Bedfordview’s Jason ready to take on National Championships for Physically Disabled
Jason was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy when he was only six months old.
After bursting into the Gauteng team for the physically disabled, a budding soccer talent from Bedfordview has shown that no obstacle is insurmountable as he readies to compete at the 2019 National Championships for the Physically Disabled.
Also read: Edenvale Panthers to take 2019 head on
The championships will be held in Stellenbosch from March 15 to 21.
Jason Smith (15), who attends Oak House Vocational Academy, a special needs school based in Kensington, showed his mantle at the 2018 National School Summer Championships hosted at Mark’s Park in December, to earn himself a spot in the provincial disabled side as well as the colours to show for it.
Jason was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and epilepsy when he was only six months old.
This did little to slow him down as at the beginning of 2018 he enrolled at the Cerebral Palsy (CP) Soccer Club in Johannesburg.
He has flourished since as his passion for football, according to his mother, continues to make a marked difference in his life.
“At least now he has something to take ownership of,” said Jennie Smith, Jason’s mother.
She said the road hasn’t been an easy one given her son’s condition.
“It’s been an emotional roller coaster. Once you think you have the answers, new things crop up,” said Smith.
“After Jason was born, I had to resign at the end of my maternity leave because I realised then that this was a full-time job. It hasn’t been easy, but has nonetheless been a very rewarding experience for us.”
An excited Jason said he is pleasantly surprised at what he’s been able to achieve and looks forward to even more success.
“I didn’t vision myself coming this far,” said Jason.
“Since attending Oak House, all I’ve done is follow my favourite soccer player, Mohamed Salah, and think about what he would’ve done when he started playing soccer for his school. My hope is to one day follow in his footsteps.”
Jason added that he is very excited about the upcoming tournament in Stellenbosch and hopes it will give him yet another opportunity to make good on his dream of one day playing for the national team, among other things.
“I’ve been dreaming of it since I started going to Oak House. Once I announced to the school that I’m going to Stellenbosch in March, everyone told me how good I would do and said they were very excited for me.”
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