{"id":147374,"date":"2019-03-21T09:01:04","date_gmt":"2019-03-21T13:01:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=147374"},"modified":"2019-09-24T12:12:55","modified_gmt":"2019-09-24T16:12:55","slug":"team-impact-winning-way-heal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2019\/03\/team-impact-winning-way-heal\/","title":{"rendered":"Team IMPACT: A Winning Way to Heal"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019ve been watching Dan Hurley\u2019s Huskies play at home this season, you may have caught glimpses of a towheaded youngster shooting baskets with the players during warm-ups, giving them high-fives as they returned to the court after half-time, or exchanging an ‘air handshake’ with players on the bench each time one of the team scored a three-pointer. His name is Rylan Ellingwood, and he\u2019s one of the team.<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s Basketball fans who came to First Night, the official opening of basketball season, were introduced not only to the new student-athletes on their favorite team, but also to a little girl with some nifty dance moves. As six-year-old Daniela Ciriello stood on the court with Head Coach Geno Auriemma (and alongside Rylan and Coach Hurley), she endeared herself to the crowd and her new teammates by demonstrating a leg lift in a made-for-Instagram moment.<\/p>\n

And for two seasons, 15-year-old Maddox Bruening has sat on the bench at almost every UConn Men\u2019s Soccer home game, also joining the team for workouts, practices, and team meals, and just to hang out, united by a common passion for sports.<\/p>\n

Rylan, Daniela, and Maddox are part of Team IMPACT<\/a>, a national nonprofit that connects children ages 5 to 16 facing serious and chronic illnesses with college athletic teams. For the children and their families, involvement with the teams provides a welcome distraction from their daily struggles.<\/p>\n

\u2018Rylan Gives Us Hope\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

When Rylan is with the Men\u2019s Basketball team, he\u2019s a bundle of energy. The casual observer would be hard put to realize he has an autoimmune disorder that makes him vulnerable to ailments other kids would quickly shake off \u2013 a cold will turn into pneumonia \u2013 so he doesn\u2019t go to birthday parties during flu season, must cancel play dates if the friend has a cold, and wears mittens when he\u2019s out shopping.<\/p>\n

When he was eight months old, an immunologist at Connecticut Children\u2019s Medical Center discovered Rylan\u2019s blood was missing B cells, meaning his immune system has no memory cells. His body showed no sign of the childhood immunizations he had received.<\/p>\n

Now age six, Rylan, who lives in Ellington, Connecticut, returns every four weeks to Connecticut Children\u2019s for an infusion drawn from the blood plasma of 100 different donors that confers their immunity on him. The infusion takes 13 hours to complete, and the effects only last a few weeks before Rylan gets cranky, his muscles get sore, and he becomes susceptible to infection again.<\/p>\n

By the time Rylan was 5, he was scared of the infusion. \u201cHe hated it,\u201d says his mom, Tanya. “He wouldn\u2019t get in the car. He would scream, cry, kick, bite, scratch his way out. It would take five nurses to hold him down just to get the IV into him.\u201d<\/p>\n

But then Rylan\u2019s longtime infusion nurse introduced him to Abigail Brouker, a Team IMPACT kid matched with the UConn Softball team, who was being treated next door. Rylan was so engrossed in Abigail\u2019s story, he didn\u2019t even notice that his dreaded infusion was already underway.<\/p>\n

