The Beautiful Impact Soccer Has Had On A 12-Year-Old Peterborough Boy With Autism
/It's a cold, winter Sunday morning on the western edge of Peterborough, Ontario, at the Spiplex Sports Complex. At first glance, you might not notice 12-year-old Keir Lewin among the other pre-teens crashing around the indoor field, during a game for the Peterborough Youth Indoor Soccer Club (P.Y.I.S.C.).
But, there is a difference.
Keir with one of his heroes Ronaldo on his wall
Even if we told you that Keir's dreams were: to play professional soccer, to meet a FIFA star (Neymar, Ronaldo and Messi are his faves), and to have a girlfriend—you might not realize how different Keir is from the other kids on the field today.
See, Keir is autistic. And, at age 12, this is his very first year in any organized sport club. It has taken almost six years to get to the stage where he can participate successfully in this environment.
His mom, Michelle, remembers the struggles of placing Keir in city summer camps in past years: "He always loved soccer," she tells PTBOCanada, "but it has not always been easy for Keir to find his way through the physical and the social obstacles, in a good game of soccer!"
Keir (at far left) in action at Spiplex
Keir used to attend summer camp only because of the aid of a one-on-one care person—a considerable financial, as well as social, burden. "Thank goodness for organizations like Autism Ontario, TriCounties and Community Living," Michelle tells PTBOCanada. "We wouldn't have made it to where we are without them!"
Keir was diagnosed late—at age seven—with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This journey is unique for each person, but in Keir's case it meant years of debilitating seizures, developmental delays and motor-skills challenges. Keir still works hard to integrate with kids his age, and to pick up on the subtle social cues that make everyday life manageable for most typical pre-teens.
This is a life-long commitment for his family, not just a temporary stop on the journey. "Autism at the higher-functioning level is a somewhat hidden burden," Michelle tells PTBOCanada.
However, "I believe Keir is capable of just about anything," Michelle says. "My goal is to help him find his way, as a person living with autism in a non-autistic world."
Keir lives at home with his mom and his nine year old brother, Chris. Keir's mom is his core support system and his biggest cheering squad, since Keir's dad—a trained chef who used to run the Fridge Cafe at the Peterborough YMCA—passed away over two years ago.
It has been, understandably, a tricky transition for the family. "I guess three is the magic number, like Jack Johnson sang," says Michelle. "We're doing OK, and we are held up by angels in our community every day. It is a marathon, but I believe we're unstoppable."
Michelle pictured with Keir and Chris
Keir functions in his school setting—in Grade 7 at Prince of Wales Public School in Peterborough—with the assistance of an Educational Assistant, Scott Mountenay. “Keir has been on an exponential trajectory,” Mountenay says. “Every year his endurance and his strength have improved. And playing soccer is helping his concentration. He now sits for longer periods of time at his desk before he needs a break.”
When Keir needs a change of scene, Scott lets him burn off steam by kicking a soccer ball or playing floor hockey in the gym. “Scott is one of my best friends,” says Keir.
Keir's biggest concern upon starting his new soccer endeavour in the indoor league? "I worried that I wouldn't be that good. These soccer guys have a lot of practice; I don't," he says.
Watching Keir in his first game this past October was an amazing moment for his mom: "Believe it or not, he got the only goal in his first game! And his coach named him M.V.P.," she recalls. "I almost lost it, I was so overwhelmed." His coach, Gord Dawson, has worked hard with Keir's mom from the start, and most importantly helped to establish a culture of inclusiveness in the game.
Keir in action at Spiplex
