When our 14 year old son said he wanted to sign up for Band, I thought cool, another Band Season. When I realized his high school had a Marching Band, ok we can figure this out. I schedule a meeting with one of the directors and thankfully our son will not be the first blind kid that has joined this marching band. We talk about his different options and the adults decide that the best plan is for him to play his alto saxophone on the sidelines in the “Pit,” where among other instruments the marimbas, the gong and bass drum park. I’m hesitant, but excited we have a plan that allows for his full participation. I take this plan home to my son and what does he say, “No Mom, I want to march.” Round two, scheduled another meeting with the director, except this time my son joins us.
Being a parent of two kids with extra needs, I’m accustomed to these sometimes awkward meetings with teachers, medical providers, therapists and professionals doing their best to understand my child’s needs. I am still learning how to adapt to my child’s expansion of his so called “limitations.” Am I going to be the parent to tell my child he cannot be as fiercely independent as he wants to be? I’m trying not to be. To the director’s credit, they worked together throughout band camp to figure out the best approach for him. Were there many days he sat on the sidelines while they figured out the best solution? Yes. Like many other kids, he also had to build up his endurance to withstand the Florida summer heat and play and keep up with the choreography. Did I mention his high school is also one of the top competitors in its division in the State of Florida and has an annual budget, supported by amazing fundraisers, of $300,000? Not only had a signed my child up for Marching Band, but we committed to one of the best in the state with a reputation to maintain. Not only does he need to perform to prove his worth and abilities, but I also want to be cognizant of the entire band’s needs, reputation and safety.
Due to the fact that he has an insatiable spirit and overcomes many obstacles any “typical” person could even fathom, he gained the director’s confidence and participated in the vast majority of the band’s competitions, the countless rehearsals and finished off the season with winning first in the state after a 20 hour competition. Due to the fact that he has been supported by parents, family and professionals telling him he can do anything he puts his mind to, he did it. There were still many nights I worried his Epilepsy would not allow him to fully enjoy the season and definitely some rehearsals his mild Cerebral Palsy told his body he had to rest, but in the end he fully participated and earned his High School’s Regiment 2021 State Championship.