We have to help each other even in the high and low, with good health or with disabilities, who have helped them to make society learn this because they didn’t know about it or just ignored it. Even doing or saying small things of kindness makes them comfortable and easy to talk with others.
In this story, Shannon Grimes is the mother of two children, Tanner Grimes, 11, and Carson Grimes, 6. They both are part of the Reaper’s team, and they have had a match in which they lost. However, losing the game isn’t the concern because Carson has a rare genetic mutation, GRIN1, which prevents him from playing, but he was a part of the team.
When the reapers lost the championship game, both teams felt like winners because the best thing was that Tanner took Carson to the ground and made sure that he didn’t feel alone in this; he made him run in his wheelchair because, with this disease, he could not walk or move.
Everyone on the ground felt so overwhelmed by this kindness that Tanner pulled. Tanner’s coach made a jersey for Carson and made him the team captain. At the championship game, all the team members were given the ring, and the coach made an extra ring because he knew that Tanner would give his ring to Carson, without knowing about the extra ring. Tanner was surprised.
After that championship game, some of the members, including Tanner, took their wheel and ran around the field; meanwhile, Hendersonville’s coach noticed this and put his foot on the ground, his warm kindness that he gave the match ball to Carson, and this kindhearted coach made everyone numb, especially his mother. And she wore the sunglasses to hide the tears. Doing this was their team’s tradition, and they do it after every match. Because of this tradition, Shannon said I must make only a baseball field with wheels.
Carson’s neurological problem is that his brain and muscles don’t work accurately, and he’s unable to understand what people say to him; he responds with a cute smile. He also had a digestive system problem, and he was only fed through a G-tube.
Carson made everyone smile and taught everyone that it can be made comfortable even in the most challenging times because it can be solved occasionally, no matter what. Coach Jackson of Hendersonville subsequently informed Fox 17, “I witnessed three or four of them escorting him around the bases, and it seemed like nothing else was significant.” He wore a broad grin and hoped to hand him the team ball. “It was remarkable to see… it offers a new perspective.”
“After we left the field, I saw that nearly every mother had red eyes from tears shed during that meaningful moment,” Shannon shared. “The recognition and praise from the other team regarding our boys’ interactions and inclusion of Carson indicates that we are all on the right track.”
In the post she made on her Facebook profile, Shannon stated the importance of inclusion, saying that it wouldn’t make them weird if they included Carson on their team and that those team members were so well-behaved that they thought it was cool to be joyful with Carson because some of the team members were part of an elementary school where Tanner and Carson were also.
Shannon describes herself as an ‘open-book’ regarding her son and ENJOYS when others inquire about her son.
She has stated: “As parents of a child with disabilities, we bear a significant responsibility for educating our community, perhaps even more so.” I frequently hear from fellow parents, ‘I had no clue this was a problem. “I never would have considered that.” To which I ALWAYS reply. ‘And that is perfectly fine!’ I wasn’t aware either until Carson came along. “It is crucial for me to inform our community instead of rejecting them for their lack of awareness about a problem.”
“I wish for others to understand that the Carsons of the world simply seek someone to converse with; to engage with them,” Shannon continues. “They desire to be part of it.” Suppose you wish to engage with a child but aren’t sure how; consult their parents. Most of the time, if that parent has them out, they likely want you to inquire.
Shannon was the mother of a son with disability; she made the world know that you shouldn’t ignore your children if they ask questions about disability, because they should know the truth, and in the future, they won’t make mistakes related to disability, even the older ones should also learn things about this. Even saying hello or doing a handshake with them makes them feel comfortable living in this society and secure. This small kindness can make them smile; when they smile, everyone smiles.
