Autisticana

a gallery of autistic special/intense interests

Designed with WordPress

Tag: Special Olympics

  • Turning Obstacles into Positive Challenges! Now off to Paris !

    by

    , , , , , , , ,

    When my twin brother Ryan and I were born prematurely both of us were 3 lbs and over two months early. I was diagnosed with moderate Cerebral Palsy (CP) at birth. Which means I have a brain hemorrhage in a very rare spot. My Cerebral Palsy affects my entire right side. When I was 22 years old I was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). POTS means my heart rate goes very high and if I stand up or change positions too fast I pass out and my blood pressure goes very low. My Cerebral Palsy makes my POTS even more challenging. When I was 24 years old I was diagnosed with Epilepsy. Epilepsy (seizures) my Epilepsy spot is right next to my brain hemorrhage. Which makes my Epilepsy even more challenging. On top of me having Cerebral Palsy and Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. I have to carry my emergency seizure medicine and wear my Apple Watch at all times. My medical team at (St. Charles Hospital) is amazing. They go above and beyond for me. I don’t know where I would be with them. At every stage of my life, I learn and accept that my life is harder than typical people’s before all of my diagnoses. But that doesn’t stop me. Even with all of my diagnoses I’m still not letting them hold me back from what I do with my life.

     

    2 Education/Molly: All of my schooling was very challenging but I did it. Thank God that Individualized Education (IEP) was so detailed and grew with me. From Elementary school to College, I had to work twice as hard as my peers because of all of my learning disabilities as well as my diagnoses. Resource room teachers from Elementary school to High school were great at realizing that I was having trouble and trying to find a solution. I would always ask the teacher if I was having trouble or if they could tell me facial expressions. As I entered Junior school and High school the material got because I was in Regents level classes. Which meant more homework and tests. My stress levels increased. But they were almost therapists to me because they would try to find a solution. If that didn’t work they would have a meeting with my teacher. Between myself, my resource room teacher, and my class teacher we would usually find a solution or have extra accommodation for that class. By Senior year my IEP was the size of a textbook with all of my accommodations. Once I entered College for my Bachelor’s Degree I had to find a College that had a great disability program. If they didn’t have that program I wouldn’t succeed. If I had a problem with a teacher, even after I asked the teacher. They would tell the teacher and help to find a solution. I even had a guidance counselor (Leighann) that was my lifeline. I would email her every day, and I would have a weekly meeting with her. If I didn’t have I didn’t her wouldn’t have been successful. When I got my Master’s Degree my College also had a great disability program and my teachers would email me, to see if I was having any problems with the material. From Elementary school to graduating with my Master’s Degree I went to a lot of tutoring and extra help sessions to better understand the material. Since graduating with my Master’s Degree it’s been very difficult for me to find a job with all of my diagnoses. I’m currently trying to get a job with the government in healthcare administration and leadership, that’s what my degrees are. When I was in College I was suicidal from all of the homework, tests, and stress. My therapist told me to bond with my rescue dog, Molly, which helped a ton. Without bonding with her. There’s no doubt in my mind, Coach Steve, Coach Bob, Chloe, Charmaine, Leighann, and my medical team’s minds that I wouldn’t be alive today. During this time I joined Rolling Thunder Special Needs Program Para-Athletics without the head Coaches Steve and Bob, Chloe and Charmaine watched out to see if I was displaying any suicidal signs during practice, road races, and track meets I joined this Track and Field Team help me feel included without any judgment because everyone understands what I was through. They listened to me and did everything I needed to still be alive. Even when Molly passed during the Coronavirus-19 Pandemic, everyone was there for them checking in on me to see if I was okay and not displaying any suicidal signs. Without all of these people and Molly, I would’ve committed suicide. That’s another of the many reasons why I’m so appreciative of these people because they didn’t have but they wanted to.

    3 Obstacles To Challenges /Training For Summer Paralympics Paris 2024/Field Hockey:

    I’ve had many obstacles in my life. My medical team, Physical Therapists, and Occupational Therapists have been there the whole time. They have helped me turn everyday life activities that were insanely hard for me that turned into challenges because It’s very hard for me to use my right limbs, right fingers, and right toes even though I was stubborn and didn’t want to do them. But I had to be able to function in activities of daily life and be a successful functional person in society. I had to be successful to meet every goal the way they wanted which was “the correct way” or I failed the goal and had to keep working on the goal. I tried to find a shortcut for every goal but it didn’t work whatsoever. Even though all of these goals were hard to meet, I am a successful functional person in society. Thanks to their great work and for handling my stubbornness.

