When I was a freshman in high school, the seniors and juniors that were in my school didn't care that I was a special needs student. All they saw was a shy girl in need of new friends. They sat with me at lunch every day and made me feel like family.
in uk schools you get bullied for being special needs lmao, except some groups, but it's mostly behind-the-back kind of chatter, not straight up bullying (this isnt america after all)
@@joopie46614 I understand this completely as a Mum who has a child with learning disabilities, she just wants to be friends with everyone but a lot of people either ignore her or pretend to be her friend. I'm also in the UK, I remember one time we were in a shop & a lad from her School was there with his friends he seen my daughter & went to hide, she thought he was playing he didn't realise I was with her but as soon as he did he was pretending he didn't notice her in the shop saying "oh I didn't see you hi" I just shook my head at him. I am trying to teach her not everyone is nice but once she meets a good friend she won't be bothered about the silly kids who ignore her, she is just too nice which I tried to shield her from things when she was younger but I realised that wasn't fair either as she would always be disappointed. I hope you are doing okay just ignore people like that as they aren't worth having someone as amazing as you as a friend, take care & stay strong.
Please do not say the school, it is too easyn way too easy. It Is not the school but the people inside it that made it. Do not forget it is all about people, it's not a system that took care of her but a bunch of people. Please remember that, words are low key extremely important for whoever will have to read or hear you in the future. It's like you are contradicting yourself between what you are hoping for and what you are callign for. People care, the schools process.
I have a friend with autism. He was two years older than me. However, he was in the same grade as me, but in the special needs classes. My mom made me be his friend in seventh grade, when kids made fun of other kids that weren’t “cool.” At first, it sucked. But, it turned out that he was a very nice guy. He liked the same things that I liked. I was no longer embarrassed to be his friend. He moved away when I was in 12th grade to live with his dad, as his dad lived near a high school with a solid special needs program. He told me that he would always be my friend and to keep in contact. Well, years passed and life goes on. I went to college, graduate school, marriage, divorce, etc. I didn’t keep up with him as I promised I would. Then, I had a life threatening emergency and was hospitalized. An unlikely friend showed up with his new wife (also autistic). He told me that he was there to be my friend and would be there for him as I was for him as a kid. That brought tears to my eyes and I’ve never lost touch with him again. I know this is a long post. But, this video is very touching.
I wish my school had had something like this when I was growing up. I'm a paraplegic confined to a wheelchair, and I was bullied quite a bit for it. I had certain friends who backed me up, but there were also a lot of people who really treated me very badly. Kudos to the coach for teaching these young men to be humble, and to help someone else in need.
That wasn’t fair to you... I’m so sorry you had to deal with that. I was bullied too for being fat... and wouldn’t stick up for myself but if anyone had tried to mess with my friends, most of whom had a major disability I would protect them at all costs, most the time turning the attention of the bullies on myself. my best friend has cerebral palsy and doesn’t really have use of half her body and if she’s not in her wheelchair she has to crawl on her hands and knees, something very few of us have been allowed to see as she only does it in the comfort of her own home because her apartment isn’t wheelchair accessible. she has to get out at her front door and crawl up the 2 stairs dragging her chair. She’s an empath with major anxiety but you couldn’t meet a more loving and giving person. I met her because She sat behind me in a lecture and I was bawling in class one day, silently, but she noticed and tapped my shoulder and asked if I could help her to the bathroom. When we got outside she took us to a study table near by and told me to spill, we’d never really spoken before this except if she asked me to help her in or outta the room but so,etching about her made me start talking... I told her I had just gotten news from my doctor right before class that I had cancer, she could sense my panic and upset and got me outta that room. She then told me to go grab my stuff back at class (told, no nonsense, didn’t ask) and we walked to the school coffee shop and just talked. We’ve been best friends now for over 10 years, even though I had to move to Hawaii for my health, we still talk constantly. I would protect that girl with my life. I’m so happy you had friends who stood up for you. Had you been at my school, I can bet you I’d have stood up for you too. I hope things are a little better for you now. 💖 Sorry, that was long 🙈
when olivias hand was shaking and dillon grabbed it to calm her down and when he told her she was pretty and to be herself i broke down😭 that was the cutest thing ever
I love how he just took Olivia's hand and told her everything is okay when she was nervous... My little sister had special needs and passed away when she was 12 during a brain surgery, so seeing people giving kids with special needs a hope and everything it's just... I love it...
