When Stephen Leo speaks of his two sons, ages 10 and eight, who both have the same debilitating genetic disorder, he speaks of restoring some sense of normalcy to their lives.
Since both his sons love sports yet are restricted by their wheelchairs, Leo wants to form a power wheelchair football program for area children.
"They want to compete. Maybe they can score a touchdown and maybe not but they understand the concept and want to compete in a sport," said Leo.
His sons were diagnosed with Ataxia Telangiectasia (AT) at ages two and three. One aspect of the degenerative genetic disorder is that it affects fine motor movement. Gradually over the years, the boys’ conditions deteriorated to the point where they required wheelchairs for mobility.
However, when they play sports they get to experience the same feelings all children do, said their father.
Leo said his sons go through the feelings of elation and disappointment that are part of any athletic experience, using one son’s bowling excursion as an example.
"He bowled over a 100 and he was so happy. Then the next time he bowled a 60 and was pouty and I said, ‘That’s sports,’" said Leo.
"But he had the feeling we all had. He experienced what happens [because with sports] you don’t win all the time. It’s a normal feeling kids go through."
To perpetuate these feelings that competition brings out and because his sons enjoy the sport, Leo wants to form the "power football team." Leo’s sons currently participate in the Closter Recreation Challenger Program for differently abled children, but he said there are not many other children who are in wheelchairs. He wants word to spread to other towns.
"Maybe someone will tell someone else who knows someone in the area and [it will spread by] word of mouth," said Leo.
Jim Oettinger of Closter Recreation said the Closter Recreation Commission and the Closter Coach’s Association are "behind [Leo’s] efforts 100 percent."
For a registration fee of $25, children can participate in the football program from April to June as another option offered by the Challenger Program.
"All we need to get it started is the kids," said Oettinger.
Parents who are interested in registering their children for the power wheelchair program should e-mail Oettinger at Closterrecjim@aol.com.
