AzEuph Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 This kid is going to have sponsorships flying out of his ears when he does decide to march....PLUS HE'LL GET HIS OWN ESPN STORY!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bearz Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 What a great story! I'm SO looking forward to the followup stories when he marches his first year with a corps, and then the year he ages out, and what corps has meant to him. Mike...outstanding! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cccmommy Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 I am the mother of an autistic child, as well as an alum of the Blue Devils. Naturally, when my son was little he was subjected to many hours of DCI tapes, mostly BD finals. At first, he seemed to like the music and the colors. In time he became a huge fan of the Devils, spinning a mini-flag and dancing around while the tapes played. When championships were in D.C. I didn't think he could handle all the stimulation of a full show, so I looked up The Blue Devils housing site and decided to take him to a practice. When we pulled into the parking lot, he was absolutely dumbfounded. Each vehicle with the logo blew him away. "MOM! A Bwoo Debil twuck! MOM! A Bwoo Debil Bus!" We stood in the horn arc, we watched run-throughs, we soaked up as much as we could without being nuisances. OK, maybe we were nuisances. The thing that was so touching to me about the experience was not just the joy my son had on his face seeing his heroes in person but everyone else's reaction to him. They exemplified what we all know of as that familial warmth that is drum corps. Jay Murphy giving him a piggy-back ride. Members showing him the instruments and guard equipment. Dave Gibbs helping him get a snack from the food truck. I doubt that he will ever be able to accomplish what is required if he wanted to march. As high-functioning as he is, he couldn't handle the stresses of sleeping in different places or having to be with people for that much time. It was wonderful though to have him welcomed so lovingly into the "family" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drumcat Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 It's funny that as a member, when you're out there doing the work, you don't realize all of this goes on. At least I didn't. But after the fact, you realize all the things that go into drum corps, and then you appreciate your time that much more. Once you do, you realize how important it is to keep this thing going at any cost. This is yet another reason why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Boo Posted December 8, 2006 Author Share Posted December 8, 2006 It's funny that as a member, when you're out there doing the work, you don't realize all of this goes on. At least I didn't. But after the fact, you realize all the things that go into drum corps, and then you appreciate your time that much more. Once you do, you realize how important it is to keep this thing going at any cost. This is yet another reason why. Yes, for as much as drum corps means to us as members, it also means a lot to those who aren't on the field. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A27Lancer Posted December 8, 2006 Share Posted December 8, 2006 I always felt that 1978 was a pretty lousy way to end my marching career - aging out in 7th place. This article made me feel darn good about that show and the experience. Nothing like the delight of a young person to put things in perspective! Thanks, Mike, and the family Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 Great article, Mike! :) Steven will be a better human being for what his parents are doing. (And I hope they do get him on the field in the coming years.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Boo Posted December 9, 2006 Author Share Posted December 9, 2006 I always felt that 1978 was a pretty lousy way to end my marching career - aging out in 7th place. This article made me feel darn good about that show and the experience. Nothing like the delight of a young person to put things in perspective!Thanks, Mike, and the family True. And remember there are hundreds of kids from 1978 who would have loved to have aged out in 7th place and thousands more who would have just loved to have been able to have marched that year...or any year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vanguard07 Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 WOW.... That's all that can be said, WOW. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g0at Posted December 9, 2006 Share Posted December 9, 2006 (edited) Mike, My mother is a special education teacher. She works with Autistic kids at an elementary! I am sending her this article. From what I have heard, it is amazing that he responds so well to drum corps. He is one lucky dad! Edited December 9, 2006 by g0at Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.