I'm truly sorry for your loss. I know your little sister still feels your love. I'll bet she watches over you. May God bless you, your sister and your family. ❤️
I wish more schools were like this. I remember that in middle school teachers, faculty, and students would do everything they could to be friends with kids who have special needs. But when I got to high school, I didn’t see any of that which was really sad to see.
Teacher for special needs kids right here, and its such a beautiful thing to see. As teachers we truly want to make sure these kids feel safe and equally treated right in school, we wouldnt be able to pull our job at the best level if classmates weren't part of the equation. when we see their school peers become friends with them, understand them, make sure they can chase those sad bullies off ; it gives us yet another reason to make things always better for these kids at school.
My son played football and always reached out to the kids eating alone in the lunchroom and invited them to the "Jock Table". Now he has a very special relationship with his special needs sister-in-law. This Coach understands that Coaching is about making Men out of boys.
My wife works with special needs children at a local high school and the athletes there do many activities with kids. It's great to see them caring about the kid not their perceived disabilities.
I'm a grandparent of a special needs grandson.....and he is the one always giving and loving....those who partner up in schools in programs like this one will benefit as much as the special needs child will, and they can learn just as much from them. special needs kids are not less or weaker, just different like we are all different and have different talents and gifts to share
In elementary school I made friends with a Clearly special needs girl ( ironically her sister and I have the same name) I invited her to my birthday , when she took the invitation home, her mom .are Acala to my mom, probably dreading when she did, because she wanted to make sure My mom knew that her daughter was Special needs. ( in other cases she had been " uninvited" when Parents found out) my mom said, " yeah, we know, we'd still love to have her". We went mini putting that year, it got to be too much for her so she and my dad sat under a Tree in the shade to watch us, and chat. She had a great time, cause she was included. Its all she talked about for days afterwards. Of course, every time she would see me at school she'd call my name and run towards me with her arms open for a Hug. Well years past, and then I ran into her as an adult. I wasn't sure she would remember me, but there, in the middle of the grocery store I hear my name called , in that special voice , and I look over to see her running towards me, with her arms out for a Hug, so I move my cart and brace myself for the impact, ( we were both older and um.. heavier than when we were kids) she still talked about my birthday party. I actually found her on Facebook and friended her. I am now a mom to a Special needs 12 year old daughter, somehow I think the two are related ( in a good way)
The thought that a school stepped up and Did something so great makes me cry because it reminds what I lost but won't get back. Thank you to those players and coaches .
Whatever u r doing at Emmaus High School, keep doing it!! Your young people are setting a very amazing example of kindness and humanity.I am very proud of you. Thank you for the remin- der of selflessness and understanding. Best wishes from me in Canada.😊😊😊😊😋😋
Now this is a coach. It makes a difference. Some coaches make excuses for his players violating our daughters and some make them be kind to special needs babies
I don't have a special needs kid... but this still pulls heart strings. Super proud of you young fellas. All these kids will enter adulthood as much more emotionally strengthened people
I love this because I can relate to what they are doing. Anytime I saw a special needs kid playing by themselves I would always go and sit by them or play with them. This has made me want to go into being a special needs teacher when I am older! Love this.❤️
when i was in kindergarten i had an autistic classmate and the whole class was always into doin stuff with him whenever he felt like it (it was a severe case and he was almost completely non verbal, so means to communicate were creative, but nobody ever gave up on including him any chance there was)and then in elementary school i befriended a classmate who ended up in a wheelchair after a car accident, he was plenty of fun to be around and i literally took it upon me to tell bullies to sod off on his behalf (for this and because sometimes they also made fun of where he came from), fast forward 20+ years later and I'm now a special ed teacher , i may have a call with it because my mother and aunt used to be as well but i think i'd have not picked the same career if it hadn't been for those two guys, i carry them in my mind any time i look at one of the kids at school who re like them and they guide my hand on the best choices to take for those i teach to.
As someone who is special needs, I know and understand what it is like to be isolated in some cases, and it always makes me so proud and happy to see people doing this who are not special needs themselves.
I'm in floods of tears. How beautiful, wonderful and amazing is this! Many kids with disabilities are often locked down on and so see this is so joyfoul. Takes me back so my days at senior school where i used to chaperone a girl with disabilities and we used to throw a Christmas party for kids with downs and disabilities. To see the smiles on their faces was priceless. It also gave me so much satisfaction to bring some joy into their lives. All schools and colleges should do this.
