Nicky's first day of a Team Sport - Lookout Basketball

Today was Nicky's first day on a basketball league and it was fantastic! It was so exciting, me and my boy at his first day of a team sport...WOW. He doesn't know how to play, but it didn't matter he had a great time running back and forth, up and down the court. He got three chances to shoot and we were both grinning from ear to ear! Everyone tell's me he'll be playing like a pro in a few weeks :) LOL. I'm just happy he was there, in the game.

Tiny back story a parent told me today. Its a small league run by volunteer coaches. The head coach used to coach a traditional boys team, and one of the boys had a sister with special needs. Every week this young girl would yell "coach when do I get to play". She apparently asked this question all season. At the end of the season the coach said, get a team together an I'll coach you. This began a team of kids with all types of disabilities that has now grown to over 40 kids at a local park. The coach volunteers his time and he is phenomenal. He was so excited to have us, I felt like Nicky was first draft choice, playing for the Lakers.

Thank God for the people who do, because they care and because they can. Thank you Julius for getting little man on the court!

Note: Many of our unique kids with ASD have barriers to being able to participate in team sports. For some kids they can't handle the loud noise. Other's can't process the language fast enough to follow commands that are essential to play, some don't have the motor skills and others don't have the ability to reference or anticipate other players actions. Nicky just can't stay focused and he doesn't anticipate others. I am sure he will get hit by many a basket ball while he's looking the other direction..or just jumping up and down thinking about what he wants to do next. BONK!!! When he roller skates, I pull him around the rink, he doesn't look at where he is going, his body goes one way while his eye's are looking all around. He's a danger on wheels, but we keep trying. Don't see a drivers license in his future!