United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Does anyone have a child with OBPI that plays soccer? My son is 7 and has been participating for 3 years in soccer with our city's Park and Rec department and up until today it has been going well...today he had his first fall practice with a new coach...every spring and fall he has had a different coach...anyway, she was having the kids throw the ball to her overhand and as I watched she was just grilling my son on his throw...he is not able to bring the ball directly behind his head and throw over his head...he brings it behind his left ear and throws it then overhand...well, after watching her carry on and make him repeat it continually, I went over to her, introduced myself and told her that he would not be able to accomplish what she was asking due to his Erb's palsy...she then told me that was a problem and he probably cannot participate then...needless to say, I was a little annoyed at her...I told her that this was never an issue before and this is a Park and Rec program, not a scholastic athletic event, of which we paid to have him participate in...then she told me she didn't think it was a problem...but she would check...I waited until my husband arrived from work and I talked to him...he said that they really need to throw over their heads but he did not think that it would be a problem for Joseph to participate because the only time they throw the ball is when it is out of bounds and that another child can do that...he said if it is not thrown in properly then the ball can be given to the other team...he also said when he taped a High School Soccer meet one time they had a kid who was really good at throwing so he always threw it in and that Joseph's disability should not be a factor in the big picture...I felt better and I told him that I would hate to encourage Joseph to continue to play soccer if he never would be able to play as long as he wants to and yet I also did not want him ostracized for not being able to either by a coach...What are some of your views on this?...My son is very athletic and enjoys soccer and it has been hard to find something he can do that he really enjoys...Even when he took his first swimming lessons the teacher gave him a hard time...I finally, duh, learned to tell the teacher's upfront that he has a disability and the goal is for him to be able to swim, not what his form is, and that helped alot...I appreciate any insight...

This coach needs some help. Your husband is correct. Just have a designated throw-in taker. It's as simple as that. Any reasonable coach would be agreeable to that arrangement especially in your son's age group.

Any further comment Brittney?

John P.

Hi,

My daughter played soccer last year and due to her recent surgery cannot play this year - but she loves it!We explained to the coach about her injury and it was never an issue. I personally think the coach was out of line. I would go to the director of the Park & Rec. program and have him/her explain to the coach that your sign has the right to play - even if he plays differently. There are many posistions to play that don't require over the head throwing! I never wanted her to be goalie, but she played awesome defense!

I am sure things will go better! Good luck!

Jody - mom to Alyssa (8) Left OBPI

OOOPSS - I meant your SON has a right to play!

Jody

Both of my OBPI children play soccer; My son was "transient" and my daughter very much permenant.
Emma (9 yrs, ROBPI) has played soccer for 3 years and she, too, throws the ball the way you have described. They did have another child throw in for her last year when the ball went out of bounds. No big deal. I have talked with the coaches and they are all fairly receptive to her injury. However, it does seem to get more competative the older they get. Emma just finished the Rec indoor soccer not long ago and it was actually much easier than the outdoor league soccer, but I suppose it differs in different areas and b/w boys and girls.
Just be sure your child is comfortable and go from there.

Peggy

This is Matthew's first year playing soccer (he's 4.5 years old). The amount of control he has over the ball is amazing - probably from compensating with his legs and feet when playing on the floor at home. He is able to throw the ball with it directly overhead so that's not a problem for him but I spoke with the coach about his arm before the first practice. Since it's not a scholastic event I don't see what the issue is. If the coach feels uncomfortable with the way your son throws the ball someone else can throw it in. I would speak to the head of the Park and Rec program and find out what the rule is and if an exception can be made.

We went through the same thing with swimming. Matthew was being failed because of form. I put the information down on my initial registration form when Matthew was 2 and I thought the form was reviewed before each class. Big mistake there!! I explain his issue to every new instructor he has now. He'll start out swimming using both arms, then when he gets tired he'll just use his left. I said to the instructor that maybe they should bump him ahead since some kids have trouble using two arms and staying afloat - Matthew can do it with one. Once I made that statement things have been different in swimming class.

Cindy

Brittney has played soccer for years. Chip - (her Dad, used to be her coach and that helped when she was younger). Last year she started a competitive team and they had her trying to do the throw ins at times and all coaches and trainers realized on their own that she could not physically do it, so just like John said - there are designated "throw in" players on the team. The team all knows that Brittney does not throw in - but she is definately tough out there - they need her to be ready to get the ball they thrown in. A good coach will look for the child's strengths and weaknesses and every child out there has different capabilities. When Chip coached her team he would not have certain kids throw in because they couldn't do it very well - not just Brittney. Some are fast and some are slow and some can throw in and some get tired very easily.... He now coaches my younger daughter's team and he looks for where they are strong so he can put them in those positions. I hope that your coach begins to understand and finds where your child is best capable. Soccer is an awesom sport. I think on Britt's team there are only a few who do the throw ins, one who does the corner kicks and the rest just play their positions. And Brittney's team mates do not care - they just want her out there where she is strong. We have another tourny this weekend - I hope we win one or at least score!:)
Good luck!!
Christy

Every child has a right to play and the fact that your child cannot throw the ball over his head should not hold any water so to speak. This doesn't make sense....haven't they heard about the Americans Disability Act. This kinda angers me.

I can't do throw-in's because if both arms don't go behind your head it's illegal. My trainer said that was fine. Now during a game my team automatically knows that someone else should throw it in because I can't. My trainer also switched the side of the field I play on because she realized that I am better at pushing people with my non-injured arm, although I can push a little with my injured arm too =)!

Your son should play soccer and I don't think one coach should stop him! Everybody is good at different things. My little sister plays soccer and doesn't throw the ball in, and her arms are fine! Your son will find the position he's good at and it won't matter whether he can throw the ball in or not.

Brittney, 13
LOBPI

One of the first things I thought about too when reading this is -- ADA violation! There are laws in place to protect this very discrimination. I would seriously considering filing a written complaint against the coach. She needs to understand the seriousness of what she said. JMO.

~Tina, bpmom@comcast.net