This summer, Salt Lake City, Utah, parents of four Kimberly and Devon DowDell organized a neighborhood kickball game so their 14-year-old son Jack, who has Down syndrome, would have a fun activity to safely take part in. Concerned that he might be left out due to his smaller size and slower pace, they wanted to create a fun, inclusive activity with him in mind. The DowDells invited neighborhood kids, and Jack’s only job was to kick the ball, while the other kids would handle all the running.
At first, the parents would ask neighborhood kids to join, but as the games became more popular, everyone came to expect an evening kickball game. When it was time for Jack’s turn to kick, the kids would encourage him by chanting his name. To make the game even sweeter, Devon would take the winning team to get Slurpees, one of Jack’s favorite treats.
Kimberly shared a video of one game online, which quickly went viral with over 1.5-million views. The experience has helped Jack form genuine friendships with the neighborhood kids. Looking back on the support Jack has received, the DowDells realize how lucky they are and they hope he continues to grow in a world where he’s included, accepted, and loved.
Source: PEOPLE
Photo: Sean_Warren / E+ / Getty Images
