The best friendships are often the ones that make friends feel like family. When Parker met the Tufts soccer team, he had never really had a team of his own before. Quickly, the Jumbos all began to feel like more than teammates to Parker—they began to feel like brothers.
“Parker would say after each game and with each new experience, ‘This was the best day of my life!’” Parker’s parents, Donna and Brian, said. “He loved feeling a part of the team and became more comfortable as the season progressed. By the last game, he was able to feel the highs of winning and the lows of losing. He cried, he danced, and he celebrated.”
When Parker heard about the Teammate of the Year campaign, he wanted to nominate his entire team. But one teammate stuck out in Parker’s head as the one he got particularly close with: his friend, James. “James suffered a season-ending injury before the season even started. Instead of feeling sorry for himself, he stepped up and became our go-to point of contact so that Parker could meet up with the team before every game to experience the locker room camaraderie, something Parker has never had,” Donna and Brian said. “James met him each day with a smile and kindness.”
While recovering from his injury, James watched games and practices with Parker and brought him into the locker room. He listened to Parker and took time to understand the things he likes and dislikes so that Parker would always be comfortable with the Jumbos. “James developed a relationship with Parker where Parker felt like he was a brother,” Donna and Brian said. “Parker feels this way about all of the team, not just James or the Team IMPACT leaders; however, James had the patience of a saint with Parker and with us as we made sure Parker’s anxiety was kept on the low side. Parker struggles in social situations, reading the room and high anxiety especially in new situations. James learned this about Parker and made sure he was comfortable and included. Parker loved being able to go into the locker room before and after games, especially when celebrating a win!”
Like many best friends, Parker and James bonded over their shared love of snacks. “James always has A LOT of snacks in his pockets and coat pockets,” Donna and Brian said. “They would often be in the middle of a game, and James would reach into his pockets and pull out random snacks (often!).” Brian and Donna have loved seeing the smile on their son’s face and hearing his giggles every time James is around. “[Our favorite parts are] feeling included and watching Parker smile when he’s with James,” they said. “James kids around with him like a big brother would, and Parker loves it!”
In addition to the fun and silliness of their friendship, both Parker and James have gained so much more since they came into each other’s lives. “Parker has grown so much in his sense of belonging,” Donna and Brian said. “He has never been part of a group or team. It has given him more confidence and a real sense of pride which has helped his self-esteem immensely.”
Donna and Brian know that Parker and James’ friendship is one that ripples past the soccer field through every part of Parker’s life. The Jumbos soccer team gave Parker an extended family who will keep him smiling and giggling and always have his back. “James has truly made an impact in Parker’s life. Parker considers James and the whole team his brothers.”
