With over 500 participants, their parents, volunteers, and the organizers; it was quite the organized chaos. But the Polar Bear from the plunge was there to comfort all the participants. I do not pretend to understand why seeing pop up canopies causes anxiety but a grown up in a creepy bear suit doesn't. Seriously, I do not get it. But I was grateful the bear was there as it calmed Bambam and took his mind off all the chaos around him. After the opening ceremonies, we went to find his golf group.
As I handed Bambam off to his group leaders I left them with a piece of advise: "When you give him a golf club, stand back. He swings hard and fast." They chuckled with an OK. But I was serious. That child is all about power, he has absolutely no finesse. I watched him walk off with the other four 8 year olds.
Their group started at putting. Bambam has absolutely no use for putting. You can imagine how thrilled he was. But with constant reminders to use small swings, he did pretty good; actually making several puts. But, he was super excited to move on to chipping.
Being the only left handed swinger, Bambam had a station all to himself. The volunteer manning that station put a ball on the mat, handed Bambam a club and asked him if he could hit the ball. Bambam let loose on that ball. He hit a perfect chip shot almost 50 yards. Only problem was that the field was only about 50 yards wide, with another group of kids on the other side hitting our direction. An immediate chorus of Fore!, Wow!, Holy Sh*t! rang out. And a small crowd gathered behind Bambam.
So once again there were lots of reminders to use small swings. Bambam hit several chip shots into the hoola hoops laying on the ground about 10 yards out. But every few hits he would get really excited and just let one go. Each time the chorus would ring out and the crowd would grow. Fathers saying "I wish I had a swing like that" and volunteers congratulating Bambam on a great hit. And Bambam started to shine.
When we moved to the other side for the final station the crowd followed him. I warned the volunteer that this was the kid who was chipping the ball from the other side clear over to this side. She nodded, and said they were using "low flight balls" so it would be fine. After the lesson, she gave him a club and let him hit. The ball flew over the field to the pop up canopy where parents were sitting. It actually bounced off the canopy. I'm not sure what a "low flight ball" is supposed to do, but that ball flew just like a regular ball. After telling him what a great hit that was and giving him 20 points for hitting the canopy, the volunteer told him he had to use a plastic club and tennis balls so no one would get hurt. It didn't slow him down. He continued to hit with his whole being, beaming everytime a tennis ball went flying. It was a great day for him.
Later I was asked why I was willing to drive over 3 hours for Bambam to golf for about two and a half hours. And here's the thing. That kid struggles every day. He struggles at school learning to write his name with fingers that don't cooperate. He struggles to make himself understood when he doesn't have the words. He struggles in the grocery store with lights that are too bright and noises too loud. He struggles every day. So if driving for 3 hours gives him the opportunity to shine for a few hours, to excell at something and be a star; I will absolutely do it. Every kid deserves that opportunity. Every kid should have the chance to feel good about themselves and what they CAN do. Even if its just for a few hours.
