Wanting To Be Part of Something
Yes it’s for the exercise and with the hope of Charlie picking up some new skills of catching and throwing and shooting: These are all reasons why we signed Charlie up for Special Olympics basketball. But it’s also for the reason that Gemma Gallagher states on watching her 14-year-old son, David, playing basketball with the University of Albany women’s basketball team:
“Often while watching David, I can see that he wants to be a part of something, but doesn’t have the ability to relate mutually with others…….In reality autism interferes with having real friendships. We’ve just been watching and enjoying today so much. Just seeing him smile makes this a good day.”
Charlie did not walk up to any kids last Wednesday and say “hi” but his eager smile told us he was glad to be there. A girl about his height with Down Syndrome tried to get his attention to hold up his arms to catch a pass; a boy on the spectrum who was a bit older called “Charlie, run! Run, Charlie, run!” (they were both the last to start and finish).
Charlie and I are meeting Jim at the mall tonight to get basketball sneakers: Tomorrow night he’ll be running with the team.
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POSTED IN: Friendship, Sports
11 opinions for Wanting To Be Part of Something
Marla
Jan 15, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Awesome! I am so happy for Charlie. It sounds like it will be a great time for all of you. Have fun buying the sneakers!
Patrick
Jan 15, 2008 at 5:17 pm
As long as he keeps smiling and having fun with the other kids I think the basketball is a Wonderful thing! (of course a scowl or frown on occasion may happen, but hopefully you and Jim can help him work out a way to deal with the off moments.)
gretchen
Jan 15, 2008 at 5:46 pm
Go Charlie go! I look forward to following his progress (on and off the court, of course).
kyra
Jan 15, 2008 at 10:39 pm
this sounds wonderful! i’m excited for charlie and can’t wait to hear more!
goodfountain
Jan 15, 2008 at 11:35 pm
I’m excited for Charlie! What an exciting, fun and hopefully rewarding adventure to try.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Jan 16, 2008 at 12:10 am
He kept the new shoes on from the time we got them at Foot Locker till it was time for shower and bed!
Justthisguy
Jan 16, 2008 at 1:53 am
Have you considered setting up a basketball goal out on the driveway? I somewhat enjoyed, when young, trying to get the ball into the basket. The team aspects, not so much.
Cliff
Jan 16, 2008 at 4:35 am
Glad to hear he’s trying this!
Cliff
Brett
Jan 16, 2008 at 11:34 am
It’s been many years now, but Z always looked forward to the various sports seasons with “Challenged Youth” sports in NJ. I’m not sure how much he got from the sports part, but he loved being there. He may not have interacted with the other kids much, but he got something out of just being with them.
Here in STL he participated in Special Olympics track one year. Now that he is in High School, he is thinking about trying out for the track team. We’ll see how it goes.
Emily
Jan 16, 2008 at 2:20 pm
This is great. No matter who you are, there’s nothing like finding a place to have fun and fit in.
Kristina Chew, PhD
Jan 16, 2008 at 2:48 pm
We got a hoop for Charlie a year ago but had to leave it behind when we moved out of my in-laws’ house. There’s a quiet parking lot now outside our condo — we could get the hoop but I think that might be a bit of a project! But we can certainly work on dribbling, throwing, passing, catching.
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