LEWIS CENTER, Ohio — It’s photo shoot time for Westerville native Aaron Maderia and his twin 9-year-old sons William and Mason.
Olentangy High School’s BRAVElife Camp is something the entire family looks forward to each year.
“Organizations like this just give these kids an opportunity to feel that same feeling than a typical kid would get, and it gives parents like myself the feeling that the whole community truly cares about my kids as much as I do,” said Maderia.
Willam and Mason have fragile X syndrome, a genetic condition that causes a range of learning, speech and behavioral challenges.
“It’s considered an intellectual disability, and it comes along with some social anxieties as well. Researchers say selective mutism is one of the leading links with autism. And so they have to work a lot harder than other kids, but they are hard workers,” said Maderia.
Especially out in the football field, having the time of their lives with everything from passing accuracy skills to end zone touchdown dances.
Student-athletes and coach organizers said the nearly 30 kids that took part this year is a welcome sight and they hope to continue the tradition each summer.
“Sometimes you take some stuff for granted as football players. But they don’t ever know if they’ll be able to play football for the Olentangy Braves. But we want to make them a part of our program for a day and make them feel like an Olentangy Brave,” said Olentangy Senior Kicker Hayden Olcott.
“Football provides so many opportunities. It’s a platform to teach so many kids life lessons that go beyond the classroom,” said Head Football Coach Mark Solis.
For participants in the BRAVElife Camp, they said it gives them acceptance from the community, a boost of confidence and memories to last a lifetime.
“I think they absolutely love it, and they love to see these guys cheering them on as they go. It’s one of the most meaningful things that we do each year and we will never miss it. We will always be part of BRAVElife as long as the boys are interested,” said Maderia.
For more information about the BRAVElife camp, click here.