    As for my training for The Summer Paralympic Games in Paris 2024 for Track and Field. My Track and Field Team is (Rolling Thunder Special Needs Program Para-Athletics) which is for disabled athletes, most of my teammates have Autism. The head coaches are Steve and Bob. There have been so many obstacles because of all of my diagnoses. Trying to figure out a way that I could successfully run without falling, passing out, or having a seizure. At every practice, I wear my helmet to help in case of emergency. But I didn’t give up and my coaches and pacers on my team didn’t either. Trying to successfully finish practice has also been an obstacle to my safety. I have to have modified practice, wear my helmet, have extra water breaks, and have to wear cooling towels when it’s hot out in case I have an emergency. Even use Quench Gum and Jelly Belly Sport Beans before and during every practice, road races, and track meet. To help me not have an emergency. All of my coaches and my pacers know my faces when I display those symptoms that I’m about to pass out or have a seizure. Another obstacle that turned into a challenge was running road

    races successfully and not falling, passing out, or having a seizure. When I run road races I have my two pacers (Chloe and Charmaine) with me. One pacer is in front of me watching it to see if there’s a curb, a pothole, or if the road is uneven. My other pacer is next to me. I have to wear my leg brace, water hydration backpack, and helmet. In case anything happens to me. As well, in case I have a seizure they were taught how to give me my emergency seizure medication. That was difficult to solve, especially for my safety. My two pacers are amazing for keeping me safe. Even during the road race, they will not tell me what mile we’re at. They will only look at my Apple Watch which displays my heart rate. They’re constantly looking at my face to see if I’m about to pass out or have a seizure. Because they know my faces when I display those symptoms.

     

    In terms of throwing the Shot Put and Discus that was a challenge trying to figure out how I would hold them and successfully throw them. My coaches and I figured out a way that works for me. As of writing, I’m on the Long Island Track and Field Team and the New York State Track and Field Team which I was surprised about. But it’s all because of my hard work. Of course, all my coaches go the extra mile. But didn’t any of these challenges stop me from quitting the team. I’m indebted to all of my coaches for them not giving up on me. I didn’t stop because it was an obstacle for me. All of these obstacles have helped me compete in track meets, most of them I’m competing against typical athletes.

     

    Specifically, Training for The Summer Paralympic Games in Paris 2024 for Track and Field has been a challenge because I have to put in a ton of more work at practice, during the Road Races, and I have extra workouts that my other teammates don’t have. I have to a Paralympic Standards for the Cerebral Palsy (CP) category to be considered to compete in The Summer Paralympic Games in Paris 2024. Those Paralympic Standards for 100 meters, 200 meters, and Shot Put are very challenging, especially having moderate Cerebral Palsy (CP) because of the modifications I had to figure out and master to try to meet those Paralympic Standards as of this moment I’m writing this am I very close of meeting those Paralympic Standards. Each of my coaches, my pacers, and my personal I’m so thankful for to have them in my life. I’m currently 0.10 seconds off of the CP Paralympic standard for the 100 meters dash. I’m currently 15 seconds off of the CP Paralympic standard for the 200 meters dash. I’m 1.22 meters off of the CP Paralympic standard for the Shot Put. I’m currently 9 meters off the CP Paralympic standard for Discus. Running my last 5K (3.1 miles) road race I got a Personal Record by over 4 minutes.

     

    I also have a personal trainer (Ryan) from (Whit Fit/Oompf Fit-Club) helping to increase my strength on both sides of my body. Helping me enhance my sprinting form. He has done the same thing with my Shot Put and Discus form. Having me practice these skills during every session. These sessions aren’t easy at all. But my favorite exercise is pulling the sled. As I’m writing this, the most weight I pulled on the sled is 315 lbs. My best pulling the sled while sprinting is 220 lbs. As of me writing this. Pulling the sled makes me so happy and my trainer knows it. But it’s super challenging especially since my Cerebral Palsy right side doesn’t work as well as my non-affected side in every exercise. Especially my Cerebral Palsy fingers because it’s hard to hold the grips on all of the machines that I have use special grips that I can hold on to while doing strength exercises. I have no control of my right fingers and my right toes due to my Cerebral Palsy right side while also using machines hard to use. My trainer has to do twice the amount of work trying to modify everything because of my Cerebral Palsy but he’s willing to do it for me to achieve my goals. Which he doesn’t have to do. Again he goes the extra mile which I’m thankful for.

