TECH CORNER
Sideline Power Bowl RAISING AWARENESS FOR SPINA BIFIDA AND AUTISM BY MATT STARR
M ■■Above: Sideline Power hosted the 1st annual Backyard Battle to raise awareness for Autism and Spina Bifida. ■■Right: Zander (left), Aiden (right)
y name is Matt Starr, CEO and Owner of Sideline Power. Sideline Power
has teamed up with FNF Coaches to bring you the latest and greatest in coaching technology each issue. For this issue however, I want to switch gears a little bit to something a bit more personal. It’s time to get #PoweredUP with this issue’s topic, Spina Bifida and Autism awareness Outside of working and coaching, my wife and I spend exorbitant amounts of energy working with our two boys, one of whom was born with Spina Bifida and the other who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Spina Bifida is a birth defect where the spinal cord fails to fully develop or close properly while in the womb. Spina Bifida affects about 200,000 kids in the entire United States and while medical treatment can help, it is incurable. Autism encompasses a variety of neurologically diverse conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech and nonverbal communication. According to the CDC, autism affects an estimated 1 in 54 kids in the United States. Again, medical treatment can help but, like Spina Bifida, autism is incurable. Energetic and enthusiastic, our boys have always wanted to be engaged with sports and activities like all kids their ages. Most kids their age, however, don’t readily understand the different complications that stem from living with disabilities. When I was a kid, I never knew what kids with disabilities went through, unless I saw it happening at school. For example, over the last
twelve months my boys have had over 50 different doctors appointments, 26 days of hospital stays, multiple surgeries, and months upon months of physical rehabilitations. Even with all the challenges and restrictive nature of their diseases, like any other kid, they enjoy being involved in team sports in any capacity. As a coach, you play an integral role in the athletic AND personal development of every single youth that comes through your program. The culture of your program is the essence of what you encourage your youth to believe, value, and do. It is the visual representation of how youth in your program connect, communicate, think, work and act. Programs with cultures that promote inclusivity, humility, and community have stronger ties with their community and more ardent support FROM their community. Raising awareness of disabilities like Autism and Spina Bifida help youth in your program better understand and empathize with youth who love every day with these disabilities. Youth who, at the end of the day, want to be engaged, active, and part of an amazing team and an amazing culture.
Scan the QR code to check out the inaugural Sideline Power Bowl raising awareness of Spina Bifida and Autism 14
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