Sports have a method of bringing individuals collectively in essentially the most distinctive methods. The dad and mom of 1 household have constructed long-lasting relationships, and their son has gotten to be part of an unbelievable expertise thanks to a nationwide group.
John and Kristen Enright will let you know that their son, Andrew, is like your typical 18-year-old child.
“He’s fully functioning cognitively, very smart, very manipulative. He would be just about anybody in charades. And I think that’s one of the advantages of not being able to talk very clearly. And, you know, he’s not able to walk, but he sure gets around pretty well in his wheelchair,” mentioned John Enright, Andrew’s dad.
Andrew was born with cerebral palsy. But thanks to Team IMPACT, a nationwide nonprofit group that matches kids with critical medical circumstances and disabilities with a school sports team, he was in a position to be a part of Syracuse University’s soccer team.
“It’s been a great opportunity for Andrew. I think the players have enjoyed it too. We as a family have enjoyed it. It’s just a nice experience,” mentioned Kristen Enright, Andrew’s mother.
The two-year program is designed for kids like Andrew to be part of a team by attending practices, video games and team occasions.
“Andrew’s family really went out of their way. They invited some of these guys to their home. I saw pictures of them at Andrew’s 16th birthday party, eating cake together. I know that Andrew’s dad, who is in the financial field, has been really helpful to some of these guys, giving them advice as they go out into the world now,” mentioned Rebecca Carr, the senior case supervisor for Team IMPACT.
She mentioned most of the gamers preserve relationships with the kids.
In truth, NFL gamers Garrett Williams and Justin Barron have been former SU soccer gamers who labored with Andrew. They at the moment are utilizing the favored NFL marketing campaign My Cause My Cleats to spotlight the group.
“So when we spoke to Garrett Williams, he said that he wanted to do the cleats for Team Impact because it had such an impact on him when he was at Syracuse. He liked being a participant with the Team IMPACT player,” mentioned Kristen Enright.
Barron, who performs for the Cowboys, went with a design very private to Andrew.
“Justin Barron and Garrett Williams are putting Team Impact, and Andrew’s artwork on their cleats is a huge deal, not just for Andrew and for our family, but for Team Impact and to help get the word out,” mentioned John Enright.