    I also play Field Hockey for (Long Island Field Hockey on their Field Hockey 4 All Team). That’s been an obstacle as well trying to figure out how to hold the Field Hockey stick with only my left arm because I can’t grip the Field Hockey stick with my right arm. Figuring out how to hold the stick, hit the ball, and run at the same time was a challenge to master. I’m grateful to my head coaches (Danielle and Mallory) for helping me to figure out how to play the game safely. I also have to wear my leg brace, my helmet, and a sports sling on my right arm since I can’t hold the stick, during practices and tournaments. I also made the National Disabled Program Field Hockey Team. I was shocked that I made the team. But I didn’t give up and neither did they.

     

     

    Having relationships with everyone that I wrote about in these blogs have been there in the happy times in my life as well the dark times of life. They were all listening to me, and were willing to find a solution, all at the time being so supportive it’s not even funny. I know that no one of the people had to do that but they were happy to do it. I will have a relationship with them. I have no doubt they will do anything for me and that’s why they will have a special part in my heart. There’s no way I’ll ever be able to repay them. I’m so thankful and blessed beyond belief to have all of them in my life and will have a relationship with them for the rest of my life.

     

  • Why Autisticana is so famous in other Countries

    by

    , , , , , ,

    While United States, Canada and the United Kingdom had problems with financial issues and support for the people with disabilities. Countries that have a lot of money to support the system of Disabilities Rights. The Countries that give them successful services like Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Portugal. Japan, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Spain, Denmark.

    The viewership overseas, our goal is to increase viewership around the world to see our genius ideas of our brilliant minds which we want to expand viewership around the globe outside of the United States which it’s based on Long Island. During our first 2 years we had top 10 viewership from the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, China, Ecuador, India, South Africa, Germany, Pakinstain

    I think in some countries that get resources and most international cities are very friendly that they can use transportation from anywhere since they most don’t drive a car like most of Europe has a great resource of walking places and town centre’s because it was the oldest landmarks of buildings in the world where everything is close which sadly most of the western countries had some access.

    The resources have extended media attention in recent years Since DLA is a non-diagnosis specific benefit, having an autism diagnosis does not guarantee eligibility; however, many kids on the autism spectrum do. Additionally, there is no means testing involved, so your income and savings are not taken into consideration.

    Some countries has great Support services while others doesn’t have the best system because it depends of the government and legislatives of each country.

    International lifestyles

    The changes of Disability rights

    • The GWS Giants Never Surrender Their Spot in the AFL Finals
      The GWS Giants had a chance to advance to the AFL Finals Series, which is known as their version of the playoffs. While Round 24 of the 2023 Season served as the regular season finale. With so many other teams vying for the same postseason spots, the Giants had to work extremely hard to perform … Read more
    • Autisticana Update Log II
      I’m aware that many tell me to share my emotions and open up. However, it’s not as easy. Opening up also means sharing and telling it how it is. The problem with my method, in keeping things silent and not speaking about it, makes things messy for me. Feelings matter… unfortunately, that’s something even I … Read more
    • Meet The Robinsons: Watching one of Disney’s Most Underappreciated Animated Films 16 Years Later
      Warning: Spoilers Ahead! In 2007, several years before beginning its new renaissance of renowned films like Frozen & Zootopia, Walt Disney Animated Studios released Meet The Robinsons, an animated film based on the classic children’s book A Day with Wilbur Robinson by William Joyce. It follows orphan and aspiring inventor Lewis who is struggling to … Read more
    • Our Field Trip to Fire Island
      The whole Autisticana crew went on excursion to Fire Island. Originally we planned on going to Ocean Beach but missed the ferry so we went to Kismet. Some of us almost missed the boat because we got on the wrong ferry terminal boat but the correct time. The crew on the ferry was nice enough … Read more
    • The Matildas vs The Lionesses:
      Both Matildas vs Lions had played their most competitive performance.This has been the biggest sporting event so far in Australia History while Australia plays against England. The Matildas were determined to get their first World Cup Finalists as the host since the USA did back in 1999. Tony Gustavsson was hoping if Australia could get … Read more

