To start off the new year, Robb joined a basketball team! He was paired up with a local high school team, and he goes to the games and practices and cheers them on. My family was a little unsure about how this would work at first, thinking he might get bored, but Robb has loved every second of it. When we arrive he does his happy dance, and then when we go in he gets very quiet and very still, and he just watches the basketball fly through the air. The practices do not seem like the most exciting things, but Robb refuses to leave until the practice is over, staying the whole game.
On the first day, I am not sure if Robb's teammates really understood what was going on when the coach said he was joining the team, but they have been super great with Robb at every practice. They all come up and say hi to him which always makes Robb laugh, and I think they have really enjoyed having him there to support. He really is great at cheering for them.
I think my favorite part about it is, Robb has not only gotten a winter activity to participate in, so he does not have to sit inside our house all day, but he also has a new group of friends because of a common interest, not common challenges. People forget that he enjoy's hanging out with people with and without special needs, and that his autism and Down Syndrome should not matter in a friendship. I hope Robb's relationship with the team will continue to grow throughout the remainder of the season, and that in 2017 Robb will be able to get more activities he can do in all weather.
