OSU Basketball Day

Finally a fun day after all the appointments this month.

Noah really enjoys watching the boys shoot around.

Micah Potter took the time to say Hi to Noah and he remembered him from last year. He said all the boys are adjusting to the change in coaching and they are getting ready for a great season that starts in 70 days.

I'm sure you noticed that Bindi wasn't in any of the pictures Scott posted yesterday. We decided to give Bindi the day off. It was actually nice getting a break from her. She does a wonderful job keeping Noah less anxious and she sure does look cute on his lap but she struggles sometimes. She can be skittish and also gives Noah a lap dance when we are going from one thing to the next. This is why I was asking about  a trainer a few weeks ago. I have never really trained a dog before and had actually thought Bindi would come to us fully trained. I've been working with her on my own. She is doing much better then when we first got her but still has some work to do. 

       

   Bindi sure was glad to see Noah when we got home last night, she didn't want  to leave his side.                                                                Noah was happy to see her too.

Ohio State Men's Basketball

Scott, Noah and I were offered tickets to any game we wanted to go to. We chose the game that they played Michigan State. We bought Morgan, Brad and Emily tickets for Christmas.

We started off with pretty good seats but were soon moved to seats on the floor.

Noah was hoping to talk to Trevor Thompson but by the time we got our real seats they were done messing around on the court. Can this goof ball ever smile with his eyes open?

Brutus stopped by for a picture. What a great day we had.

 

Noah got really excited when Ohio State started really pulling away for the win.

When we were leaving one of the security guys said Noah needed to come back since he was the good luck charm.  We told him if they give us seats each time we would be glad to obliged.

  

Thank you Ohio State for a fun filled  family day and a Win!!!

Go Shelby Whippet Basketball

 

I sometimes wonder when people look at Noah in a picture what they think. Take this photo for an example.... What do you see? pain? sadness? maybe even empathy?

I see a boy that is excited, happy, loved and overjoyed to be at his very first Whippet basketball game of the season. Go Shelby let's bring home the NOL this year.

A Day With The Ohio State Buckeyes

Noah and Scott got to have a day with the Ohio State Men's Basketball team.

They both received a bag, shorts and a shirt to wear. Scott was so excited that he can finally fit into a 3x shirt. He says he didn't feel he looked real well in it yet but I thought he looked great. Keep up the great work sweetie. I love you.

Noah with David Bell.

Jae Sean Tate and Marc Loving

Trevor Thompson remembered Noah from last year. He has been following Noah on Instagram. He said that Noah has made a good impact on his life.

Noah and Scott had a great time playing basketball with Jimmy Jent.

Micah Potter saw Noah sitting off by himself and he came over to say hi.

Thanks Micah for taking the time to talk to Noah. It made his day.

 

Noah and Scott had a fun day playing basketball with the Ohio State Buckeyes but the best part of their day is when we were invited to come to a home game of our choice. Noah is so excited to see them play a game for the first time. Thanks A Kid Again for another fun day just being a kid.

Thanks for Everything Shelby Basketball

This post brought to you by Noah's dad!
I've written here before about our enjoyment of Shelby basketball, and how well the basketball program at Shelby High School has taken care of Noah over the years.  I'm happy to say that has continued throughout this year.
Noah was given a home jersey this year, and he wore it to every home game.  Late in the season, Troy Schwemley, Shelby's head coach, told us he wanted to have Noah announced as part of the team on Senior Night.  That was a dream come true for me.  What father wouldn't want to hear his son's name announced during the introductions, and hear the crowd applaud?
Seriously, that was enough for me.  I couldn't stop smiling after that happened.  But then after the season, Troy contacted us and invited Noah to the awards banquet, too.  We were very happy to be able to enjoy the awards banquet with the team and their parents.  What happened during the banquet was quite a surprise, though.
Noah was given a special award from the basketball program.  Talk about your "proud dad" moments.  I never would've thought I'd see the day when Noah was given a basketball award.  Another dream come true for Noah's dear ol' dad. 

