Autistic owls

[CiderOwl]

Great Job Wakefield.

 

I have two brothers with Autism who completely come alive watching Wednesday. There can be times when they have little interest in socialising or coversation but add the Owls to the mix and their eyes light up. They will talk for hours about our best starting line up or a video of a goal they have seen from years ago whilst trawling youtube.

 

Watching Wednesday is 90 minutes of freedom to be who they are. Its great to know that others also benefit soo much.

[full fathom five]

Some great stories in this thread.

WAWAW

[themaskedowl]

My son is also autistic and when he first started going to games at age 10 he found it really daunting and was scared stiff. 

hmmmm, I'm guessing that's when Alan Irvine was in charge. He wasn't alone.

 

 

 

 

 For his first season I think I spent more time wandering around the ground with him than actually watching the games.

Been there and done that too.

Edited December 22, 2015 by themaskedowl

[Guest theowlz4eva]

I also have Aspergers and I find going to watch Wednesday offers me a release from the evereryday battles I find in life. Whilst I could never go to a game on my own, nor would I find sitting anywhere but the end of a row comfortable, the crowds inside Hillsborough don't bother me so much.

I still find it difficult to cope with gatherings of crowds outside the stadium, where behaviour and the surroundings are less predictable. Although in saying that, I do enjoy going to away games too, but the whole worry and my fears are magnified incredibly.

[PhatOwl]

My lad is six and took the plunge and took him to the 2 cup games this year. He has sat pretty well, he loved the atmosphere at the Arsenal match. Had to sit in the grandstand as he also has ulcerative colitis, so require the changing facilities there are needed. The family liaison lady there has been fantastic. Looking forward to taking him to the FA cup game against Fulham too, and he keeps asking to go again. It's a big release for him, and has been such a positive experience for both of us.

[themaskedowl]

My lad is six and took the plunge and took him to the 2 cup games this year. He has sat pretty well, he loved the atmosphere at the Arsenal match. Had to sit in the grandstand as he also has ulcerative colitis, so require the changing facilities there are needed. The family liaison lady there has been fantastic. Looking forward to taking him to the FA cup game against Fulham too, and he keeps asking to go again. It's a big release for him, and has been such a positive experience for both of us.

Awesome. So glad to hear the club is looking after all the owls.

[Rogerwyldesmullet]

Heart warming thread this.

I have little experience of this first hand but I remember visiting a friend of a friend who was chuffed that "James has just slept through the night for the first time"

Turning aside I asked quietly why that was such a big deal "He's autistic" came the reply. And James was 8.

That mother remains in my eyes a saint of our times.

[Flat Owl]

Positive posts and great to hear that being at S6 provides release and some respite for those that have varying degrees of the condition.

 

Needs looking into more IMO as I am sure there are many others that would like to take the opportunity - its what being a part of a football club should be about.

 

WAWAW

[Plonk]

This is what makes being a wednedayite so special. I know how hard this has been for Wakefield but Lukes been brilliant. So too have all those that sit around us. Some of the comments on here reflect all that and its good to know just what the club do to help out. One of those things the club does but never makes a big issue of.

Wawaw we really are

[Guest JaenOwl]

My son is 10 and  has Asperger's, he listens to and watches the games with me, he's more interested in the substitutions than the goals though! Football is a really useful way to give him something to talk about with other kids. Got his first Wednesday shirt last week for his birthday.

[since59owe]

I've got Aspergers as everyone who knows me knows, I find going to games as a break from real life problems and so on. Got my first season ticket when I was 11 and I've not looked back since (now 26)

Very good, keep it up, mate

[Inspector Lestrade]

One of the best things about football, that it doesn't matter who you are:-

 

Any age

Any gender

Any colour

Any class

Any body size

Any addiction

Any affliction

Any religion

Any race

Any political view (not sure about rabid right wingers tho)

 

One of the last few places where the whole community can come together in something positive.  

 

Love it….

[Guest Maxine]

One of the best things about football, that it doesn't matter who you are:-

 

Any age

Any gender

Any colour

Any class

Any body size

Any addiction

Any affliction

Any religion

Any race

Any political view (not sure about rabid right wingers tho)

 

One of the last few places where the whole community can come together in something positive.  

 

Love it….

So true this and no matter what is going on in my life, for the duration of the game I forget about it all.

[wakefieldowl]

Thanks for those fantastic comments. It brought a little tear to my eye, being the big jessy that I am. I hope it inspires some of you to take the challenge, like it did me a year ago

[WAWAWUTO17]

Thanks for those fantastic comments. It brought a little tear to my eye, being the big jessy that I am. I hope it inspires some of you to take the challenge, like it did me a year ago

I know the feeling well mate. It's all nice to know you aren't alone !

[themaskedowl]

One of the best things about football, that it doesn't matter who you are:-

 

Any age

Any gender

Any colour

Any class

Any body size

Any addiction

Any affliction

Any religion

Any race

Any political view (not sure about rabid right wingers tho)

 

One of the last few places where the whole community can come together in something positive.  

 

Love it….

Could argue that Addiction, Affliction and Religion are all "Football". 

[Inspector Lestrade]

Could argue that Addiction, Affliction and Religion are all "Football". 

  Good point but you know what I mean.

[themaskedowl]

  Good point but you know what I mean.

I know what you mean, yes. Agreeing really that we all have quite a lot in common.

Edited December 23, 2015 by themaskedowl

[Musn't Grumble]

My lad's not autistic but he has got severe learning difficulties (Down's Syndrome).

 

He's been a season ticket holder since the 1990s when he would have been around ten years old and the club have been very helpful when getting cup tickets, etc.

 

Now he can't miss a match, although he does get upset when Wednesday lose. On the way home on such occasions, he either rants off about the referee and complains that the opposition goals were all offside or he doesn't talk at all. He once went until the Monday evening after a Saturday defeat before he would speak to anyone.

 

Having said that, football has brought him a lot of joy, excitement and worth over the years and he fully feels that he is part of the football community.

 

Anyone who has disabled relatives should consider taking them along to Hillsborough. If they can get past the shy or distressed stages, the fans are a wonderful community, the atmosphere can be very stimulating and the whole day out gives a healthy sense of belonging and security.

[Gorny]

Great read everyone; keep the stories coming!