  • Champions Movie about the Special Olympics Athletes

    by

    , , , ,

    This movie is about a basketball coach Marcus Marakovich who was the assistant coach for the Iowa Stallions but got fired after he lost his cool which he had to do community service for driving while intoxicated. He community service was to help people with intellectual disabilities but he was thrilled of the idea but slowly got used to them. He wanted to help the team played basketball but he was started to get the hang of the team from the Friends which the Special Olympics Basketball Team which it used remind of my days when i used to play challenger basketball in the high school team.

    This is the first time that the movie is based on actual people with intellectual disabilities.

    Marcus Marakovich, a hot-tempered but capable assistant coach with an Iowa minor league basketball team, loses his cool during a game and shoves the head coach, Phil. He gets intoxicated at a nearby pub after leaving the stadium, and when driving home, he collides with a police cruiser, landing him in jail. Phil bails him out the next day. He gets into a fight with Phil, feeling that he was correct and that if Phil had listened, none of the events of the previous night would have occurred. Phil explains why he didn’t listen to Marcus and tells him that he needs to get to know the players as people, not just athletes, and that their personal life affect their performance. Then he informs Marcus that the owners have fired him.

    As Marcus arrives in court for his hearing, the judge gives him the option of either 18 months in jail or 90 days of community service with The Friends, a local community center’s intellectually challenged basketball team. He decides to volunteer and quickly understands that coaching this squad will be a personal and professional struggle. At the end of the first practice, he accepts a ride home with Johnny, one of the players, only to discover that the driver is Alex, Johnny’s sister and a past Tinder one night fling. While he learns how to coach the new squad, he and Alex begin a casual sexual relationship. As Marcus shows up for his hearing, the judge offers him the option of 90 days of community service playing basketball with The Friends, a local community center’s team of mentally challenged people. He decides to perform community service but quickly learns that leading this squad will be difficult for him personally and professionally. During the first session, he agrees to take Johnny, one of the players, on a trip home, only to discover that the driver is Alex, a past Tinder one-night fling and Johnny’s sister. While he learns how to manage the new squad, he and Alex have a casual sexual relationship.

    As the squad progresses and Marcus gets to know the players more, he quickly learns that they are more than simply their technical abilities. Consentino, a previously injured player, is brought back into the rotation when one of the squad members, Darius, refuses to play for Marcus. Marcus meets Consentino while they are traveling to an away game. As the team “disrupts” the other passengers and gets ejected from the bus, Johnny contacts his sister to come pick them up in her Shakespeare vacation RV. Thankfully, Marcus and the others can persuade her to drive them to away games. Johnny develops feelings for Marcus and asks him to dinner, where Marcus shares Johnny’s news of going into a group home with some of The Friends. Marcus leaves the house as Alex grows protective and instructs him to keep out of family business, but Alex confronts him in the yard. Marcus understands that Alex uses her daily routine of caring for Johnny as a reason to break up with previous lovers before Johnny becomes connected to them. Alex then informs Marcus that they are no longer together. Johnny feels enraged with Marcus for inflicting harm on his sister and lying to him and refuses to participate, but during halftime of a game, Consentino informs him that he isn’t playing for coach, but for himself. Consentino tells him that he isn’t playing for coach, but for the rest of the squad, and that he needs to get over it. Luckily the won the match after Cosentino’s wisdom words to help the team for a wake up call to turn the team around.

    Marcus has requested Sonny, an assistant coach from his old squad, to help him get a new job but Sonny’s uncle, an NBA GM, has turned him down. Sonny tries to befriend Marcus for a time, but eventually finds that Marcus was only being cordial to him in order to gain a position with the NBA. Sonny accepts to Marcus’ request for assistance in guiding The Friends once the latter recognizes how deceptive he has been. Benny, one of the participants who works at a nearby restaurant, has been unable to participate in games since his supervisor will not allow him to change his schedule. As the squad advances to the semi-finals, he tells his supervisor that he should be allowed to change his schedule to play with the team and is dismissed; nonetheless, he is now able to play and is a critical scorer.

