runnn Adam... ruuuuuuuuuuunnn

haha!  clever ad, huh? and considering the state of things around here... quite a double entendre!

But, actually, I DID go to my first hockey game tonight (and yes, they were in their full garb-- unfortunately) ;) and it was in a place I had never been to before in Connecticut (always Connecticut!!!) but in the opposite direction from ourlasthopeinhell, but the same exact distance from our home. It wasn't that easy to get to and I felt extremely out of place there... Anyway, Adam was singing with a small group of students at half time and so I got a ticket and found him (or he found me) meandering around-- trying to figure out the numbering system-- but I'm sure I looked like an escapee from Bellevue psych ward, (but with really GREAT hair as I had it done today!!!) It was nice though, because Adam doesn't care too much for hockey, so we had a chance to chat and then off they all went to sing America the Beautiful and then we got his stuff (weekend bag and two guitars) and went home.

I did make him a (chocolate) cake to celebrate his impending promotion.(THREE layers!) Then, he told me that he had a small set back yesterday, but I don't think it'll affect his promotion.  His social worker didn't say anything, so I'm sure its not a big deal.

Earlier though, out of the blue though... I received this email... which I will print along with my response.

Hello,

My name is Built Dude and I run the fitness program at Ourlasthopeinhell.  I just wanted to let you know how Adam is doing here.  Adam is a great kid, and every time he is at fitness with me he makes me laugh.  He always has a funny joke or comment to tell me.  Adam has been very motivated working out - he wants to get a "six pack" abs.  He works hard on the exercise bike, does dumbbell curls and lots of crunches. 
We had a really nice day here at Ourlasthope today, so after lunch, I took a group of students to play soccer.   The group consisted of around 20 students and Adam was one of the top players.  He made a bunch of saves when he was goalie and was running up and down the field when he was center.  Everyone had fun and they all played great as a team.
Hope you enjoy your weekend!

Built Dude

*************

Hi Built Dude,

Thank you so much for that. I can't even begin to tell you how much it means to us... Adam never played soccer (that I know of). When he was in elementary school, he wasn't cognitively aware enough to do the mainstream team in our district... and then he did special recreation for a while, but by the time he turned nine, deemed the other kids to be too "retarded".  Two years earlier, the special rec was involved with a local special olympics event which Adam had trained for and participated in, but then at the meet, Adam completely freaked out (understatement) when they used the starter pistol. Every time he heard it go off, he went into a state of catatonia and was getting more and more distressed and couldn't go on. I went straight over to the official and asked as nicely as I could, if they could just say... "on your mark, get set..." but, noooooooooo... hmmmm... 

"I thought this was the "special olympics"??? and since this division is for autistic spectrum kids, MOST of who have acute sensory issues, can't we just not use it?" Blank stare from the official. "sorry m'am... we HAVE to use the starter pistol and we only do NOT use it for the very severely impaired athletes" (pointing to somewhere out of my view).  I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that my child didn't fit in ANYWHERE and not only that, but she had not clue one as to what his disability actually entailed and didn't seem to care either!!!!!!!!! and I didn't get to see Adam run and we had to leave because he was now in convulsive tears. What a horrendous experience! I heard he was really good though... I was so upset. I wrote two letters to the national and local presidents of the special olympics to explain what had happened and to try and understand their reasoning and you know what they said?  nothing. I heard absolutely nothing. losers.

[pathetic, wimped up, fucking losers!!!!!!!!!]

The next year, Adam's coach practiced WITH him using a starter pistol for several weeks (smart lady) and she assured us that it would be okay this time, but still, we held our breath... I thought that I would "help" him along by running along beside him, ya know?  ;)  Adam was so determined to do this too!  But... he still was very disturbed and traumatized by that friggin pistol... so, he was at the starting line and he stood there grimacing... and held his hands as TIGHTLY over his ears as possible, which of course looked very strange, but never mind that. I was all set to run with him, when I heard the gun shot and within one second Adam shot past me like a bullet--- I'm not exaggerating! It was a total Forrest Gump moment! haha!  And he was hundreds of feet ahead of the rest of the pack of about 3 other runners. I finally got to the finish line about 30 seconds AFTER he did. (100 yard dash) -- too funny! geezzz... we have a great photo of him finishing because Sam was wise enough to wait for him at the finish line! I'll have to dig it up because its an amazing photo!

Thank you for your kindness in sharing such wonderful news. It made me cry... (but in a good way)  We're very grateful that Adam is at Ourlasthopeinhell and doing so well and for the 100s of incredible people that he's worked with who've brought him so far...

Best,

 

Lexie

***

This is a true story folks. The "special olympics" SUCKS-- at least if you have autism and sensory issues. Aaron's coach had warned me that they had been trying to fight the "starter pistol" issue for YEARS and she's no push over, but as in my case, NO ONE EVER RESPONDS.

unbelievable.

I copied Sam on all of this and minutes later...

He found what it was that I was looking for and sent it to the fitness instructor (without my having to aks) ;) and copied me on it.  I wouldn't normally post pics of my kids--- but this one, I just have to. Anyway, the pic's 8 years old and he's a young almost fully grown man now, so it isn't really him anymore-- its the essence of him though and one of the most incredible moments of my life, captured so perfectly by Sam--- that I'll treasure---forever. Here, he could be the poster boy of the special olympics... but it had nothing to do with those idiots. It was the patience, kindness AND caring of his incredible coach, Donna, that made this all possible.  She's one of those proverbial unsung heroes... Very few know who they are, or what they do... but they are Angels doing God's work and I will be forever grateful for there have been too many to count.

That's my boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!