Joe's
Story
Dear
YMCA,
Thank you very much for the way you conduct the Youth Basketball
League. My twelve year old boys, both with mild cerebral palsy, had no experience
before the first time they played at the YMCA.
When they first began
playing, Joe had such a difficult time getting the ball in the hoop. At the very
end of the 2000 session, all of the players laid back and let Joe take a shot.
He got it in! The parents exploded in applause. Joe said, "This is the best day
of my life. Now, I'm a regular boy."
People at the YMCA were rooting
for him and weren't all-consumed with the score. I was proud of the children playing
for the Y and the leadership that promoted such consideration of their fellow
player.
The boys have steadily improved over the sessions. They feel
more confident and accepted for what they have contributed and how they play.
They like that teamwork is stressed and that scores aren't made all that important.
We like that you provide instruction and friendly competition in an hour so that
it fits into our family life without being stressful. The coaches have given the
encouragement and instruction my boys needed to learn to play and progress.
Now, the boys happily hold their own with the neighborhood kids and continue
to look forward to playing every season at the YMCA. I just wanted to express
my appreciation for providing the opportunity to put smiles on my boys' faces.
Sincerely,
Greg and Kathy Cerimele
