Power soccer opens world to wheelchair-bound Watsonville boy

WATSONVILLE - At brother Freddy's seventh birthday party earlier this month, Carlos Vazquez left the table and headed out to the deck to mingle with guests - a simple social interaction most people take for granted.

But Carlos was born with cerebral palsy and until he obtained a power wheelchair about 16 months ago, the 10-year-old Alianza Charter School fifth-grader lived life in park unless someone came along to give him a push.

Since then Carlos has gained an independence he and his family only dreamed about, most recently joining the Hollister Free Wheelers, a power soccer team. Now he's envisioning winning a spot on the national team someday, competing globally. But first, if he can raise the funds, Carlos hopes to go to Minnesota with his team in June for a national tournament.

"I love it, the experience of power chair soccer," said Carlos, flinging his arms wide and grinning. "I love my team. My team is awesome."

Veronica Aguilar, who teaches seventh- and eighth-graders at Alianza, never imagined she'd be a soccer mom. She's amazed at how her son has grown since community donations enabled the family to acquire the power chair in 2009. Carlos lacks the motor control to manipulate a manual wheelchair, but he easily maneuvers his joystick-controlled power chair.

Aguilar said Carlos is participating more fully in school activities, no longer needing an aide to hang out on the playground with friends. He just returned from science camp, and, if the family goes to the store, he takes off to check out the music aisle.

"Our goal as a family is to make him the best person he can be, to give him the best life he can have, a quote normal life," Aguilar said.

"I am normal," interjected Carlos, a lanky boy with longish dark hair.

A normal middle-schooler, agreed Aguilar, who once thought she wouldn't have to deal with a youngster's lunge toward freedom but has had to impose limits on his travel. He thinks he's ready to go to a restaurant by himself. Aguilar thinks not.

"We have had to discipline him for taking off," she said.

That's hasn't stopped Carlos' imagination from roaming. He hopes to visit Puerto Rico and Cuba someday.

"The beach," he explained when asked about his choice of destinations.

He's also looking forward to traveling to Minneapolis to compete with his team in the national tournament.

"I want to hear the fans cheering," he said. "I hope there's lots of them."

Power soccer is the only sport designed for power wheelchair users. Teams play, four to a side, on indoor basketball courts, and players use bumpers attached to their chairs to move the ball.

The Hollister team is in its 14th season. Its 12 members range in age from 10 to 31.

"The sport promotes self confidence, independence and team camaraderie," said coach Don Jones. "It's nice to be able to provide that opportunity."

Source: http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ci_17960841