I’ve talked about it many times before, so much so that those of you who regularly read these posts know exactly what I’m going to mention next. Yet, I have to ask for you to cut me some slack because for this certain occasion, it really is applicable.
So here we go again. Obviously, I found renewed hope in my condition through sports but it wasn’t an accident. It was quite the opposite as I was on the verge of giving hopelessly into my condition. Not too sure where that road would have led me, but it definitely would not be where I am today. Yet, it was one article… well actually maybe two, but they were on the same subject…. That totally transformed my outlook on my disease, the life I was living, and where to go from where I was. That article centered around professional soccer player Darren Fletcher (currently playing for West Bromwich Albion). For those of you who haven’t heard me ramble before, Darren has/had ulcerative colitis (the disease I have). I say had because his got so bad that he needed surgery. Now, the inspiration behind Darren Fletcher is that he didn’t let his UC get in the way of his professional career until it got progressively worse and he required surgery. Once he got the surgery, he returned to professional sports and still plays today. Truly the story of someone who didn’t give up. (For full article check it out here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2870580/Darren-Fletcher-crippling-illness-couldn-t-meal-watch-kids-play-football-went-feeling-invincible-told-game-over.html)
Anyway, it wasn’t Darren’s return to soccer that inspired me but rather when he said (and I’m paraphrasing here) that “soccer was the only time that he felt normal” and basically it was one of the few times the disease didn’t take front and center. This was something I could not ignore and since that day, I have come leaps and bounds from where I was. Soccer has taken me from a fragile man who was stuck in his mother’s basement, to a confident person who could get on the bus to school, go to job interviews, get married, and push the boundaries and limits of the disease I was faced with. I honestly would not be where I am without sport. And while it has given me the courage to start this site, I set out with a goal of changing the lives of others effected by disease just as the Darren Fletcher interview changed my outlook. I have come to a point where I am encouraged to take a more active role and “lead by example” but I can’t do it alone, so I am looking for help.
The first, and most obvious, question is “how are you going to get further involved?” Well here it is. The official announcement and first statement regarding it. I am starting a Soccer Club/Team. However, this is not just a local soccer club that plays in the Sunday night Men’s league. This is a Soccer Club that I have high hopes for; one that I wish to be fairly competitive. The goal of the Club is to raise awareness for chronic disease and help spread the message of the benefits of sport in the maintenance and battle against chronic disease. I have the vision of a team competing at a fairly high level (as high as we are capable of holding), while being outspoken about fighting against chronic diseases (Crohn’s, Colitis, whatever you are fighting back against), and doing what we can out in the community to help others. I want to set up a team of role models. A team that kids can look up to, one to give them hope just as I needed hope (as an adult) in order to fight back against my own disease. And I need help doing it.
I am asking for anyone interested, no you do not need to have a chronic disease, merely some skill and a desire to win, while wanting to help inspire others. To start, I will be focusing on creating a team and depending on the interest, I would be open to also creating both a Women’s and Co-Ed team as well. Whatever it takes to get the message out there! Currently, I am looking for players in every position and am hoping to get some field time for the end of September, early October to hold a practice/try outs. A little information that I currently have is that I do want people who are willing to show up to a practice at least once a week, plus a game once a week during the summer months. I have not looked into any travelling tournaments, but would like to attend at least one big tournament if able to once a season to begin. This team is aimed at being competitive, but I will not turn anyone away that wants to help (even if that role is beyond playing on the field – i.e. trainer, help with practice, etc etc). For more information, please email me at mike.short22@gmail.com or message me through the site or it’s social media. More information will be available as I become aware of it. This will hopefully be the start of something big!!