To the Editor:
Recently, my 12-year-old grandson played in a year-ending basketball game in Chantilly. A boy with an intellectual disability was playing for the opposing team. As might be expected, this young boy did not get many (if any) opportunities to shoot for a basket. However as the game was ending, he somehow got the ball and took a shot. He missed.
Suddenly, the gym got quiet and the players from both teams stood stock-still. Someone tossed the ball back to him. He tried again to make a basket … it hit the rim but alas, missed again. Once more, he was given the ball. He tried another time and in it went!
Everyone cheered, the spectators, the parents, the coaches but mostly the players themselves. The smile on this boy’s face was … well, you can imagine. Boys from both teams rushed up to him congratulating him with many high fives.
This all occurred without any input from adults. How sweet is that? With all of the dreary news of today, it is refreshing to know that so many kids can be amazingly compassionate.
Janet Clement
Springfield