    Marcus and Phil happen to meet in a restaurant, and Phil informs Marcus that Darius, the player who refuses to play for Marcus, had a promising career before being involved in a tragic automobile accident and suffering brain damage. Marcus realizes it was a drunk driver that caused the accident. When Marcus discovers it was a drunk driver who struck Darius, he visits him at home to apologize and say he would never drive while intoxicated again but also to let him know he understands why Darius won’t sign with him. Darius chooses to start with Marcus and accepts to travel to Winnipeg for the Special Olympics finals after recognizing he must be able to forgive the lady who hit him. Marcus learns that the NBA club in Seattle has recruited him as a third assistant, but Alex informs him that it appears they are using his upbeat news as a cover for their ongoing scandal. The Friends are unable to express happiness when he informs them he is relocating to Seattle since they know it would separate them from him, and Johnny loses his temper with him once more as a result. Marcus comes up with a plan with Alex to blackmail the proprietor of the restaurant where Benny works after learning from Julio, the community center manager, that the city and state lack the funds to send the players to Canada. As a result, they are able to attend the finals. The size intimidates the Friends.

    When the Friends are down during halftime, Marcus brings up all the circumstances that they’ve overcome and refers to them as Champions. This is because the Friends are scared by the size and reputation of the opposing team, The Beasts, and it shows in their playing. As Johnny gets back to the court, he goes up the stairs and tells Alex that he’s moving in with his teammates to have his “Champion” moment.

    Marcus tries to build up a play so that Darius would make the winning basket as the Friends rally in the second half and are just one point away from victory. The other team will be all over Darius since they know he is the best player, according to his assistant coach, who advises against it. Marcus starts.

    The Friends are scared by the size and name of the rival team, The Beasts, and it shows in their performance, but when they are down during halftime, Marcus recalls all the difficulties they’ve overcome and proclaims them Champions. After Johnny returns to the court, he goes up the stairs to have his “Champion” moment by informing Alex that he is moving in with his pals.

    The Friends comeback in the second half and are within one point of victory, so Marcus attempts to build up a play in which Darius will make the last shot. His assistant coach believes it is a horrible idea since the other team knows Darius is the greatest player and will be all over him.

    Marcus starts to correct him like Phil did, but he stops himself, admits the assistant is correct, and sets up a pick-and-roll play with Johnny. The play is successful, and Johnny is ready to score when another player, Showtime, cries that he is open. Johnny tosses the ball to Showtime, but Showtime immediately executes his signature reverse shot. The squad erupts in jubilation when he misses the hoop but strikes the rim despite never having done it before. Regrettably, the team loses, but because to Marcus’s motivational speech, they continue to think of themselves as champions. After the basketball tournament , the whole team went to the pool with a waterslide to enjoy themselves of paradise and brought some good laughs.

    Marcus chooses not to accept the Seattle position after recognizing Alex was correct, and on the advice of the coach of the NBA “J-league “, the Iowa Stallions (the one he pushed), he is given a local coaching position at Drake University. Marcus and Alex start dating, his old assistant takes over The Friends’ coaching duties, and Johnny moves in with his pals at the group home.

    During the credits scene, the whole crew had the basketball community dance party to celebrate their amazing achievements at the Recreation Center.

  • All Starz Tournament in Pennsylvania

    by

    , , , , ,

    On the 5th of March, 2023 the whole Long Island Field Hockey Team went to the Spooky Nook Sports in Mannheim, Pennsylvania. It was the same weekend as the Girls Under 16 Tournament. The All Starz Field Hockey Tournament is based on athletes with intelligential disabilities. There’s also other teams like the Pennsylvania Revolution, Able Field Hockey of Westchester. Our goal is to establish more teams to develop field hockey teams around the nation so we can play with them in future tournaments.

    The whole Autisticana Crew

    During the Tournament the Long Island Field Hockey Team and the Pennsylvania Revolution had 2 sets of teams because of the large capacity of players which split into 2 teams of themselves like the Long Field Hockey Team last year in Orlando and the Able Field Hockey Team of Westchester. We played against the Pennsylvania Revolution in White and did played strong. I scored the last goal to tie it up with only 5 seconds left of the first round. We next played against the Pennsylvania Revolution in Black. I had 3 incredible runs with only shots on goals with close calls. Steven made a wow long stretch goal with only 10 seconds and drew the same results 2-2. Finally we played with Able Field Hockey of Westchester and showed them how to play field hockey and give them extra chances to get goals because we wanted to show the little ones how to play like all stars of the future.

