First Time is the Right Time

He's never stepped foot on a hockey rink before.  He straps on his helmet, puts on his gloves, his mother helps with his shinguards, his father tightens down his elbow pads (no skates - this is street hockey) and he nervously steps foot out onto the rink.  Through the boards from the player's bench he steps onto the concrete that is painted to look exactly like real ice.  Across the blue line he walks to the face off circle.  His coaches have told him to get open for a pass of the puck.  The puck finds his stick.  Without thinking he fires a shot at the goalie.  It get's past him!  A GOAL!  His VERY first time playing hockey and his VERY first goal!  Then comes another.  Later even another!  THREE GOALS in his VERY first game!

Is there anything more to say about what a difference this one day made to this remarkable child?  His name is Christopher.  He is a C.A.P.E. athlete.  He has special needs.

There is a one in a billion chance that a child will grow up to play in the major leagues of any sport.  There is a one in one chance that he will grow up to support the game by purchasing a ticket.  Can persons with special needs not purchase a ticket and support the game just as easily as anyone else?  Only if they have had the opportunity as a child to actually play the game.  To fall in love with the game.  To become a fan of the game.

Challenged Athletes Playing Equally (C.A.P.E.) is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in Murfreesboro Tennessee dedicated to providing sports and activities to children (and adults) with special needs.  Organized sports year round in baseball, basketball, bowling, hockey and soccer with the express purpose of increasing social skills, improving self esteem and, yes, falling in love with the game.  For more information about C.A.P.E. check out our website at www.capetn.org or follow us on Facebook.

But Christopher doesn't care about any of that.  He just wants to play hockey............... and now he can!