Re: sports/playing with a g-tube

[Guest guest]

Hi Alison,

Great question. I can't wait to hear the answer.

won't be old enough for organized sports here until Spring 2005

(t ball) and then fall 2005 (soccer).

With Steve working in an athletic department of a college and playing

so many years of sports himself, if no one comes up with anything, we

will invent it.

Judith, Steve, (RSS) and (non RSS) 4 year old twins

[Guest guest]

Alison,

Our son (age 9) never had any problems playing soccer with his Mickey

button. Although he never had a soccer ball smash into his stomach! He plays

in a Special Needs soccer league (VIP Soccer).

- Joe

> Hi!

>

> I was wondering if anyone had advice for playing sports, etc. with a

> g-tube. Jake is only four now, but I often wonder what to do when

> he gets older and get in more organized sports in terms of his

> tube. Have any experienced parents done any type of " protection " of

> the tube. The thought of a soccer ball or the like smashing into

> his stomach scares me.

>

> Any thoughts?

>

> Alison

[Guest guest]

Joe,

I am glad your son hasn't had problems playing soccer with his g-

tube.

We actually got a notice from school yesterday with an invitation to

join a special needs soccer program for children with physical

and/or mental delays. And we thought about signing Jake up.

How do you enjoy the special needs program?

Alison

[Guest guest]

Alison,

Sorry I took so long to reply. We were on spring break.

We love the VIP Soccer program. has done it for 2 years now, and he's

already looking forward to doing it again next year. Most of the kids in the

program have more severe disabilities than , like Down's Syndrome,

some are in wheelchairs, one girl is even blind (we got a special " beeping "

soccer ball so she can hear it when it comes near). Due to his RSS,

has some developmental delays, and unrelated hearing loss, but the main

reason we got him into this program is that he's small and timid for his age,

and we were afraid he would just be run over by all the bigger kids in a regular

soccer league. We also like the non-competitive environment of VIP Soccer;

the focus isn't on winning but on everyone playing and having fun. Everyone

encourages and cheers for everyone else.

is growing well now, and has improved quite a bit in his athletic

abilities,

so we may try him in a regular soccer league in another year or two. But we

would sure miss all the friends we've made at VIP Soccer. My wife Kathie has

even gotten involved on the Board of Directors for the local area.

Over spring break, we went up to Lake Tahoe, and took part in a wonderful

Adaptive Ski program. The first time we went, earlier this winter, he skiied

with a

tether. This time he skiied on his own, and learned how to make turns. He

really

enjoys skiing now, something I never would have imagined him doing a few years

ago. I'm really looking forward to skiing with him (at least until he's a

teenager

and wants to go off snowboarding with his buddies!).

- Joe

> Joe,

>

> I am glad your son hasn't had problems playing soccer with his g-

> tube.

>

> We actually got a notice from school yesterday with an invitation to

> join a special needs soccer program for children with physical

> and/or mental delays. And we thought about signing Jake up.

>

> How do you enjoy the special needs program?

>

> Alison