  • Special Olympics Tournament in Glens Falls

    by

    , , , , , , , ,

    During the beginning of our Journey the Lions started off by going to the Queensbury Hotel and we had the opening ceremony. We hosted the banner that presents Long Island Division and wore it in green. Before we opened the Special Olympic Games we had guests from athletes, new members that are willing to promote marketing to this league, volunteers who grew up loving the Special Olympics, Glens Fall Mayor Bill Collins and Stacey Hengsterman CEO & President of the New York Special Olympics made a beautiful speech. Finally, the State Troopers walked with the athlete who light the torch to let the games begin. The Local News came to downtown Glens Falls to watch the ceremony of the event. There was over 1,300 athletes Statewide to participate in the Fall Games.

    Stacey Hengsterman CEO & President of the New York Special Olympics made a speech about local businesses helping them fundraise for the Special Olympics

    During the Big of the Tournament we played at Morse Field Complex we had over 16 teams Statewide for the Soccer Tournament. After the practice round, each team will be placed in 3 Divisions of those 4 Teams. We placed against the Ithaca Dragons and lost 2-0 but we played against New York City Hawks and lost 1-0. When the Lions was ready for the Big Tournament, we went to 3rd Division with Southampton Mariners, Buffalo Storms and Friends United of Buffalo. It was Long Island vs Buffalo in the bottom division, so we played against the Southampton Mariners both teams played competitive performance but Southampton took the lead but I assist it to Phil and got the one goal which we lost 3-1. During the losers tournament, the Lions was determined to get Bronze against the Buffalo Stormers. The match was started off scoreless until almost halfway done with the 2nd Half but I made long kicks multiple time but the one moment when the Lions got a goal was when I passed it to Damien to Phil and took the lead. The Stormers had other plans to score one minute later and both ended up at Extratime. All of us had tired legs because the match would not end until someone wins the match or shootouts which make a difficult decision. Both Teams played 5 minutes each half and I was finally increasing my moments to get shots on goals. During the last few minutes of extra time, John passed the ball to me and we finally got the goal to take the winning moment. I took the ball all the way and did some cool moves to go around and got the winning goal and we won 3-1. The Long Island Lions was able to take Bronze. During the Winners/Finals Tournament, it was Southampton South Fork vs Friends United of Buffalo. Southampton did everything they could but end up took silver so Friends United of Buffalo took gold and won 3rd Division of the Tournament.

    During the Closing Ceremony, we all watched the closing moments with my teammates. We watch the moment when one of the athletes use the torch to turn off the lighting torch and it was to put it on a closing note. At the end, everyone danced with their friends while having their final moments and the DJ played the greatest songs from the 80s to now.

    Here’s the numbers and links for more Special Olympics from around the Highlights of the Glen Fall Games

    Long Island Lions
    Southampton Mariners
    Friends United of Buffalo

    Numbers and Links about the Special Olympics

  • Special Olympics Tournament in Orlando

    by

    , , , , , , ,

    The Long Island Field Hockey 4 All Team went for a weekend trip to Orlando for ESPN+ Hockey. This is the first time that Special Olympic Games are hosted for the Florida Event. It was at the ESPN World of Sports Complex which it’s a Sports Park for Special Events. Most Tournaments are focused on Nationwide Teams for different Sports for Youth Teams. Over 200 Teams around the Country and thousands of people participated to play as athletes. Even the parents and fans decided to show up to the Sunshine Show Case Tournament of 2022.

    There’s so many sports fields in the park which is the ESPN World Sports of Complex and it has like 31 sports fields. Like Soccer Fields, Baseball Fields and so much more.

    The main Tournament was Long Island Field Hockey we got in before 9AM we wore special uniforms and we huddle as a team and were the first Long Island Field Hockey Team to join the Special Olympics Field Hockey Team joined the tournament and 1st annual Olympics tournament. It was also the first time that the special Olympics Field Hockey Team that was hosted because we wanted to show the world that Field Hockey is not just girls Field Hockey but it’s also for people with Development Disabilities.

