A Weird Observation

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  Last year, I had the wonderful experience of attending a high school basketball game for a group of special needs students. I work on a bus full of them, and they were begging me to come. I went to at least five of them.

  One of my riders, Jack, is a slower student with a limited vocabulary. His family was nice enough, but as the basketball game reached halftime, I had a feeling that I wasn't welcomed to join them or be around them. The parents especially came across as cold and intensely focused on the game in a judgmental way. I wondered why they were so invested until I recalled Jack's older brother was on the varsity basketball team for the same high school. 

  Once halftime came around, I said goodbye to Jack's family and found John's family. John -compared to Jack- functions like any other high school kid with an exception of his ability to quickly process words and thoughts. This doesn't affect him much as he plays. I found his family cheering the whole team as I approached. As soon as the mom saw me, she motioned me to come over and sit with them. The whole family said hello to me. John's mom offered me some snacks but I declined. Everyone in John's family were so warm and delightful that the rest of the game flew by. I went home feeling curious about my experience. 

  This isn't a judgment on either Jack or John's families. It is just an observation and a reminder of just how different families can be, even with children that have special needs. I just hope I can remember this in the future when I ride on the bus again.

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