Tonight was Timothy's first night of Wilson football camp. I am not sure who was more nervous - me or Timothy! I dropped him off and got him checked in. I decided not to stay because I didn't want him to think he could run to me if he got hot, hurt, or tired.
He has been so worried that he'll be last when he runs or does anything. That was one reason he was ridiculed so much in school -- because he was always last. I told him that he may be last, but it was okay because linemen didn't have to be the fastest ones. It was like a light bulb moment for him. He suddenly wasn't worried about being last anymore.
When I got there to pick him up, he was playing flag football. He looked like he was having a great time. After he was dismissed, he *ran* to me with a big smile on his face. He loved it! He is ready to go back tomorrow night!!
Timothy is 12 years old and autistic. His journey began in 2013 when he attended the Philadelphia Eagles Huddle Up for Autism event. He became an Eagles fan for life. Just a few weeks later, he was assigned a new behavioral specialist who is also a football coach. He thought it would be a good experience for Timothy to play football. We spent months preparing him to be a part of the football team, and he is surpassing all of our expectations with his hard work, persistence, and dedication.
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