The Eagles All Abilities Drumline Clinic has played a significant role in the life of Lower Dauphin High School senior Ben Esquibel. Previously shy, Esquibel found confidence and community after participating in the clinic, which he first attended with his family in 2023.
Ben’s father, Dustin Esquibel, noted the positive changes brought about by the experience. “The EAF (Eagles Autism Foundation) and the All Abilities Clinics have truly given him his cape of competence,” he 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.”
Now entering its third year, the Eagles All Abilities Drumline Clinic will hold its next session on October 19, 2025. The event offers people from various backgrounds an opportunity to play drums with support from Mapex Drums.
“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,” said Ryan Hammond, Executive Director of the Eagles Autism Foundation. “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.”
Jeff Mulvihill of Mapex Drums USA emphasized music’s importance: “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.”
Tim Schuback, Chief Operating Officer of Steve Weiss Music—which supports the Eagles Drumline—added: “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. Music started in our history with basic rhythms, even the simplest rhythmic patterns have shown they have the power to connect us.”
Earlier this year at Milton Hershey School, Ben was named an honorary member of the Eagles Drumline and performed on stage with them. He also met Saquon Barkley during this event and later had an opportunity to meet Jalen Hurts at another team-related function.
Reflecting on his experiences with these events and organizations supporting neurodiverse individuals like himself, Ben said: “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. 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.” He added: “I was just a shy kid before, but look at me now. 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.”