Tears of joy..of a mother of an autistic son...wish my school did this..those players don't realize just how special they are....God bless you all...and to the coach that inspired them....
Glad to see people with differences being treated with respect. I am an adult with autism that turns 40 this year, and wish there was this kind of program for me in high school. I would love a chance to mentor college students with autism and ensure that they have an even better college experience than I did, and mine was not half bad at all! Paying it forward! ❤️❤️❤️
@@michelerich1590 2 years later but dawg thats not a pity compliment her hair is actually so nice, i need tips on how it keeps the ends from splitting but still is flowing
Football players in high school are usually the toughest looking and acting people in the schools, for obvious reasons. It's a genius idea to make these kids help out those who may be targeted for being "weak." Showing even the big tough football players can have soft hearts. Every school in America should do this.
This is nicest thing he did for her and I never thought they were going to this at school and I hopefully they have something in common as friends with each other
What the football players have done is amazing and humbleing. I had a brother with down syndrome and we attended HS together my friends would high five him all the time. He loved it. Keep on with the tradition ❤️🏈
This maid me cry and emotional at my highschool they never did this and I was a loner and was bullied because I was different and I have a disabilitie. But I'm glad that this highschool did this for people that have disabilitie. That they step out there own way to create this special bond.
In high school I always made it a point to make sure that the special needs kids had someone to look up to, to have a shoulder to cry on and I would invite them to come sit with my group of friends at lunch. I even made it a point to stop by their class on the way to my classes and say hey and give knuckles, hugs and high fives to all the kids. I viewed myself as their big sister.
Everyone should be so lucky to have a great best friend like Olivia has! And that coach is a wonderful man for having his team help other students, those young fellows will be better men for having that experience.
God bless you all what an amazing young men I have a special needs granddaughter is really affects how as parents and grandparents to know there's special people still in this world of uncertainty your coach is amazing also With love and respect from Grants Pass, Oregon
I love this coach coming up with these program. Though at first I'm sure they was scared more then not want to do this but in the end they came to see what a life changing thing they've done.
I loved that no was left behind. I wish this would go in every school across the country. They formed special bonds that I'm sure will never break. The football player that said he loved Olivia had me crying. If anyone took anything from this is it is that they are compassionate towards special needs people.
Unconditional love can change anyone and special needs children always give freely love to all, way to go coach and players you will be forever changed. Love you Olivia. SJ
Thank you! When you are healthy you take it for granted! When you are challenged child! All schools should remember and encourage great moments like these!
What great young men, young people get such bad press, but I often see acts of kindness, we tend to shine the light on the negative. Great work by all, great initiative.
Awesome! Jocks can be good guys & girls - reach out, & reach up with a good heart. Be there for others not just a sport. GOD BLESS the coach for teaching kindness & generosity.
One of my neighbors is a special needs kid and he’s amazing. I don’t know the name of anything going on but he’s very friendly, everyone loves him and he’s our football team’s manager! (P.S. his younger brother is a GIANT)
Amazing lads. In this day and age it is good to see these young men go above and beyond to include not exclude someonw because they may be a bit different.
Why did this make me cry? Man, gave me the feels. It's wonderful see young people caring and being gentle and kind; now they can take these lessons out into the world with them.
What a great coach, he's made a change in these kid's hearts. Kindness, caring, thoughtfulness, friendships etc.. this is what most parents want their kids to get from orgamized sports.
It's great for the "different" friends, to have more confidence, to feel the kindness too. And for the players, to know their situation, to feel what they didn't feel. Both of them must be grateful, it's rare in Asia with their habitual with background culture & history. Especially to think these players have popularity because of their sports & many girls willing to cat-fight to get them.
As an old woman who was born with special needs I always sat with the rest of the special needs kids during lunch especially in high school and of course everyone else would always stare,point ,and laugh at us until one day I was so fed up with the way that they treated us I just started cussing them out (loud enough for the teachers and other adults to hear me ) but I didn't end up getting into any sort of trouble for it instead every adult in the room just clapped and cheered me on
I think it’s great that the coach wanted to do something so special and opening the eyes of the players as they did the special olympics event. To continue on and start the lunch buddy idea and seeing how many of the guys now want to work with individuals with special needs is so awesome! To see the true value in every person and for them to know how special their buddies are is so beautiful to see. We are all the same and we all want human interaction and friendships and this shows you don’t have to be exactly the same to find friendship between each other.
