Proud Dad Moment

 I don’t normally use this platform to post personal events.  However, yesterday was a proud dad moment that I would like to share.

My son, Giovanni, soccer team banquet was last night, and he received this character award from his coaches.  Why am I posting about this? 

At 2 years old, Giovanni was diagnosed with PDD or Pervasive Developmental Disorder. This disorder falls under the autism umbrella. His mother and I were devastated to receive this news.  It was a blessing in disguise.  

Anyone who knows about this disorder, has learned the art of redirection. To refocus the child when they are distracted, or laser focused on repeating things / habits.  We were very fortunate to get him into an early prevention program at the school district. Giovanni has been main streamed in his classes since kindergarten. To our amazement, in the 6^th grade his neural developmental specialist told us that she didn’t see the need to classify him any further… to quote her “he is as normal as he should be”.  I cannot begin to tell you the amount of emotion I had that day; to know that he “beat the odds”. 

Giovanni loves sports and as a graduating high school senior this year, wants to attend college to study sports management (his goal is to be an agent or work in the front office of a team).  He has played both baseball and soccer growing up.  His coaches from a REC soccer team suggested that he continue playing soccer as a goalkeeper. During his junior year he was cut from the high school team after playing the first two years (both he and I were upset about this).  His coaches explained that he could try out his senior year to get back on the team if he desired.  

Last summer with the help of his friends, he started going to the gym and playing keeper in any game / practice he could.  He lost about 30 pounds (he’s 6 foot tall and 205lbs now. BTW Dad is not 6 foot tall as most of you know from meeting me…LOL).  He was devoted to making the team.  He never missed a practice …even when it was 100 degrees out.

After the tryouts, the varsity coach was going to cut him.  Giovanni spoke up and said that he just wants to be part of the team and to help where he can.  The coach commended him for speaking up and gave him a spot on the team. While Giovanni did not get a lot of time to play, he didn’t GIVE UP.  Oh, there was attitude when he got home and some yelling after some games…but he NEVER GAVE UP!

The coach decided to play him in the second half of their 3^rd game of the season.  And in the coach’s words “ I was wrong about Giovanni”.  Giovanni made some critical saves to keep his team ahead and win that game.

The coach was carrying three keepers on the team, so in fairness to the other two keepers; he decided to rotate Giovanni into a few games. Giovanni NEVER GAVE UP. Giovanni also got time in the playoff games and in the first round of the state tournament. 

He is my reminder to “NEVER GIVE UP or TO GIVE IN”.  There have been times in my career that I wanted to give up or give in.  And while my inspiration to go on, was to provide a better life for him (his mom and I are divorced); I didn’t need to look far to see why I had to keep going. 

It was great to see him be proud of his accomplishments and to hear the speech that his coach gave (including the coach saying that he was wrong about Giovanni’s abilities).  

At some point, we all need to step back and to think about how we can move forward through the obstacles of life. And one day I hope that my son can have his proud dad moment and think about what he has accomplished with his son / daughter.

Thank you to my Linked In family for reading this!

Happy New Year to all.