A Father’s Promise To His Son
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I am raising money to send my son, Dominic, to Madrid, Spain for the opportunity to stay and be trained by UEFA Licensed coaches at the Atletico Madrid training center from March 25 to April 1,2018. I need to raise $4,800.00 by February 28, 2018
, to cover airfare, travel expenses, and the cost associated with training at the professional soccer club’s training complex.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” - Psalm 34:18
I always ask Dominic about why he loves soccer so much, and why he wants to be a professional soccer player. His reply, “Dad - Soccer is my life and I cannot live without it. When I play soccer I feel good about myself. I feel free and have no worries.”
When Dominic was 6 yrs old, he was bullied by many of his classmates because he had trouble writing, drawing, and tying his shoes. One afternoon after picking him up from school, he and I sat at the kitchen table when he began to cry. As I held him in my arms, I asked him what was wrong. He held up his hands, looked at me crying, and then said, “Why am I different? Why am I not like other kids? I HATE MY HANDS!! Why am I not normal like other kids?” I was devastated to hear these words from my son and felt helpless for my son’s broken heart. I took him to his pediatrician who referred us to an occupational therapist who diagnosed him with fine motor developmental delay.
“Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.” - Joel Arthur Baker
Children diagnosed with fine motor delay have a difficult time using their small muscles, so simple tasks like grasping a pencil, holding a cup, or tying his shoes was difficult. Since Dominic experienced these, he developed an inferiority complex. He had low self-esteem from the bullying he endured at school. He received occupational therapy at clinic and at home for 4 long years, and like a Champion, he worked hard and was determined to build the strength in his hands. It was also during this time that he developed a love for the sport of soccer for which he used as an outlet and coping mechanism. Despite his disability, he never wavered in his dream to become a professional soccer player and developed a deep love and true passion for the sport of soccer and at 9 years old he told me that one-day he would play in the Spanish Premier League.
On the day he was born, I was the first person that cast eyes on him and at that very moment I said to him, “Welcome to the world my beautiful little boy. I love you and promise that I will always be there for you no matter what life throws your way.”
Only God knows what will transpire from this experience. My son has only one dream in mind and that is to be a professional soccer player and positive role model for other victims of bullying. He has gained significant strength in his hands and made tremendous progress since.
Your HELP and much-appreciated support will give him this opportunity to train with UEFA coaches, and through his persistence and perseverance a shot at achieving a dream to one day be a professional soccer player. Your support will also help me keep the promise I made to him on the day he was born. Thank you for your support!
, to cover airfare, travel expenses, and the cost associated with training at the professional soccer club’s training complex.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” - Psalm 34:18
I always ask Dominic about why he loves soccer so much, and why he wants to be a professional soccer player. His reply, “Dad - Soccer is my life and I cannot live without it. When I play soccer I feel good about myself. I feel free and have no worries.”
When Dominic was 6 yrs old, he was bullied by many of his classmates because he had trouble writing, drawing, and tying his shoes. One afternoon after picking him up from school, he and I sat at the kitchen table when he began to cry. As I held him in my arms, I asked him what was wrong. He held up his hands, looked at me crying, and then said, “Why am I different? Why am I not like other kids? I HATE MY HANDS!! Why am I not normal like other kids?” I was devastated to hear these words from my son and felt helpless for my son’s broken heart. I took him to his pediatrician who referred us to an occupational therapist who diagnosed him with fine motor developmental delay.
“Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world.” - Joel Arthur Baker
Children diagnosed with fine motor delay have a difficult time using their small muscles, so simple tasks like grasping a pencil, holding a cup, or tying his shoes was difficult. Since Dominic experienced these, he developed an inferiority complex. He had low self-esteem from the bullying he endured at school. He received occupational therapy at clinic and at home for 4 long years, and like a Champion, he worked hard and was determined to build the strength in his hands. It was also during this time that he developed a love for the sport of soccer for which he used as an outlet and coping mechanism. Despite his disability, he never wavered in his dream to become a professional soccer player and developed a deep love and true passion for the sport of soccer and at 9 years old he told me that one-day he would play in the Spanish Premier League.
On the day he was born, I was the first person that cast eyes on him and at that very moment I said to him, “Welcome to the world my beautiful little boy. I love you and promise that I will always be there for you no matter what life throws your way.”
Only God knows what will transpire from this experience. My son has only one dream in mind and that is to be a professional soccer player and positive role model for other victims of bullying. He has gained significant strength in his hands and made tremendous progress since.
Your HELP and much-appreciated support will give him this opportunity to train with UEFA coaches, and through his persistence and perseverance a shot at achieving a dream to one day be a professional soccer player. Your support will also help me keep the promise I made to him on the day he was born. Thank you for your support!
Organizer
Christopher Torres
Organizer
Annandale, VA
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