Special: Give Us a Game (2010)

Special - Give Us A Game is an eight-year study, written and directed by Karl J. Niemiec and produced by Coconut Productions, exploring the social benefits gained by athletes afflicted with Autism, Down Syndrome, Strokes, Aspergers Disorder, Physical Birth Defects and basic Neurological Deficits who are members of Special Hockey International and American Special Hockey Association. Starting in 1999, this documentary follows Ben Niemiec and his special hockey team, the Michigan FAR Flyers, in their search for a game with their peers, to hockey tournaments in St. Louis, Chicago, Arlington Virginia, Washington DC and Canada. During tournament and banquette activities, spliced with then and now footage of the Michigan FAR Flyers, coaches, parents, players, teachers, speech pathologists and music therapist all express their professional and personal opinions on why playing organized hockey is such a positive social experience for Special Needs Athletes, their families, and friends. Special - Give Us A Game is dedicated to the boys, girls, men, and women who play, coach or support Special Hockey and seeks to help Special Hockey achieve their goals of being an international recognized Sporting Organization of over 100 Special Hockey Teams so that the Athletes, their families, and friends can participate in more tournaments more often.