| One of the biggest problems for people with disabilities, | | | | swap. |
| particularly those with a learning disability like autism is | | | | The first few serves were okay although he did get hit |
| the limited opportunity for social inclusion. People don't | | | | in the face with a speeding shuttlecock but shortly |
| always appreciate how capable they are, and despite | | | | afterwards he lost it. No sooner had he walked across |
| having autism I've always known my son was very | | | | to where his partner had told him to stand than he had |
| clever. Last night he proved it. | | | | to move back again. When she gently tried to guide |
| I decided that at the age of eighteen my son ought to | | | | him to where he needed to stand, he lashed out and |
| be "out there", doing things his peers might, so last night | | | | hit her on the arm. |
| I took him along to the local badminton club. | | | | He's a big lad and very strong. I felt mortified. I rushed |
| I was a bit apprehensive because there are clubs and | | | | around the net to him apologising profusely to his |
| there are "clubs" - you know, those cliquey places | | | | partner as I went just in time to stop him from tipping |
| where the members are seriously competitive and | | | | the whole net over. |
| never seem to enjoy themselves unless they are | | | | He was not impressed and I had visions of us being |
| winning. | | | | banished before we'd ever really got started. |
| My son doesn't understand competition. Neither does | | | | However, he soon calmed down and stroked his |
| he understand the rules of badminton, i.e. how to score, | | | | partner's arm saying "Sorry". |
| which side of the court to stand or when. All he knows | | | | She was just wonderful and despite the huge red |
| is when playing badminton he stands one side of the | | | | handprint on her arm kept reassuring me it was alright. |
| net, usually more towards the right hand side; his | | | | It appears she worked in the "community", whatever |
| opponent stands opposite and they take turns to hit | | | | that means. I just know I was extremely grateful for |
| the shuttlecock to each other. | | | | her understanding. |
| This doesn't usually require a lot of movement - at | | | | After that we played three more matches but no-one |
| least on his behalf because he has very good eye | | | | asked or expected Jodi to swap sides so I guess |
| hand co-ordination and long arms, so last night's | | | | word must have got round. |
| experience was totally new to him. | | | | I did suggest to him at one stage that he should "move |
| It started off well enough. The club was more of a | | | | his feet" and he responded immediately with a shoe |
| social enterprise and everyone seemed very friendly | | | | shuffle the like of which the penguin in Happy Feet |
| and accepting. I explained to anyone who would listen | | | | would have been proud. It wasn't quite what I'd had in |
| about his autism, and that he didn't really speak. I didn't | | | | mind though. |
| want them to think he was being rude if he ignored | | | | Still, everyone was very impressed with Jodi and whilst |
| their attempts at conversation. | | | | he didn't physically move around the court very much, |
| There were five courts, four players on each and | | | | he rarely ever missed a shot. He didn't even appear to |
| several others waiting in the wings ready to play when | | | | be watching the game either. He'd just raise his |
| the opportunity arose. We got on court almost | | | | racquet and swing. |
| immediately and our first partners, a male and a | | | | Often he casually had one hand on his hip as if to say |
| female just knocked up with us. This was fine, as | | | | "Why am I waiting?" or his finger in his right ear to shut |
| apart from there being four players instead of two; it | | | | out the noise echoing around the high ceiling sports hall, |
| was what Jodi was used to. | | | | which did make things a bit awkward since he is right |
| The second "match" was a bit more eventful. Again a | | | | handed. Still it didn't appear to affect his ability to |
| male and female partnered us, but these were | | | | connect to the flying plastic missile. |
| obviously a bit more serious and wanted to play a | | | | One player suggested I get some earplugs for him to |
| proper game. | | | | wear to shut out the noise and I may just do that |
| I explained to Jodi's partner that whilst he could hit the | | | | when we go next week. Yes, we have been invited |
| shuttlecock, he didn't understand the rules or that the | | | | to go again! |
| idea was to win. Since I didn't feel she had any chance | | | | So now I suppose you want to know why I think my |
| of being on the winning side I asked if she would like | | | | son was very clever last night, don't you? Well, this |
| me to play with my son. | | | | morning I can hardly move. All that running around and |
| She assured me it was fine, and we'd just play and | | | | swapping sides has taken it's toll and my body aches |
| see how things turned out. | | | | in places I didn't even know I had muscles. |
| It started off well but then Jodi got really confused | | | | Jodi, however, is as fresh as a daisy - Guess who's |
| because you have to keep swapping sides when you | | | | the intelligent one? |
| serve. This means of course your partner also has to | | | | |