Chase's Heartbreak :(

I received an email yesterday from a group that organizes sport for youth with disabilities.

Nothing new in that, I’ve received many over the years but have chosen not to respond. The main reason was that we don’t see Chase as having a disability- more a health issue that causes him some challenges.

CF itself is a health issue. It’s the affects of it that can cause the disability – for Chase he has a serious lack of gross and find motor skills. This is mainly due to his body inability to get the nutrients from food that he needs to build muscle and strength.  

Chase has never ever let anything stand in the way of his love of sports. From Saturday school soccer to summer athletics he is always in there trying his hardest to keep up with his mates.

On Monday, Chase’s school had Rugby League. Chase was just so excited because he was getting to play. He went off to school with the hugest grin.

That sun warming grin was replaced with the saddest face I have ever seen Chase wear.

The sadness came from the fact that like many of the other sports teams Chase tries to be part of; his lack of skills is seen as letting the side down so he is benched more than he plays. And for the league tournament – the other kids wouldn’t pass him the ball.

My heart just broke for him.  We know Chase isn’t the best – but his attitude and will to play often exceeds some of his more able team mates. We also understand the teams desire to win, Chase wants that too.

So when this email came in, I read it. Then I read it again. Then I asked Chase if he’d like to go and check it out. Of course he was going to say yes- it was sports!

So we went and can I say it was the best thing I have ever done for my gorgeous son.

Chase was in there and having a ball. he didn’t know what to do and he was shy initially but he soon got over that as everyone made him feel welcome and more importantly he wasn’t side lined for making a mistake.

He wasn’t benched for getting it wrong – he just tried and tried and was rewarded when one of the bigger guys asked him if he’d like to SLAM DUNK as he was lifted skyward.

If only I had that damn video camera – it would have been priceless.

Still there is always next week – yep we are going again.

Our thanks to have to go to Sports Opportunityas well as to John Davey CEO of Waikato Basketball for the wherewithall to think of Chase and make the contact for us

THANKS GUYS for making Chase smile!