Anything Is Possible

Last year, Melody Day entered the playground at Heritage Elementary School in Wentzville, Missouri. Six big musical instruments had just been installed, and the sixth-grader couldn’t help crying tears of joy.

The playground is called the Melody Garden, and it’s the result of two years of Melody’s hard work. She helped build a place where all kids can play. That includes kids like her, who use wheelchairs.

“I just want all kids to be happy,” she says.

Last year, Melody Day entered a playground at her school in Wentzville, Missouri. Six big musical instruments had just been installed. The sixth-grader cried with tears of joy.

The playground is called the Melody Garden. It’s the result of two years of Melody’s hard work. She helped build a place where all kids can play. That includes kids like her, who use wheelchairs.

“I just want all kids to be happy,” she says.

Melody came up with her plan two years ago. The playground at Heritage Elementary wasn’t accessible to her.

Melody couldn’t use any of the equipment. She couldn’t even roll her wheelchair through the gravel to get into the playground.

So, during recess, Melody’s friends would chat with her for a bit. Then they’d run off to the swings or monkey bars. That left Melody all alone.

“I just watched them go and play,” Melody recalls. “I would think to myself, ‘Why am I just sitting here?’”

Melody decided to look beyond the barriers. She saw an opportunity. She would help her school build a more inclusive playground! No kid would be left out because of a disability.

Melody came up with her plan two years ago. The playground at her school wasn’t accessible to her.

Melody couldn’t use any of the slides or swings. She couldn’t even roll her wheelchair through the gravel to get into the playground.

So, during recess, Melody’s friends would chat with her for a bit. Then they’d run off to the swings or monkey bars. That left Melody all alone.

“I just watched them go and play,” Melody recalls. “I would think to myself, ‘Why am I just sitting here?’”

Melody decided to look beyond the barriers. She had an idea. She would help her school build a more inclusive playground! No kid would be left out because of a disability.

Getting a new playground built wasn’t going to be easy, but Melody has never let a challenge stop her. She was born with a condition called cerebral palsy (CP). Many people with CP find it hard to control their muscles.

“I have trouble getting in and out of my wheelchair,” Melody explains. But she didn’t want to change things only for kids with CP.

“People in wheelchairs aren’t the only ones who have disabilities,” she says.

Getting a new playground built wasn’t going to be easy. But Melody has never let a challenge stop her. She was born with a condition called cerebral palsy (CP). Many people with CP find it hard to control their muscles.

“I have trouble getting in and out of my wheelchair,” Melody explains. But she didn’t want to change things only for kids with CP.

“People in wheelchairs aren’t the only ones who have disabilities,” she says.

Melody presented her idea for a new playground to her principal, who loved it. But the school didn’t have the money to pay for it.

Melody didn’t give up. She started a GoFundMe page online, where people donated money. Her classmates donated their allowances and held fund-raisers.

It took two years, but Melody’s dream finally became a reality. To Melody and others, the playground is a place that lets them know they belong.

Melody is helping plan a more inclusive playground for younger students. And she won’t stop there.

“Just because I have a wheelchair doesn’t mean I can’t make a difference!” Melody says.

Melody showed her idea for a new playground to her principal, who loved it. But the school didn’t have the money to pay for it.

Melody didn’t give up. She started a GoFundMe page online. People donated money for the playground. Her classmates donated their allowances. They also held fund-raisers.

It took two years, but Melody’s dream finally became a reality. To Melody and others, the playground is a place that lets them know they belong.

Melody is helping plan a more inclusive playground for younger students. And she won’t stop there.

“Just because I have a wheelchair doesn’t mean I can’t make a difference!” Melody says.

1. What is meant in the article when it says “Melody decided to look beyond the barriers”?

2. What clues in the text help you understand the meaning of accessible?

3. According to the sidebar, “Welcome to the Melody Garden,” what are some ways the playground at Melody’s school has been improved?

1. What is meant in the article when it says “Melody decided to look beyond the barriers”?

2. What clues in the text help you understand the meaning of accessible?

3. According to the sidebar, “Welcome to the Melody Garden,” what are some ways the playground at Melody’s school has been improved?