by Michelle Nichol

Registration fee…$60, uniform…$15, soccer shoes…$50, the smile on his face when he scored his first goal…priceless!

I know there are some who just do not believe that God is still in the miracle business, but I will have to take exception with those folks, and you’ll never convince me otherwise.  I’ve seen them first hand. Now, for most parents a first soccer goal may well be something to celebrate but falls far short of being a miracle; if it’s any miracle at all.  Also, most parents haven’t sat in a doctor’s office being told their child had cerebral palsy and may never walk. That's why our son’s goal was a miracle by anyone’s standard.

Five and a half years ago when our son was eight-months-old he was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.  He had mild left-side brain damage which was certain to affect the right side of his body.  While the damage was considered ‘mild’ it was also in the main motor pathway affecting his ability to use his right leg, arm, and hand.  The first neurologist was uncertain as to whether he would even be able to walk. The second opinion we received indicated he would walk, but how well, the doctor wouldn’t even venture a guess. We began physical and occupational therapy almost immediately and did it five times a week. Our first huge miracle occurred when he was 23 months old and took his first step.  Through many years of hard work and determination on his part and his dedicated therapists, he is not only walking but he’s also running.  He may not be as fast as the other kids his age just yet, but he’s running none the less.

Jase’s therapist suggested we keep him as active as possible, so we chose the Upward Sports Program.  We chose Upward over the local community league for several reasons.  The main reason was they believe and gear their programs around the motto “every child is a winner.”  Their focus is not on winning rather it is on training the children for a sport and promoting their self-esteem. They offer basketball, soccer, cheerleading, and flag football through church organizations (www.upward.org). We chose soccer and started him at age 5.

  
He is a very determined little boy and after one of his soccer games he said that he wished he could run faster so he could keep up with the other kids. Even though soccer rules prohibit the use of the hands, it is still difficult for him because of the muscle tightness in his right leg.  It’s a challenge for him to stand on his right leg to kick with the left or vise versa.  He has had to really practice, and although he cannot kick while running, he can kick if he stands still in front of the ball.  However, aoweoiweves you probably know, in soccer this really isn’t possible so his coach worked with him.  The coach taught him how to stay ‘ahead’ of the other boys by staying near his goal which would make him open to receive long passes and be able to score before the rest of the boys reached the goal. Even this strategy was a miracle in its self because it worked.  He received a long pass and kicked! Scooooooooore!! The crowd goes wild!  

This great little kid with the big smile may not be a ball handler because he isn't fast enough, nor is he strong on defense, but he is determined to do his part. And speaking of smiles, the one on his precious face that day after he scored the goal could have lit up any room or, in this case, a soccer field. That smile made five years of therapy four to seven times per week all worth it and more.

I am so grateful for all the patient, resourceful people in this world like his Upward soccer coach and all his therapists. They are very special people helping him achieve success beyond what we knew he could. They are patient and loving when working with him and they never make him feel different or inadequate. They are always encouraging and build him up. It is so true that God blesses people through people and He places them in our lives as part of His miracles.

Some people wonder why we allow him to play soccer since it is so difficult.  The answer is simple – because he wants to.  Any parent with an even slightly disabled child could wallow in pity continuing to ask the questions of “Why?” or “What if…?”  That accomplishes nothing and is like sitting in a rocking chair:  it gives you something to do but it won’t get you anywhere.  You have to trust God and move on.

Our son’s successes, though they may be small, are so sweet for our entire family because they are not easily achieved.  It’s been aptly said that “Things achieved too easily are esteemed too lightly.”   I know there are parents whose children face these or other challenges everyday and it’s my hope this will encourage them.  I am very thankful for the Upward Sports program because it provides a safe, non-competitive way for all children, regardless of their level of talent or ability to learn not only how to be good at a sport, but how to be a good sport as well.