At the top of their game
Reprinted with permission of
The Herald Journal
Carolyn Yates guards the goal as her grand daughter Rylie Carpenter, 6, takes aim during TOP Soccer last week. (Meegan M. Reid/Herald Journal)
By Jennifer Christensen
Published:
Sunday, May 18, 2008 4:09 AM CDT
"Top Soccer, we're number one! Top Soccer, we're number one!"
The cheer begins as a whisper, growing louder with each repetition. The excitement is contagious, and the kids are all heart.
"TOP SOCCER," they shout, at the top of their lungs, "WE'RE NUMBER ONE."
Two dozen special needs kids and their families have just wrapped up another week of TOPSoccer at the USA Indoor Soccer Arena in Hyde Park, and now it's time for a treat.
"My main goal is for the kids to have fun," said Program Director Paul Skinner, who brought TOPSoccer to Cache Valley seven years ago. "It looks like we accomplished that today. It's neat to watch these kids grow up. It's neat to see the strides they make and feel like we're making a difference in their lives."
Skinner, who has been involved with the Utah Youth Soccer league for more than 20 years, was inspired to get the TOPSoccer ball rolling locally after watching a television program that touched his heart.
"I saw this show about kids with disabilities who were playing T-ball in Atlanta, and I knew that we could do something like it here with soccer," he said. "As I started doing research, I found a national community outreach program called TOPSoccer, and we started a chapter here. We are one of only two in the state, and our parents have loved it. They never had anything like it before, and after we started doing soccer, they got involved in creating other opportunities for their kids: basketball, bowling, aquatics and baseball. It's really been great."
Newton residents Rheuamah and John Griffin enjoy their family's involvement in all of the TOP sports.
"Quinn loves 'em, every one" Rheuamah said.
Born with Down syndrome, 14-year-old Quinn, has been playing TOPSoccer for five-plus years, along with his 12-year-old sister, Katie.
"We have 10 kids, and these two are our babies," Rheuamah said. "TOPSoccer has been so good for Quinn in particular because it boosts his self-esteem. His physical abilities have increased and, where he's quite shy, it gets him out around people. Also, he can play at his own level. In TOPSoccer, everybody plays and no one's left on the bench. That's what's so special."
Karen Price, whose 12-year-old daughter, Elli, is blind, said the TOP programs give kids an opportunity to associate with people in the community.
"It's so good for them, and for us as parents," Price said. "You get to form relationships that create a sort of informal support system. Also, you realize that even though your children may be different, they can do lots of different things."
As Skinner coaches TOPSoccer each week, he makes it a point to make Price's point. Gathering the kids into a circle, he brings a player in the center and asks, "What can Marcus do?" Marcus throws a ball into the air triumphantly.
"Come on everybody," says Skinner, tossing his own ball high into the air. "Let's do what Marcus can do. Let's do what Conner can do. Let's do what Tia can do."
On behalf of their son, Sam, Dave and Deidre Newman of Logan appreciate Skinner's ongoing efforts to emphasize each child's unique strengths and abilities.
"Sam has Down syndrome, and yet he wants nothing more than to be a normal kid playing soccer," explained Dave. "TOPSoccer lets him do that. He can play at his own pace, and he really looks forward to participating. If we tell him on Monday that we have soccer on Friday, the anticipation can ruin our whole week. When Friday finally arrives, he'll wake up early in the morning, get his soccer stuff on and announce, 'Soccer. Now.'"
Designed to make the sport adaptive for children of all ages with varied disabilities, TOPSoccer gets creative sometimes. Because the program focuses on player development rather than competition, the atmosphere is welcoming, positive and flexible.
"When we're working with kids in wheelchairs, for example," laughed Skinner, "we use bigger balls and Game then tell everyone else to get out of the way. We have participants with autism, Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, vision and hearing impairments, intellectual disabilities, all kinds of things, but no one is excluded. No one gets left out."
Being part of the team is especially important to siblings Bryson and Rylie Carpenter of Smithfield, who cruise around the playing field each week in their motorized wheelchairs, often with a parent, grandparent or cousin in tow. Participation in TOPSoccer has enabled them to build special relationships both with other participants and with Skinner's team of volunteers.
"Bryson, who is nine, and Rylie, who is six, were born with Merosin Deficient Muscular Dystrophy but they don't let it stop them from doing what they want," said Jessica Carpenter, the duo's proud mom. "They are both great kids with big hearts, and they love to feel like they're a part of something special. The kids feel like they are part of a real team, and they call Paul their coach. It's fun to see their excitement, especially at the end of the season when they get their trophies. It's great to have programs like this."
In order to be successful, TOPSoccer relies heavily on volunteers to help administer the program.