I always say it. My football coach helped shape me into the man I am today ! And he saved life literally. I wouldn’t have never guessed football would have stayed with me forever. But everything I learned has !
I have a uncle who is 8 years older than me that has down syndrome & let me tell you , these people love whole heartedly . I went to his bowling group with him on Halloween of 2015 & people like my uncle are so cool , they welcome you into they’re group like your one of them not the other way around , you have no choice but to root them on no matter if they fail , my mother told me when I was very young that these kind of people are special & theyer GODS children & me growing up with my uncle in my family I couldn’t ask for a more perfect person in my life just because he has taught me how to be a better person .
That is an awesome service to open up your hearts to this class. Awwwwwwe soooo so heartwarming gesture.... thank you for your thoughtfulness and kind respect to these students.... your love will never fade in their memories.
Implementing a community service program was a great idea on the coaches behalf. Sounded like some of the players needed it. But other players seemed throughly excited about the program and I'm glad they enjoyed it and continued doing something to give back because they chose to, and not because they felt like they had to.
I literally started crying when Olivia told the football player she loved him and he said he loved her back ❤️😭
Man. With all the BS that we are enduring in America, I love seeing these videos. We all have it in us to be caring humans
Me too i cant stop crying its too cute!
Same 😭
I did too
I never did pick on special needs kids in my days
When I was a freshman in high school, the seniors and juniors that were in my school didn't care that I was a special needs student. All they saw was a shy girl in need of new friends. They sat with me at lunch every day and made me feel like family.
Aww that's so nice
Awww so sweet peace and love 🥺🥺💖💖
in uk schools you get bullied for being special needs lmao, except some groups, but it's mostly behind-the-back kind of chatter, not straight up bullying (this isnt america after all)
@@joopie46614 I understand this completely as a Mum who has a child with learning disabilities, she just wants to be friends with everyone but a lot of people either ignore her or pretend to be her friend. I'm also in the UK, I remember one time we were in a shop & a lad from her School was there with his friends he seen my daughter & went to hide, she thought he was playing he didn't realise I was with her but as soon as he did he was pretending he didn't notice her in the shop saying "oh I didn't see you hi" I just shook my head at him. I am trying to teach her not everyone is nice but once she meets a good friend she won't be bothered about the silly kids who ignore her, she is just too nice which I tried to shield her from things when she was younger but I realised that wasn't fair either as she would always be disappointed. I hope you are doing okay just ignore people like that as they aren't worth having someone as amazing as you as a friend, take care & stay strong.
@@joopie46614 tell the crew to roll up in the floating potato and smack em with your hamster so they get -10 health
As someone who's special needs sister passed away I am so touched by this video! 😊
im so sorry for your loss, i bet she was an angel
❤️❤️❤️
I'm so sorry for your loss my son was born with down syndrome and he passed away in nov of 2018
Stay strong buddy god loves her more
They are ANGELS WITHOUT WINGS HEROES WITHOUT CAPES 🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
More schools should do this
And teach kids that kindness is the way to earn respect and friendship
Not aggressiveness and inflicting fear
I agree,
That's right treat them with respect not acceptable to be rude to them and tease them kindness is the way to go
Please do not say the school, it is too easyn way too easy. It Is not the school but the people inside it that made it. Do not forget it is all about people, it's not a system that took care of her but a bunch of people. Please remember that, words are low key extremely important for whoever will have to read or hear you in the future. It's like you are contradicting yourself between what you are hoping for and what you are callign for. People care, the schools process.
I love how it went from mandatory to wanting to be with their buddy. This makes me feel that it is good in the world.
And the nice thing is these fine young men will likely remember this and pass this on to their children when they are older.
Not just for special needs , for all the lonely kids that stand alone!!!
@@CalTekagreed and championships and awards come and go but moments like these last a lifetime
@@CalTekI.m Watching a Football 🏈 game this weekend
I have a friend with autism. He was two years older than me. However, he was in the same grade as me, but in the special needs classes.
My mom made me be his friend in seventh grade, when kids made fun of other kids that weren’t “cool.”
At first, it sucked. But, it turned out that he was a very nice guy. He liked the same things that I liked. I was no longer embarrassed to be his friend.
