Sunday, April 17, 2011

Kind words...



Sometimes I am just surprised by things people say. Typically I am surprised by the ignorant things people say....but today it's the kind things.


I have been planning on signing Ella up for t-ball with the girls softball league here. It's not a league that's just for kids with special needs (we have one but the kids have to be 5) it's just a league. My thinking behind this was that quite frankly all 4 year olds suck at t-ball. Okay maybe suck is a strong word, I just mean that none of them seem to have the attention span to stand in the field, none of them can really throw the ball where they aim, a lot of them run the wrong way to the bases etc. So, I figure, Ella can join in with relatively no problems! I went out and bought Ella a little glittery pink and purple glove and a pink bat in anticipation.


I go to fill out the registration online the other day and it says for girls 5-6. Ella doesn't turn 5 until August 30th, after the June/July season. I was seriously bummed.


When I was a young girl softball was my life, I even made Allstars in T-ball : ) But really, I lived for softball. I got to play on the Varsity team in high school as a Freshman but blew out my knee before the sophomore season. It took 5 surgeries to fix my knee, the last one being the week after I graduated high school, so needless to say that ended my softball career. I did attempt to play softball 2 summers ago only to figure out that I was no where near as good as I once had been and my body was also no where near what it had been and I broke my leg playing : ) Anyhow, when I had the ultrasound with Ella that ruled out Down syndrome (yes that's right RULED OUT Down syndrome, ha!) they informed me that my baby was a girl. Among the many many dreams I had for my daughter one was that she would become a softball star!


When I found out that Ella had Down syndrome after she was born softball just seemed to be another door that closed. Fastforward 4 1/2 years and I realize that she will not be the star of the team (not in the best player sense, but she will be a star all of her own I am sure,) but I think that she will really enjoy playing, and I know that I will REALLY enjoy watching her play!


So, back to registration. 5 and 6 years old. Dang! I decided to send the league a quick email just saying that my daughter will not be 5 until the end of the summer, any chance you will let her play? They write back "We would love to have her play." Awesome!!! But then I get worried, they gave me special permission for my 4 year old to play and I failed to mention that she is really really small, a little weaker, doesn't talk as well, and will need some assistance staying on task. So I write back "So, I suppose I should have put this in there too...my daughter has Down syndrome. I will be at every practice and game to assist. Still okay?" I'm not sure what I was expecting to get in response...either an email saying "as long as you are there with her", or maybe even "given the circumstances maybe she should wait until next year." But instead I get this email today.


" Fantastic. I am sure she will have much to teach all who come to know her. We look forward to a fun season with her."


Seriously??? Totally made me cry. I can't wait for my baby to play t-ball and I am extra excited to play on a league who has this great attitude!!!!


This Wednesday Ella will begin TOPSoccer. She will playing with a couple of her buddies, including her boyfriend Riley : ) I was just looking for a recent pic of these two but I found these cute ones from 2 summers ago. These two are SO cute together and truly are good friends!!

16 comments:

Kristen said...

The words of that email made me smile too. That is awesome! I wish I lived close. I would come to watch a game of Riley and Ella's. The thought of that feels awesome to me.

amyl4 said...

How wonderful! And I know your Ella WILL teach them all about love and the true meaning of friendship!:)

Tami said...

Such cute pics!

That is a sweet not from the softball people! When I signed Claire up for gymnastics I didn't even tell them that she has Down Syndrome because I am so sick of being surprised in a very negative way by people lately. Her first day is this Tuesday, will see how it goes. Makenna did great and the teacher was wonderful, I'm it'll be fine.

Linda said...

That made me cry, Kacey! Awesome! Can't wait to see the pics of her playing with her new team!

Laurie said...

Love this :) Maybe it is because I always have my guard up, ready to respond to anything hurtful, and that is why the kind words have such a surprising impact.

Ella is going to have an awesome t-ball season, as are the rest of her teammates!

Cammie Heflin said...

Made me cry too!

kecia said...

made me cry too! her and RIley are SOO cute!!

Brittany said...

I love to hear people being so kind and accepting, it brings me hope for my own daughters future!

Tiffany said...

I love those kinds of moments. Truly the world is such a beautiful place if you look around! I am with Kristen...I wish I lived close so I could come watch!

Mary said...

We sure have cute kids! I'm excited for soccer. I hope the kids have fun and this isn't just an excercise of chasing for us.

Shannon said...

that email brought tears to my eyes! So amazing. And that picture of Ella hugging Riley? Priceless

Robin said...

Great softball story!!! Sweet pictures! So glad to see you all doing well.

Jennifer said...

Thanks for that post. The coach's comments made me cry a little, too. What a treasure you've found.

Anonymous said...

I ran across your blog randomly this afternoon and this post really struck a cord with me. I just signed my 21-month-old daugther up for regular preschool. When I did, I sent the same "Just so you know..." type email expecting a similar "well, we're not sure about this" response. The school responded back with "excellent. we can't wait to have her join us in the fall." I cried too.

Imani's Mommy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Imani's Mommy said...

Just wanted to stop by and say that I love your Blog and Ella is Absolutely Adorable!I also blog about my daughter Imani @aspecialloveforspecialneeds.com