08/01/2023
A touching testimonial of what the National Archery in the Schools Programs has done for this family. Truly, a must read!
Good Afternoon, Mr. Dixon,
After we spoke at Nationals, you asked me to send you a "replay" of sorts, of our conversation regarding my very strong positive feelings toward the equalizing and inclusive nature of the NASP program, and how much it has done for my sons, in particular.
I apologize for getting this to you so much delayed... it's been a bit chaotic since Nationals!
The boys had a substantial amount of medical testing, appointments, etc., almost immediately after Nationals. Then my son, Sidney, (a.k.a. "Sidney Australia") was granted a wish by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which we took the week of Memorial Day (the ENTIRE Disney experience!) Long story short, I started an email to you but never completed the task!
I'll give you the synopsis, then include additional background details that will reinforce the strength of my feelings and involvement with NASP.
In a nutshell, NASP makes it possible for children who may never feel successful in traditional sports to not only feel that success, but to actually find a lasting network of family/support/and encouragement. Both of my sons deal daily with multiple emotional, physical & developmental challenges. Their NASP "family" has accepted them for just exactly who they are. Both boys on various occasions have commented that archery is one of the few places where they feel "normal.”
Sidney began experiencing a period of severe regression 2 years ago. His NASP teammates, of course, noticed that he was struggling, and quickly rallied around him. When he was diagnosed with dementia, the entire team felt the blow. He is included in not only NASP related activities, but personal get-togethers as well. Sidney is very much a part of his NASP family. That IS NASP....good sportsmanship, team support, friendship & fellowship among EVERYONE!
I have been involved with NASP for 5 years now. Our middle son, Charlie, died the summer before NASP was introduced to our school, and Sidney, (a.k.a "Sidney Australia") our oldest, was becoming more and more withdrawn. The SRO, Officer Scott Reed, started a NASP team at the school, and I signed Sidney up to participate. Our sons joined our family through adoption, and joining our family was the 13th disruption Sidney had experienced -- and he was only 8 years-old. Sidney was very much delayed both physically, developmentally, & emotionally. He had extreme difficulty associating & interacting with his peers.
We tried traditional sports, but he did not feel successful. From day one, however, he LOVED archery. He felt like he fit in. He felt like he was "finally good at something!" He's never looked back! And I've been on my soapbox ever since! I was a parent volunteer that year, and have been actively involved since then.
Two years on the team in elementary school and we were ALL hooked! Unfortunately, despite our best attempts, we were unable to get a faculty sponsor to begin a team at the middle school level for Sidney's 6th grade year. I continued to help Officer Reed with the elementary school team, since Wiley, my youngest, (a.k.a "Boots") was finally old enough to join that team. That year, in speaking with another parent who just so happened to be employed by the School Board with her office located at the middle school, we worked out an arrangement for the following year. She would be the faculty sponsor & coach if I agreed to help with the team.
The next year I helped with BOTH teams....elementary AND middle. I also became a certified Basic Archery Instructor that year. This past school year (2014-2015) I was able to find a faculty sponsor at Sidney's high school and signed as head coach for a high school team. This allowed Sidney, and others from surrounding middle schools, to continue the NASP experience.
This is important to me for a multitude of reasons, not the least of which is the pleasure of seeing students from all walks of life FINALLY realize that they truly do have potential!
For my sons, some special arrangements are made at each competition. Wiley, due largely to tremors, but also to other emotional issues, always has an official mark his shooting partner's score card. He is afraid of "messing it up" and wants to be sure his partner gets full credit for their efforts! Sidney also, because of the dementia, has an official mark his partner's card. Never have either of my sons been made to feel inferior, by officials OR shooting partners, for having these arrangements. In fact, they've been thanked for their concern for the other archers.
THAT IS NASP, in my opinion: A growing community of individuals with a sincere love of the sport, learning and developing in a safe and encouraging environment; a place where anyone from any background, social class or situation can feel welcomed, appreciated and just SEEN.... not invisible anymore!
The teams I have worked with have ALL had several students with varying struggles including autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, PTSD, hyper-activity, learning disorders, speech impediments...and a vast array of other struggles that, in the past, have kept them isolated and uninvolved in social situations. My greatest thrill from my participation in NASP has come from seeing those archers learn to love and value themselves JUST THE WAY THEY ARE, and in seeing their teammates learn to do the same!
That's my soapbox message. That's my absolute commitment to NASP. That's just the plain truth of the matter -- NASP is all-inclusive. You don't have to be the biggest, strongest, fastest athlete...you just have to have heart and a willingness to try. With those ingredients, and a coach who cares (which I've found to be the case with all the coaches I've worked with) you WILL find success, and you will find a "home", and a safe place to chase - and catch - dreams!
Thanks you for your part in making this happen for so many boys and girls who were afraid to dream before of truly being included! NASP is not just a sports program, it's a lifeline for more children than you are perhaps aware of. Thanks again...and thanks for taking the time at Nationals to have such a fun conversation with my boys....they felt special and honored!
From a grateful parent - and an excited & dedicated coach,
Carol Sandstrom
Assistant Coach at Whitworth-Buchanan Middle School (Murfreesboro, TN)
Head Coach at Riverdale High School (Murfreesboro, TN)