He moved away when I was in 12th grade to live with his dad, as his dad lived near a high school with a solid special needs program. He told me that he would always be my friend and to keep in contact.
Well, years passed and life goes on. I went to college, graduate school, marriage, divorce, etc. I didn’t keep up with him as I promised I would.
Then, I had a life threatening emergency and was hospitalized. An unlikely friend showed up with his new wife (also autistic). He told me that he was there to be my friend and would be there for him as I was for him as a kid.
That brought tears to my eyes and I’ve never lost touch with him again. I know this is a long post. But, this video is very touching.
How are y'all doing now?
Your words are not too long, because they recognise the need for human kindness. 😊
I wish my school had had something like this when I was growing up. I'm a paraplegic confined to a wheelchair, and I was bullied quite a bit for it. I had certain friends who backed me up, but there were also a lot of people who really treated me very badly. Kudos to the coach for teaching these young men to be humble, and to help someone else in need.
😊
@John 3.16 🙏
I just couldn’t imagine how people can steep so low bullying someone in wheelchair?!?
@@juice7136 bullies often take whatever is bothering them and project it on someone they view as "weak" I was bullied once.
That wasn’t fair to you... I’m so sorry you had to deal with that. I was bullied too for being fat... and wouldn’t stick up for myself but if anyone had tried to mess with my friends, most of whom had a major disability I would protect them at all costs, most the time turning the attention of the bullies on myself. my best friend has cerebral palsy and doesn’t really have use of half her body and if she’s not in her wheelchair she has to crawl on her hands and knees, something very few of us have been allowed to see as she only does it in the comfort of her own home because her apartment isn’t wheelchair accessible. she has to get out at her front door and crawl up the 2 stairs dragging her chair. She’s an empath with major anxiety but you couldn’t meet a more loving and giving person. I met her because She sat behind me in a lecture and I was bawling in class one day, silently, but she noticed and tapped my shoulder and asked if I could help her to the bathroom. When we got outside she took us to a study table near by and told me to spill, we’d never really spoken before this except if she asked me to help her in or outta the room but so,etching about her made me start talking... I told her I had just gotten news from my doctor right before class that I had cancer, she could sense my panic and upset and got me outta that room. She then told me to go grab my stuff back at class (told, no nonsense, didn’t ask) and we walked to the school coffee shop and just talked. We’ve been best friends now for over 10 years, even though I had to move to Hawaii for my health, we still talk constantly. I would protect that girl with my life. I’m so happy you had friends who stood up for you. Had you been at my school, I can bet you I’d have stood up for you too. I hope things are a little better for you now. 💖
Sorry, that was long 🙈
when olivias hand was shaking and dillon grabbed it to calm her down and when he told her she was pretty and to be herself i broke down😭 that was the cutest thing ever
As a dad who has a special needs daughter, this made me cry a lot. 😭
This means ALOT to us parents of children with special needs, thank you guys so much 💛💙
Not special needs ever, just SPECIAL
I love how he just took Olivia's hand and told her everything is okay when she was nervous... My little sister had special needs and passed away when she was 12 during a brain surgery, so seeing people giving kids with special needs a hope and everything it's just... I love it...
Sorry for your loss
@@aprilbarnette7070 Thank you
I'm truly sorry for your loss. I know your little sister still feels your love. I'll bet she watches over you. May God bless you, your sister and your family. ❤️
as a mom with a special needs son it made me cry.
I have a special needs sister that is 10 years younger and I never got to go to school and protect her... this is beautiful ❤️ good job boys
I have an Autistic child. This is so sweet. My heart is SMILING! I think this helped everyone. God Bless these sweet people!
This coach is amazing. The students are amazing. Students across the country should take lessons. God bless these wonderful students/staff.
This should be a program in every school in America.
Compassion for others is a lesson and a gift, with which lives are improved.
“This should be a program in every school” like be fr
I wish more schools were like this. I remember that in middle school teachers, faculty, and students would do everything they could to be friends with kids who have special needs. But when I got to high school, I didn’t see any of that which was really sad to see.
We can make that happen. All we have to do is inspire more schools to be like this through carefully planned campaigns.
