TOPSoccer Scores

Kicking, punching, screaming, yelling,

Shouting, crying, pushing, shoving,

A buddy helps an athlete kick the ball

Biting, fighting, cursing, spitting,

But all in the name of fun.

LYSA TOPSoccer is a program that assists disabled children and adults with athletic development and social interactions. With the help of ‘buddies’, each athlete learns the game of soccer and also develops a special relationship with their buddy. As a volunteer, the hope is to have a buddy that listens well and can copy the instructions. Unfortunately, this past week when I went to volunteer, I did not have a buddy and was very disappointed.

Though I didn’t have a buddy, I was still able to interact with the athletes as a goalie and cheerleader. At one point while I was playing as goalie, after one of the athletes scored on me, he ran behind me inside the goal and started dancing his “victory dance” and singing his “victory song”. It was pretty cute.

The athletes were doing a ‘relay race’ and I was cheering them on. At one point, an athlete named Alvin was really struggling to complete the obstacle and it was very rewarding to encourage him to push through and finish the race.

One reason that I feel so attached to these kids is because my cousin is severely autistic and I have worked with him and his golf team during Special Olympics. His name is Christopher and he inspires me every day. He struggles with the simple things like tying his shoes and going to the bathroom. Christopher has given me a new perspective on people with disabilities and on life in general. He inspired me to take a sign language class to better communicate with him and he inspired me to volunteer at LYSA TOPSoccer to get to know the disabled community in Lexington.

From volunteering at LYSA TOPSoccer, I hope to gain a better understanding of what it is like dealing every day with an incurable illness. I also want to develop a special bond with my buddy.