My Son's Not Rainman
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SPORTS DAY

27/7/2013

6 Comments

 
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As well as being the school play, last week was also Sports Day. I hate Sports Day. In fact, there's one word too many in that sentence. I hate Sports.

Maybe hate is too strong a word... I just don't see the point in it. Like the other week when Andy WhatsHisFace won at Wimbledon. I tried to care, really I did, but ultimately it was just a man hitting a ball into a box painted on the floor with slightly more accuracy than some other bloke hitting the ball into another box painted on the same floor. And then they sat down and drank some squash. I just don't get it.

I suppose it all to comes down to if you are a competitive person or not. I'm not. I couldn't support a football team because if my team won I'd feel sorry for the team that lost because I'd remember how that felt when it happened to me. I'd just want every result to be a draw and then everyone would be happy.

It's a bit like that age-old cliche that PE teachers have been rolling out for years - about how it isn't the winning that counts, it's the taking part. But when you were at school they never meant it. They couldn't hide the disappointment etched on their faces as you once more failed to stop the ball from crossing the goal mouth on a wet, cold, Winter's day. It was never about the taking part.

So, Sports Day at The Boy's school.

The Boy took part in a few races. Even the running races. The Boy who I told you was taking his wheelchair to school only a couple of months ago ran the 50m AND the 100m. He's nothing if not inconsistent... He came second in both races. And alright, it was out of three. And the boy who was third hadn't really grasped the concept of the race but none of that mattered in the slightest.

Then came the long jump. Or to give it its full title, Walking Through A Sandpit. There might not have been much jumping, but that's what made the day so special, none of it mattered, each competitor was cheered on like an Olympian by parents and teachers alike.

Then the javelin. Or Chucking A Foam Dart in a Field. The Boy excelled at this. He was offered three attempts, but he decided one was enough. You can have too much of a good thing.

Then, the final event. The high jump. Or Throwing Yourself Onto a Mattress. Like so many of the other competitors, The Boy's style was slightly less than conventional. But you couldn't doubt his commitment as he flung himself onto that mattress like Lee Majors in The Fall Guy.

It was a brilliant day, marred only by one thing. Parent's Race. I can't tell you who won, as I was hiding behind a gazebo at the time. It's true what they say, it's the taking part that matters...

6 Comments
anita
27/7/2013 03:38:11 am

Ha! We are not sports fans in this house either. Yet our daughter (who due to a +13 prescription glasses has no hand eye co-ordination) loves to take part. It sounds like it was as fun day & like most sports days everywhere!

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Kristina link
27/7/2013 05:17:08 am

Don't even get me started on the parents' race..... at my oldest son's school, many of the parents turned up in full running gear and warmed up on the start line. One mum even kicked off her flip flops and demanded that a child (not even hers!) give her his trainers so that she could take part in the correct gear!! Whatever happened to tucking your skirt in toyour knickers and running a la Zola Budd? The "taking part" is taken very seriously round here! Not by me...I also hid...

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Stacey
27/7/2013 06:58:09 am

Sticking my hand up and admitting I'm also not a big fan of sports. I believe my PE teachers exact words to my parents were: "She can't run, but bless her she tries".

I was 14.... *cough*

Sounds like The Boy had an amazing time though!

(PS, Hoping to catch your show in Edinburgh. Born and raised in Edinburgh. Never been to a Fringe show yet, but might make an exception for yours haha)

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Sally
27/7/2013 12:12:26 pm

Having suffered through many mainstream sports days as a parent/schoolgirl, the only sports day I have ever actually liked was at my autistic son's special school this year. You're right-all children are cheered, medals given out like confetti,races on the Alice in Wonderland principle of running when you want until you stop, also whenever you want!
I also hate taking part-but if there isn't a gazebo to lurk behind one can always offer to take the photos at the finish line...
I'm so pleased the Boy had a good time. Big and little victories are what keep us going.

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sharon
27/7/2013 01:55:43 pm

You know something? Plays and Sports Day sound fantastic at your boys School!!! :)

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Cooking with Alex link
17/12/2020 03:47:44 pm

Lovely blog yoou have

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