Roar for Blue Thunder

Each week in LYSA TOPSoccer presents a new experience, a new memory, a new friend. 

I had the honor of working with a young athlete by the name of Sophie one sunny, yet chilly, Sunday.  Sophie stands very tall at just eight years old and has both a physical and mental disability.  She only communicates through sounds and motions, and often struggles to stand up straight on her own.  

Buddy, Savannah, guides her athlete along
the field through coordination drills.

Jack, a UK graduate student, and I were both assigned to be Sophie’s Buddies for the day.  We supported Sophie both physically and mentally throughout practice.  We each held one arm and guided her up and down the field as she dribbled the ball.  We quickly learned how to communicate with her and understand her version of sign language.  For instance, Sophie only responded when we counted to three upon kicking the soccer ball.  She was also motivated by the goldfish snacks her mom gave Jack to keep in his pocket.  “Desperate times call for desperate matters when she stops cooperating.  She is purely food motivated, smart girl,” her mom teased. 

For some athletes at TOPSoccer, practice is defined as successful when they are able to score a goal or complete the coordination drills, as seen in the photo on the left.  For other athletes, such as Sophie, success is simply defined as being active and practicing the connecting of her foot with the ball.  Sophie did not participate in the team drills.  Rather, the three of us repeatedly circled the field as she practiced dribbling the ball.  We cheered her on, as did her mom from the side-line.  

Blue Thunder athletes playing a 3v3 scrimmage
with guidance from Buddies.

Perhaps the sweetest moment of the whole practice was when Sophie scored a goal in the three versus three scrimmage.  Blue Thunder practice concludes with a small scrimmage each week, as shown in the picture.  Coach Chris requested that Sophie join a team and try to score a goal with teammates by her side.  The opposing team stood back as Sophie, Jack, and I approached the goal with the soccer ball.  Her teammates stood close by, encouraging her to keep going.  When Sophie scored, both teams went wild, praising her work.  I knew in that moment that Sophie understood the magnitude of her actions when she tried to jump up and down, flailing her arms, while screaming.  I was proud of Sophie.  So was Jack. 

After practice, Sophie’s mother thanked us for working so well with her daughter.  She told Jack and I that she had never seen two students connect with Sophie so well.  My heart melted when Sophie gave me a hug goodbye.  While she could not verbally say goodbye, she still expressed her appreciation. 

After stressful weeks of school and missing home, soccer practice with these wonderful athletes changes my whole perspective.  That day, Sophie reminded me that life is a series of small victories, conquered one step at a time.  Sometimes, the most simple of moments turn out to be the most special.  I was honored to have the chance to work with Sophie.  She is a beautiful, inspiring young girl.