T.O.P.S.

Kiki had never heard of T.O.P.S. She had to Google it to find out what it stood for: The Outreach Program for Soccer. When Hal had stated at the dinner table a few months back that he wanted to try soccer, Kiki fretted. The typical kiddies had been playing soccer since Kindergarten. Hal was 13 and had never played. Kiki mentioned it to Dr. K the psychiatrist who immediately suggested T.O.P.S. Once Kiki had a program name, she stumbled across it in the local newspaper. After some phone calls and juggling of schedules, they landed on the program (one of three in the state within 45 minute drive) and rescheduled hippotherapy in order to try out a Saturday morning session. Kiki and Hal were both a little nervous. Hal insisted he was not, but also shut his eyes and napped for the 40 minute car trip -- his way of calming himself. Nine kids showed up, of varying ages and varying disabilities. There were three kids half Hal's age that were not new to soccer and put Hal through his paces. Kiki was surprised to see he really did know something about soccer and seemed to enjoy it. Kiki introduced herself to the handful of parents sitting on the bleachers who all knew each other and had been bringing their kids to this program for some time and everyone was friendly. It was comforting to sit with parents who asked about your child's disability, how things were with the school district, and the normal stresses of parenting a child who is "different". Kiki was among people who understood.

There was one dad, solo, on the bleachers. He was a really really big guy, quiet, a little bit older than the others, but not by much. He was the dad of a big 15 year old boy with Downs, no verbal skills, a bit clumsy, clapped his hands with excitement when it was his turn to run after the ball. Kiki felt sad for the dad and his son, and reminder herself again that she was lucky Hal was so nondisabled. As the session began to end, the dad walked over to his son and put his arm around his shoulder and rubbed his back. The boy put his arm around his dad and patted him and put his head on his dad's shoulder. Kiki was moved and knew she would never have to worry about Hal the way this dad must worry about his son's future.