Disabled extra needs

Will was the first buddy I ever had while working at TOPSoccer and he is not the biggest soccer fan. During the ‘scrimmage’ at the end of practice, I would put him right in front of the ball or put the ball right in front of him and he would not kick it. He would let the ball roll over his feet before he would kick it or move at all. He wanted to sit down all throughout practice and when I talked to him it didn’t feel like he was hearing or understanding me because he wouldn’t respond some times.

Will is the biggest University of Kentucky football fan that I have ever met. I asked, “What about basketball?” and he looked at me like I was crazy. “I like football,” he said. He is dressing up like a Kentucky football player for Halloween.

As he was leaving with his mom, I heard her say that Will would be up in Wisconsin with his dad next weekend. This made me think about how hard it must be on a family to raise a disabled child. All the extra care must be so overwhelming for everyone. The schools are different, the summer activities are different, and there is more of a need for babysitters. Nothing would be the same. I have a cousin who is so severely disabled that the doctors don’t know everything that is wrong. He is autistic and mute plus some other things that honestly I don’t know or remember. His name is Christopher and he is my uncle’s step son. He’s 19 but functions like a toddler in some senses. He communicates with a combination of sign language, grunts, and he tugs on people if he wants attention. He knows when he needs to go to the bathroom but he does not close the door, flush the toilet, or wash his hands. Christopher is someone who will probably not be able to live by himself without care ever. His mom is the primary care giver and if anything happens to her, Christopher’s dad gets custody. After that I am uncertain if Christopher’s older sister or step dad gets custody.

Christopher is a lot of work but he is so amazing. With actions alone, I can tell that he has such a fantastic heart and a good soul and everyone that meets him falls head over heels in love with him. I have wondered a few times if Christopher is the reason that his mom and dad got a divorce but then I see how much his mom loves her new husband and I realize that maybe Christopher put a little bit of stress on the relationship, but they divorced because they knew there were better people out there for both of them. Having a disabled child would be incredibly stressful and I admire those who do it with such grace and elegance.

Me and Will at TOPSoccer