Team spirit? (4)

So much for teaching tolerance at school and teaching kids that it's the love of the game that counts.
Some people just burn me.
This mom has the right idea......encourage not discourage.



Vancouver girl with Down syndrome fights to play soccer
Tue Sep 25, 12:36 AM



VANCOUVER (CBC) - There's been an outpouring of generosity and goodwill for an 11-year old Vancouver girl who has a passion for soccer but was told she could not take part in games because she has Down syndrome.


Abbe Gates said her daughter, Sadie, is able and can keep up with other children during games.


"I love soccer because it's fun ... like to kick the ball and run," Sadie said.


Sadie's first practice was not a good experience for her mother, because the coach told her Sadie could practise but not play on game days because she would be a liability to the team.


"It crushed me. It really hurt," Abbe Gates told CBC News Monday.


"I lost it in tears because I thought, 'How am I going to explain to her? How am I going to tell Sadie that she cannot play because she has Down syndrome?"


Sadie's mother set out to form her own team - one that welcomes children with all kinds of skills.


Gates wrote a letter to a local newspaper, which led to an explosion of support for Sadie and her family from parents, coaches and perfect strangers.


Maleena Pardham, owner of a sports store, said she was horrified to hear a child's first experience could be so bad.


"I think it would be a great experience for the children on the team because they could see that there are no limits in life," said Pardham, who has played soccer for 22 years.


"I think he should have turned around and made it a positive instead of a negative for her," Pardham said.


If and when Sadie's team gets up and running, Pardham said she's going to offer to donate all the uniforms.

I hope it happens!


B

Curly, good for you for finding these stories.

Here's a true one.

Zack was 13 years old and diagnosed with Frederick's Ataxia. It's a form of MS in that the muscles deteriorate and there is no cure. He was already having balance problems and much pain. He wanted very much to play high school football and went to the first practice on a Friday night. He spent the weekend in bed or his wheel chair and in a lot of pain. He couldn't wait for the next practice. His mom didn't try to discourage him although she knew that he could never make the team.

While this was going on, Zack informed his coach, who was also his Phys. ed teacher, of his disease and the fact that he would shortly be full time in a wheelchair. This coach (teacher) should be commended for his response. Zack had already heard all the sympathy he wanted to hear but this guy just smiled and said, "Wheelchair? Do you know how much fun wheelchair basketball is? I'll train you."

He didn't make the football team but he was kept as a manager/waterboy and therefore a part of the team.

His mom is my daughter and I'm very proud of them both.