For Lower Dauphin High School senior Ben Esquibel, the Eagles All Abilities Drumline Clinic has changed his life.
As a self-described shy person growing up, Ben loved playing the drums, and in 2023 he and his family decided to sign up for the clinic on a whim. They made the two-hour drive from Hershey, and it shifted everything in Ben's life.
Esquibel has become more comfortable and outgoing since, and the change was clear to those around him.
"The EAF (Eagles Autism Foundation) and the All Abilities Clinics have truly given him his cape of competence," Ben's father, Dustin, said. "They have given him a voice. ... They've given him a chance to stand up and advocate for himself and be a part of a mission that is top notch that no other NFL team can even come close to."
The Eagles All Abilities Drumline Clinic is entering its third year, with the 2025 session coming on October 19. Tickets can be purchased here.
"Launching the abilities clinic for us was really easy, because we saw the appetite for this community, who is often misrepresented in when activities are available," Eagles Autism Foundation Executive Director Ryan Hammond said. "We saw that not just having an opportunity for them to be supported in just general offerings, but to dedicate offerings to the community that we serve every day was so important."
The clinic gives people of all walks of life the opportunity to play the Eagles Drumline drums, which are supplied by Mapex.
"At Mapex Drums, we believe that music is an essential part of life for all individuals and that it provides a positive contribution to society as a whole," said Jeff Mulvihill of Mapex Drums USA.
In the one-of-a-kind-clinic, the music brings everyone together in a unique way while giving all the opportunity to learn and grow.
"The sound of percussion instruments is unique in that it can lift your mood, spark a familiar feeling from the past, or build a sense of community," said Tim Schuback, the Chief Operating Officer of Steve Weiss Music, which supports the Eagles Drumline. "Music started in our history with basic rhythms, even the simplest rhythmic patterns have shown they have the power to connect us."
In April, the Eagles Drumline came to Milton Hershey School and Esquibel was named an honorary member and got to perform on stage with the group. After, he got to meet Saquon Barkley, who surprised the students.
The whole process has been transformative for Ben, who is a part of the neurodiverse community.
"They're just a great organization, the Eagles Autism Foundation, and when they put on events like the Eagles Drumline Clinic, it's just so much fun," Ben said. "You get to hang out there, you get to sit in a circle, play the drums, it's just amazing and it's helped me grow a lot."
In addition to meeting Barkley, Ben had the opportunity to meet Jalen Hurts at the Kids Club Press Conference on Tuesday.
It was a surreal moment for Ben, and something he knows wouldn't be possible before attending the Eagles All Abilities Drumline Clinic.
"I was just a shy kid before, but look at me now," he said. "I feel like I can be who I want to be now because of the Eagles Autism Foundation and what they've done for me." — Written by Matt Ryan