Here's Coach Schwemley giving Noah the award.

Here's a close-up of Noah with his award. 

After the banquet, the other award winners asked if Noah could be in the newspaper picture with them.  Who were we to say no?

Noah got his picture taken with a lot of the players that night.  Here he is with Davey Hipp.

Noah with Davey Hipp and Carter Brooks.

Noah with senior Brandon Schneider.

Noah with Brock Kehres. 

Noah with senior Trevor Young.

The four seniors of Shelby basketball, 2016:  Brandon Schneider, Matt Dawson, Trevor Young, and Noah.

Noah's got several friends on the cheerleading squad, too.  Here's fellow senior Allie Uplinger.

Here's Noah with senior cheerleader Arica Friebel.  And below is Coach Troy Schwemley with Noah.
Thank you, Troy, for all you've done for Noah (and us!) the last several years.  You and the players each year have helped make Noah feel like "one of the guys" and that's all Susan and I ever wanted for him. Also, between the coaching staff and the other parents, Susan and I were made to feel very comfortable and included over the course of the season.  That felt great.  We've made some new friends through this experience.  And isn't that what it's all about?  And don't worry... We'll be back next season.  We're Whippet fans through and through, and we can't imagine NOT going to the games.  Go Whippets!

Basketball Senior Night

 When having a special needs child there comes a point that you realize those milestones or things that you look forward to experiencing with your child just aren't going to happen. One of those things is having your son being recognized on senior night for a sport. Noah has spent his high school career sitting on the side line cheering on his typical peers. He loves to get into the line to get his hand slapped by the players. He may sit in silence while he is watching a game but is enjoying every minute of it. This year Coach Schwemley gave Noah a jersey to wear to the games. Noah loved that jersey. I believe he really felt part of the team. There would be times that Noah was unhappy with me when I was interrupting his squiggle time on the floor to put him in his chair. As soon as I would start to put his jersey on to go to the game he would instantly  smile and make his happy noises. He was so proud of that jersey and truly felt part of the team. Thank you Coach Schwemley it has meant so much to Noah and us.
That being said, we got an email from Coach that he wanted to honor Noah on senior night. Our dream as parents was coming to true. What an amazing feeling it was to get that email and realize that the one thing that we thought wasn't going to happen was coming true. We couldn't have been more excited.

We were asked to prepare a senior profile to be read after they introduced Noah.

Favorite Restaurant: Taco Bell

Favorite Food: Cotton Candy

Favorite Movie: Hoosiers

Favorite Flavor of Ice Cream: Root Beer Float

Favorite Athlete: Corey Kluber

Most Memorable Shelby Sport Moment: Winning the 6th man award was the top of the list until tonight! This is awesome!

 

Future Plans: I plan on getting stronger every day with the therapy my Mom does with me, and someday I'd love to surprise everyone and walk in this gym to watch a ball game.

Advice for Future Shelby Basketball Players: You can do anything you put your mind to as long as you're willing to work hard.

Favorite Professional Sports Team:  Cleveland Indians

Message to my Family and Friends: To my Mom and Dad: Thanks for all you do for me every day. I know you're proud of me and I'll always love you both.

To my sisters: Sorry Mom and Dad have had to spend so much time with me over the years but I know how much you both love me. Thanks for understanding and thanks for all the hugs, kisses and support over the years. I love you both.

To all fans and players, past, present, and future: All I've ever wanted was to be accepted and loved. I always feel both around Whippet players and fans.

Thank You!! 

The night didn't stop there.....  Noah also got to experience coming out and getting his hand slapped by all the fans. What a dream come true for all of us. To hear Noah's name be called and to see him come out under the lights was truly a magical moment. Something we thought we would never see or hear.

We got to stay at our seats and experience it like all the other senior parents.  Noah's friend and fellow teammate Davey Hipp was his personal chauffeur if you will. 

Thank you to all the coaches, players and fans for making this a night a night we will never forget.

It's Great to be a Whippet!!!