The thrill of victory
Here -- here's what it's all about.
(Note: Time stamps on comments for this post were changed in a server migration.)
Here -- here's what it's all about.
(Note: Time stamps on comments for this post were changed in a server migration.)
Comments (18)
unbelievably wonderful!
Posted by rickynoragg | February 24, 2006 6:00 PM
As a parent of one of those "special" kids--this story touched my very soul. I'm sitting here with tears streaming down my face. What a wonderful, beautiful thing for that boy.
Thank you so much for sharing it. It gives me hope that my child will one day learn the thrill of victory with his passion as well.
Posted by carla | February 24, 2006 6:16 PM
Takes any lingering sarcasm out of 'nice'. Thanks much.
Posted by Mark | February 24, 2006 7:41 PM
That is the absolutely perfect TV news clip. I cried, too.
Posted by Jack Bog | February 24, 2006 8:05 PM
You know, the best part is the reaction of the kids in the stands, and the other players on the team. Look at that. There's hope for humankind yet.
Posted by Jack Bog | February 24, 2006 8:11 PM
Wow. Thanks for posting that. What a great clip.
Posted by Pat | February 24, 2006 8:12 PM
One of the wonderful things about blogging is that people send you links to such greatness. In this case, I got it from David Frazee Johnson, Assistant Director of Foundation and Corporate Support, Reed College. David, I hope you don't mind my mentioning you here, and thanks a million.
Thanks also to my friend Craig Johnston, who first alerted me to the existence of youtube. I worry about sending readers over there, however -- they may get so engrossed that they never come back!
Posted by Jack Bog | February 24, 2006 8:21 PM
To the everlasting credit of the CBS Evening News, it did something tonight they claim they've never done before: They repeated the entire episode from Thursday, again tonight on Friday -- the entire thing. Pretty much everyone on set looked amazed at the prospect of doing so. But, oh, was it ever worth it. [PS: We cried too. Both times.]
Posted by Worldwide Pablo | February 24, 2006 9:09 PM
Thank you Jack. Wonderful story. My wife and I both have cerebral palsy. My wife use to manage the basketball team at Portland Luthuran High years ago. Now we manage a certain 10 year old basketball player.
Posted by Troy W | February 24, 2006 10:23 PM
Thanks for sharing that, Jack.
The crowd in the video give me hope too.
My nephew was recently diagnosed with Asperger's. I wonder what his future will be like -- if he'll have supportive peers, how he'll find his niche, etc.
This was truly a nice story - both inspiring and humbling.
Posted by ellie | February 27, 2006 4:53 PM
Can't cry.... Shot a man. I've got a rep to uphold.
Can't cry!
Posted by Chris Snethen | February 27, 2006 4:53 PM
Admit it, Butterbean.
Posted by Jack Bog | February 27, 2006 4:53 PM
Nice going, Jack.
Posted by Cousin Jim | February 27, 2006 4:54 PM
I happened to catch this, and went upstairs to tell my wife about it. The detail I liked was that the crowd went nuts just when the kid went into the game, before he lit the place up. Very supportive. I also imagined the coach kicking himself later, saying, "I should have played that kid all season."
Posted by Bill McDonald | February 27, 2006 4:55 PM
My wife came out of the shower while I'm still lying here, logged in. She looks at me: "what's the matter?" 'cause obviously I've been crying.
What a strange, wonderful, hopeful way to start the weekend. And, yeah, the best part was how loving and supportive those students could be. Not how we always think of our kids, and those in the news. Thanks, Jack.
Posted by Frank Dufay | February 27, 2006 4:55 PM
I volunteer with Forward Stride, a nonprofit therapeutic horseback riding center. We work with folks from 4 to 95 who have cerebral palsy, autism, MS, cancer, brain injuries, ect. Most are children.
There is nothing I do that gives back more to me than helping these kids find achievement and pride and joy. I work with a physical therapist and it is purely amazing and an honor to be part of her patient's world, to witness how hard they work and the amazing things they accomplish. (Part of the training for this volunteer work is to do all the exercises the kids do, on the back of a moving horse. It's incredibly challenging, even for someone with two good legs and arms...) Humbling.
One child I work with is 4. He has the worlds' biggest and brightest smile. He is beautiful. He can't speak so he uses sign language to talk to JB, the little gray arab horse he rides.
Every summer we have summer camp for Shriner's kids. Working with those kids makes a mother think long and hard.
We'll have a couple of wonderful horses at the Crystal ballroom on October 7. (Yes, you heard me right, horses. Brought up in the freight elevator...) Put on your boots, come to the second annual Cowgirl Ball, dance and eat and help raise money for this amazing organization. And meet Blesi, an Icelandic pony (Blesi means "Blaze"), who has been described as looking like "a velveteen stuffed pony" but is as sweet and real as they make 'em.
And, the kids. Come see what they can do.
Posted by Anne Dufay | February 27, 2006 4:56 PM
Can anyone suggest a cure - the video pauses every few seconds and won't run?
Thanks.
Posted by Cynthia | February 27, 2006 4:56 PM
Yes, yes, yes!
Thank you for posting this. It's wonderful.
Posted by lynnette Fusilier | February 27, 2006 4:57 PM