French Fries are the Real Hero
It’s time to start our Big Cat’s Special Olympics season! First up is bowling. I’m assuming I don’t need to know much about bowling; which turns out to be true. The kids are happy to just hit a pin. Strikes are fun; but they don’t need them. The smiles are abundant. We were doing all our practices at Air Lanes on Fluer. The owner has been great and interacts some with the kids also. He was really patient as we had a few balls not make it all the way down; and we had a few balls hit the cross bar before it was all the way up. What can I say… the kids were eager! 🙂
The first competition is at Bowlerama on SE 14th. The kids are ready. They’re pumped. We debated letting Olivia out of school to watch her sister compete; but in the end… we caved. She came to watch big sis crush some pins. Liv had French Fries and a show. She was set. The kids’ lanes were spread out; so that was a little tough to jump around to each group all day; but Jimmy helped with Payton’s lane. During the National Anthem, one of our guys got to hold the flag out in front while everyone sang. We were all very proud of him; and he did a great job. Once the bowling started, Mom and Dad had to tamp down some competitiveness. Payton got 3rd; but she could have easily gotten 1st if we could have gotten her to calm down a little. She didn’t move on to state; but that’s okay. The pure joy on the kids’ faces is what it’s all about. We did; however, have a few students make state. In a school sponsored sport they’d be considered different and have trouble conforming to the expected social norms but not here. Here they are kings and queens able to just be themselves.
As I type this I remember a couple funny side stories that happened while bowling. As the girls were eating some French Fries, another older girl came over and helped herself to a handful. Her mother was mortified. Neither of our daughters complained. I was so proud of them. The girl’s mother even attempted to reimburse us some fries; but the cool thing about these events like I said, is this is their safe space. These kids get to be themselves here. There isn’t one parent in that bowling alley that cared it something like this happened. Nobody is getting excited over fries.
Another little guy on an opposite team was having trouble. He didn’t like waiting and was getting frustrated. There were tears; and an adult having trouble containing him from eloping. Payton’s Grandpa saw this and offered the little guy some fries. It worked. All he needed was a new focus for his mind. Grandpa saves the day. This is why these events are so awesome. Everyone is experiencing the same issues. Everyone is willing to help everyone. Nobody is judgmental, and some French Fries can make our day.
These events are truly inclusive; and the most pure fun you get to see these kids have in a peer setting. I can’t say enough good things about the Special Olympics. They truly bring people together.