    The Long Island Field Hockey went to the tournament but we end up two teams for ourselves. It was The All Stars in White and the Long Island Field Hockey in Gray. The Girls Team came to help us out and play like we’re having fun. One day the Sport would become a popular sport for the team when it reaches 2028 for the Summer Olympics and the Paralympics.

    We get to also be famous from ESPN which the players ourselves get to be interviewed by USA Field Hockey and Long Island Field Hockey

    During the bracket of the tournament was The Long Island Field Hockey Team but since the other teams never showed up we decided to make up two teams on our own. The Long Island Field Hockey Girls Team happily came to help and they volunteer with us. It was the Gray Team and White Team. Half of the group went to the Gray Team and the other half went to the White Team. The Long Island Field Hockey Team was the Gray Team and the All Stars were the White Team. All of them each got a volunteer to partner up to help our teams to achieve what they can achieve something. Originally I thought that we would have 200 Teams around the nation with disabilities but it was only 200 teams for the Girls Field Hockey Team, so we created 2 Teams and the team in Gray is the Long Island Field Hockey Team which is me, Michelle, Rebecca and Paul. The White Team is the All Stars which the team has Anthony, Elouise, Gia and Adriana

    During the Match, there’s 10 Minutes in 2 half’s of the match. During the first half of the match, I was already got a head start but it was just short not too far from the goal. Then my teammate Michelle scored the first goal and took the lead 1-0. Not for long, Elouise got the first goal for the All Stars which it tied at 1-1. Then the teams did a lot of defensive moves time to time. Paul on the LI Field Hockey did a lot of help with the defence to not let the All Stars take the lead. During the 5 minute warning, I ran into the other side and waited for the goal and Michelle passed the ball to me and I scored the goal to help LI Field Hockey 2-1. Then the All Stars went to take immediate action and scored then second goal to tie it up 2-2. Before Halftime I ran the ball and I was going to score again but they goalie blocked my shot and the defense took the ball from me so I went back to center field and passed it to Rebecca and give it to Michelle and she got herself the 2nd goal which give LIFH to get back the lead 3-2 and it was halftime. Everyone had a water break and then each team huddle up to work on teamwork and continue to have fun while making history.

    During the 2nd half of the match, the Long Island field hockey was leading the All Starz 3-2. It was neck to neck for the first few minutes until Michelle got the goal to take the early lead with my quick thinking pass before I got out of bounds and helped the LI Field Hockey Team continued to take the lead 4-2. Then I scored before I put myself in an offside position which I got lucky to allow myself to get that goal when the ball rolled to me and scored. In the meantime, Paul and i did a phenomenal job with the defense and not let the All Stars scored like 5 times. The Defense on the LI Field Hockey was outstanding during the tournament so hopefully we can get ourselves promoted for the 2028 Paralympics. Before the match was done, the LI Field Hockey Team scored 2 more goals which it was credited by the whole team with outstanding creativity of teamwork. Once the Tournament was about to draw to a close, Elouise helped the All Stars got one more goal even though they tried their best to get the goals from the great defense. She got the buzzer beater goal and happily got the All Stars 7-3 but the Long Island Field Hockey won the Tournament which it was a fun tournament. We won 7-3 against the All Starz which it was a fun game to remember while making History for the Special Olympics.

    The winner of the tournament was The Long Island Field Hockey Team but it was about a fun tournament which hopefully one day more teams around the USA to increase Special Olympics Field Hockey. I like to remember the score just i can focus on track with the results especially in every Special Olympics Tournament.

    Afterwards we took a group picture with girls team who helped us and the team itself. Then I was interviewed by 2 people like Sally from USA Field Hockey and Valeri from Long Island Field Hockey. I talked about that I wanted to explain about Field Hockey which its popular from Europe, Australia and India but Wanted to expand the sport to the United States. It would be interesting if the Special Olympics was a reality besides the Girls Field Hockey. One day this sport will be huge for the 2028 Summer Olympics and the Paralympics. I can grow as a player for myself especially my teammates.

    The Long Island Field Hockey Group Picture

    The All Stars at the Globe

    Websites for the Special Olympics