Same I have speacil needs
@@lathafalls7675well obviously u do spelling like that
You didn't use capitalization and said "U" which isn't a word and you didn't use punctuation either. Glass houses little bro.@@HateNation101
Teacher for special needs kids right here, and its such a beautiful thing to see. As teachers we truly want to make sure these kids feel safe and equally treated right in school, we wouldnt be able to pull our job at the best level if classmates weren't part of the equation. when we see their school peers become friends with them, understand them, make sure they can chase those sad bullies off ; it gives us yet another reason to make things always better for these kids at school.
This is what schools should be for. Teaching kids kindness and empathy. This is genuinely beautiful and we need more of this.
My Son is Autistic, he is a wonderful person. It would be nice for all schools to help kids feel as accepted as your students do! You are AMAZING!!
God bless them. Not all teenagers are selfish. Some are kind and decent with a good heart.
Those boys have become compassionate, emphatic men (and superheroes) thanks to their extraordinary coach and new found friends :) thank you!
A school creating some fine gentlemen that can hopefully remember this experience and pass it on to their children....so awesome to see this.
Aww when he said you so pretty melted my heart
This should have millions of viewers this is a happy sad God bless hope there's more schools to change like that
My son played football and always reached out to the kids eating alone in the lunchroom and invited them to the "Jock Table". Now he has a very special relationship with his special needs sister-in-law.
This Coach understands that Coaching is about making Men out of boys.
All Athletes should see this and do it!
My wife works with special needs children at a local high school and the athletes there do many activities with kids. It's great to see them caring about the kid not their perceived disabilities.
I'm a grandparent of a special needs grandson.....and he is the one always giving and loving....those who partner up in schools in programs like this one will benefit as much as the special needs child will, and they can learn just as much from them. special needs kids are not less or weaker, just different like we are all different and have different talents and gifts to share
In elementary school I made friends with a Clearly special needs girl
( ironically her sister and I have the same name) I invited her to my birthday , when she took the invitation home, her mom .are Acala to my mom, probably dreading when she did, because she wanted to make sure My mom knew that her daughter was Special needs. ( in other cases she had been " uninvited" when Parents found out) my mom said, " yeah, we know, we'd still love to have her". We went mini putting that year, it got to be too much for her so she and my dad sat under a Tree in the shade to watch us, and chat. She had a great time, cause she was included. Its all she talked about for days afterwards. Of course, every time she would see me at school she'd call my name and run towards me with her arms open for a Hug. Well years past, and then I ran into her as an adult. I wasn't sure she would remember me, but there, in the middle of the grocery store I hear my name called , in that special voice , and I look over to see her running towards me, with her arms out for a Hug, so I move my cart and brace myself for the impact, ( we were both older and um.. heavier than when we were kids) she still talked about my birthday party. I actually found her on Facebook and friended her.
I am now a mom to a Special needs 12 year old daughter, somehow I think the two are related ( in a good way)
bless your heart ma'am
So sweet! God bless you!
More coachrs like this are definitely needed
This should be in all schools
The thought that a school stepped up and Did something so great makes me cry because it reminds what I lost but won't get back. Thank you to those players and coaches .
Whatever u r doing at Emmaus High School, keep doing it!! Your young people are setting a very amazing example of kindness and humanity.I am very proud of you. Thank you for the remin-
der of selflessness and understanding. Best wishes from me in Canada.😊😊😊😊😋😋
That's what life is about. Love other people no matter what. Beautiful piece ❤. God Bless.
It cost so little to be kind to others, and the kindness you give to others, means the world to them. Love trumps hate
@Сергей Михайлюк hi
Now this is a coach. It makes a difference. Some coaches make excuses for his players violating our daughters and some make them be kind to special needs babies
I don't have a special needs kid... but this still pulls heart strings. Super proud of you young fellas. All these kids will enter adulthood as much more emotionally strengthened people
I love this because I can relate to what they are doing. Anytime I saw a special needs kid playing by themselves I would always go and sit by them or play with them. This has made me want to go into being a special needs teacher when I am older! Love this.❤️
when i was in kindergarten i had an autistic classmate and the whole class was always into doin stuff with him whenever he felt like it (it was a severe case and he was almost completely non verbal, so means to communicate were creative, but nobody ever gave up on including him any chance there was)and then in elementary school i befriended a classmate who ended up in a wheelchair after a car accident, he was plenty of fun to be around and i literally took it upon me to tell bullies to sod off on his behalf (for this and because sometimes they also made fun of where he came from), fast forward 20+ years later and I'm now a special ed teacher , i may have a call with it because my mother and aunt used to be as well but i think i'd have not picked the same career if it hadn't been for those two guys, i carry them in my mind any time i look at one of the kids at school who re like them and they guide my hand on the best choices to take for those i teach to.
