is on track to graduate.  I’m back into coaching my daughter’s travel softball team and enjoy watching my oldest son play baseball for the local high school.

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