This made me cry these people are so sweet and i need this because i lost friends and got bullied due to adhd
Thanks coach your truly a great man, and your players are real Angel's, your making a big difference. SJ
As someone who is special needs, I know and understand what it is like to be isolated in some cases, and it always makes me so proud and happy to see people doing this who are not special needs themselves.
I'm in floods of tears. How beautiful, wonderful and amazing is this! Many kids with disabilities are often locked down on and so see this is so joyfoul. Takes me back so my days at senior school where i used to chaperone a girl with disabilities and we used to throw a Christmas party for kids with downs and disabilities. To see the smiles on their faces was priceless. It also gave me so much satisfaction to bring some joy into their lives. All schools and colleges should do this.
What an amazing kids all of them!. God bless them all🙌
Tears of joy..of a mother of an autistic son...wish my school did this..those players don't realize just how special they are....God bless you all...and to the coach that inspired them....
Glad to see people with differences being treated with respect. I am an adult with autism that turns 40 this year, and wish there was this kind of program for me in high school. I would love a chance to mentor college students with autism and ensure that they have an even better college experience than I did, and mine was not half bad at all! Paying it forward! ❤️❤️❤️
Can we talk about how beautiful Olivia is omg ???
yes she is , very beautiful.
She needs to reveal her secret to keeping her hair that elegant I need to know these things!!!!!!
She has amazing hair
nope, i dont do pity compliments
@@michelerich1590 2 years later but dawg thats not a pity compliment her hair is actually so nice, i need tips on how it keeps the ends from splitting but still is flowing
Definitely agree this program should be in all schools.
Coaches like this are the leaders that we need today and are shaping the future of our youth to do better as a human race. Kudos Coach!
Omg that's made me cry cause I have high school daughter is with special needs..that's so sweet need more sweet kids like you..
Football players in high school are usually the toughest looking and acting people in the schools, for obvious reasons. It's a genius idea to make these kids help out those who may be targeted for being "weak." Showing even the big tough football players can have soft hearts. Every school in America should do this.
I have a special needs and I love watching videos so much
I don’t know how anyone could put their thumb down to this story... hats off to the coach for starting the program.
What a great coach and caring men, they will be forever changed and will care about all humans more. I had a hard time holding back the tears. SJ
We need more people like this.
This is nicest thing he did for her and I never thought they were going to this at school and I hopefully they have something in common as friends with each other
What the football players have done is amazing and humbleing. I had a brother with down syndrome and we attended HS together my friends would high five him all the time. He loved it. Keep on with the tradition ❤️🏈
This maid me cry and emotional at my highschool they never did this and I was a loner and was bullied because I was different and I have a disabilitie. But I'm glad that this highschool did this for people that have disabilitie. That they step out there own way to create this special bond.
Awe just seeing these Football player spend time with needs students is so amazing . You can tell these students really Appreciate especially Olivia .
The coach made good people better, adding morals, values, respect and being humble to his player's thumbs up sir
In high school I always made it a point to make sure that the special needs kids had someone to look up to, to have a shoulder to cry on and I would invite them to come sit with my group of friends at lunch. I even made it a point to stop by their class on the way to my classes and say hey and give knuckles, hugs and high fives to all the kids. I viewed myself as their big sister.
Everyone should be so lucky to have a great best friend like Olivia has! And that coach is a wonderful man for having his team help other students, those young fellows will be better men for having that experience.
I respect these young men; because I have a BFF that is special needs and this story made me think of my BFF
God bless you all what an amazing young men I have a special needs granddaughter is really affects how as parents and grandparents to know there's special people still in this world of uncertainty your coach is amazing also
With love and respect from
Grants Pass, Oregon
Great young men.
Oh!! This is so special! So sweet! God bless these young men!! ♥️♥️
That coach is incredible and those boys are amazing. I can't fathom how much of a difference they must have made.
I love this coach coming up with these program. Though at first I'm sure they was scared more then not want to do this but in the end they came to see what a life changing thing they've done.
God Bless everyone involved with this!!!!!!! Keep it going! Make it spread across the nation!!!!!!
I loved that no was left behind. I wish this would go in every school across the country. They formed special bonds that I'm sure will never break. The football player that said he loved Olivia had me crying. If anyone took anything from this is it is that they are compassionate towards special needs people.
I love these football players spending time with their classmates. They were so kind & caring to their friends. True friendship to special classmates.
Unconditional love can change anyone and special needs children always give freely love to all, way to go coach and players you will be forever changed. Love you Olivia. SJ
We are community. We are stronger when we embrace everyone. This is unconditional love.
Thank you! When you are healthy you take it for granted! When you are challenged child! All schools should remember and encourage great moments like these!
What great young men, young people get such bad press, but I often see acts of kindness, we tend to shine the light on the negative. Great work by all, great initiative.
Now thats humanity! I love this. Special needs people should always be treated with love and respect because there are human too with feelings.
Awesome! Jocks can be good guys & girls - reach out, & reach up with a good heart. Be there for others not just a sport.
GOD BLESS the coach for teaching kindness & generosity.
Those kids are what this company needs...they are truly amazing heroes
One of my neighbors is a special needs kid and he’s amazing. I don’t know the name of anything going on but he’s very friendly, everyone loves him and he’s our football team’s manager!
(P.S. his younger brother is a GIANT)
I hatedddd playin them in high school but y’all out here raising incredible young men! Well done coach
I love this story. There is no segregation there's only unity. AWESOME
we need this coach go to all schools to teach this kindness and love
I so wish every school did this. I was the only student that helped students with special needs. There are good teens in this world. ❤
Amazing lads. In this day and age it is good to see these young men go above and beyond to include not exclude someonw because they may be a bit different.
Love this...This is what needs to be shown on the news all the time.
Why did this make me cry? Man, gave me the feels. It's wonderful see young people caring and being gentle and kind; now they can take these lessons out into the world with them.
This should not be news. It should just happen everywhere.
What a great coach, he's made a change in these kid's hearts. Kindness, caring, thoughtfulness, friendships etc.. this is what most parents want their kids to get from orgamized sports.
This is awesome. I'd love to see this program grow. When I was in HS we didn't have anything like this.
It's great for the "different" friends, to have more confidence, to feel the kindness too. And for the players, to know their situation, to feel what they didn't feel. Both of them must be grateful, it's rare in Asia with their habitual with background culture & history. Especially to think these players have popularity because of their sports & many girls willing to cat-fight to get them.
I cried so hard when watching this, these lads are golden. Respect is everything ❤
It matters. Having heart is never something to regret.
As an old woman who was born with special needs I always sat with the rest of the special needs kids during lunch especially in high school and of course everyone else would always stare,point ,and laugh at us until one day I was so fed up with the way that they treated us I just started cussing them out (loud enough for the teachers and other adults to hear me ) but I didn't end up getting into any sort of trouble for it instead every adult in the room just clapped and cheered me on
I think it’s great that the coach wanted to do something so special and opening the eyes of the players as they did the special olympics event. To continue on and start the lunch buddy idea and seeing how many of the guys now want to work with individuals with special needs is so awesome! To see the true value in every person and for them to know how special their buddies are is so beautiful to see. We are all the same and we all want human interaction and friendships and this shows you don’t have to be exactly the same to find friendship between each other.
I always say it. My football coach helped shape me into the man I am today ! And he saved life literally. I wouldn’t have never guessed football would have stayed with me forever. But everything I learned has !
Their parents should be proud
Great job guys you are making a difference. Keep it up and that's also awesome that these guys want to work with special needs after college.
I have a uncle who is 8 years older than me that has down syndrome & let me tell you , these people love whole heartedly . I went to his bowling group with him on Halloween of 2015 & people like my uncle are so cool , they welcome you into they’re group like your one of them not the other way around , you have no choice but to root them on no matter if they fail , my mother told me when I was very young that these kind of people are special & theyer GODS children & me growing up with my uncle in my family I couldn’t ask for a more perfect person in my life just because he has taught me how to be a better person .
That is an awesome service to open up your hearts to this class. Awwwwwwe soooo so heartwarming gesture.... thank you for your thoughtfulness and kind respect to these students.... your love will never fade in their memories.
Implementing a community service program was a great idea on the coaches behalf. Sounded like some of the players needed it. But other players seemed throughly excited about the program and I'm glad they enjoyed it and continued doing something to give back because they chose to, and not because they felt like they had to.