The program matched him with UConn Men\u2019s Basketball \u2013 his favorite sport. It was a hit from the get-go. In the beginning, a few of the guys played basketball with him, lifting him up to make slam dunks. \u201cWhen we left,\u201d says Tanya, \u201che was beaming from ear to ear, he was so happy. I don\u2019t get to see him like that a whole lot.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Rylan<\/a>
Rylan demonstrates his ball handling skills to members of the Men's Basketball team, at First Night, on Oct. 12, 2018. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)<\/div>
SteveSlade_rylan-15<\/div>
Rylan demonstrates his ball handling skills to members of the Men's Basketball team, at First Night, on Oct. 12, 2018. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)<\/div><\/div>\"Head<\/a>
Head Coach Dan Hurley engages Rylan in conversation on the court at Gampel Pavilion during First Night on Oct. 12, 2018. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)<\/div>
SteveSlade_rylan-5<\/div>
Head Coach Dan Hurley engages Rylan in conversation on the court at Gampel Pavilion during First Night on Oct. 12, 2018. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)<\/div><\/div>\"Mamadou<\/a>
Mamadou Diarra helps Rylan reach the basket on the practice court at the Werth Family Basketball Champions Center, as Eric Cobb looks on, and Alterique Gilbert, far left, snaps a photo. (UConn Men's Basketball Photo)<\/div>
Rylan4_IMG_7813<\/div>
Mamadou Diarra helps Rylan reach the basket on the practice court at the Werth Family Basketball Champions Center, as Eric Cobb looks on, and Alterique Gilbert, far left, snaps a photo. (UConn Men's Basketball Photo)<\/div><\/div>\"Alterique<\/a>
Alterique Gilbert encourages Rylan as he warms up on the practice court at the Werth Family Basketball Champions Center. Rylan is wearing a jersey with Mamadou Diarra's number, 21. (UConn Men's Basketball Photo)<\/div>
Rylan7_4EE3120E-B353-4185-A83B-1DD095D729BC<\/div>
Alterique Gilbert encourages Rylan as he warms up on the practice court at the Werth Family Basketball Champions Center. Rylan is wearing a jersey with Mamadou Diarra's number, 21. (UConn Men's Basketball Photo)<\/div><\/div>\"Rylan<\/a>
Rylan takes a shot on the practice court at the Werth Family Basketball Champions Center, as Taliek Brown, director of student-athlete development, looks on. (UConn Men's Basketball Photo)<\/div>
Rylan17_3204DF92-71A9-4985-8F4A-7E123409E3B3<\/div>
Rylan takes a shot on the practice court at the Werth Family Basketball Champions Center, as Taliek Brown, director of student-athlete development, looks on. (UConn Men's Basketball Photo)<\/div><\/div>\"After<\/a>
After Rylan admires Alterique Gilbert's sneakers, Al searches on the internet for the same pair in Rylan's size, on one of his first days with the Men's Basketball team. (Jason Reider\/Athletic Marketing Photo)<\/div>
Rylan99_IMG_7937<\/div>
After Rylan admires Alterique Gilbert's sneakers, Al searches on the internet for the same pair in Rylan's size, on one of his first days with the Men's Basketball team. (Jason Reider\/Athletic Marketing Photo)<\/div><\/div>\"Rylan<\/a>
Rylan participates in a photo shoot with, from left, Jalen Adams, Mamadou Diarra, and Alterique Gilbert. (Jason Reider\/Athletic Marketing Photo)<\/div>
Rylan8_IMG_7936<\/div>
Rylan participates in a photo shoot with, from left, Jalen Adams, Mamadou Diarra, and Alterique Gilbert. (Jason Reider\/Athletic Marketing Photo)<\/div><\/div>\"Jalen<\/a>
Jalen Adams, left, gets Rylan pumped up, as Mamadou Diarra, center, and Sidney Wilson look on. Rylan has Alterique Gilbert's number, 3, shaved into his hair.<\/div>
Rylan12_8D68C42F-6166-4E3B-AB48-5AFC52CF484C<\/div>
Jalen Adams, left, gets Rylan pumped up, as Mamadou Diarra, center, and Sidney Wilson look on. Rylan has Alterique Gilbert's number, 3, shaved into his hair.<\/div><\/div>\"Mamadou<\/a>
Mamadou Diarra speaks with Rylan on the court at the XL Center. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)<\/div>
SteveSlade_rylan-1<\/div>
Mamadou Diarra speaks with Rylan on the court at the XL Center. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)<\/div><\/div>\"Rylan<\/a>
Rylan Ellingwood and Alterique Gilbert exchange a handshake and a few words at the XL Center. Al was unable to play at that time because of a shoulder injury. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)<\/div>
SteveSlade_rylan-12<\/div>
Rylan Ellingwood and Alterique Gilbert exchange a handshake and a few words at the XL Center. Al was unable to play at that time because of a shoulder injury. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)<\/div><\/div>\"Rylan<\/a>
Rylan gives Tarin Smith a high five as the players return to the court after half-time at the XL Center in Hartford. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)<\/div>
SteveSlade_rylan-14<\/div>
Rylan gives Tarin Smith a high five as the players return to the court after half-time at the XL Center in Hartford. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)<\/div><\/div>\"Rylan<\/a>
Rylan has his head shaved with the Husky dog logo. His mom says Coach Hurley has taken a particular interest in his hair-dos. (Photo by Tanya Ellingwood)<\/div>
Rylan15_65832B62-2A7C-499D-AB8C-2DF7527AE982<\/div>
Rylan has his head shaved with the Husky dog logo. His mom says Coach Hurley has taken a particular interest in his hair-dos. (Photo by Tanya Ellingwood)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Though he\u2019s now comfortable with the whole team and regularly attends home games, Rylan has formed a special bond with a couple of the players he met early on: Mamadou \u2018Mo\u2019 Diarra and Alterique \u2018Al\u2019 Gilbert, both of whom have experienced serious injuries that have impacted their careers.<\/p>\n

With Mo sitting out after knee surgery that cost him most of the season, Rylan would sneak his favorite candy \u2013 Sour Patch Kids \u2013 to him on the bench when Coach wasn\u2019t looking. And they have a special ‘handshake’ to celebrate a three-point basket.<\/p>\n

\u201cRylan gives us hope,\u201d says Mo. \u201cWe all go through problems, but ours are temporary and Rylan has something he has to live with for the rest of his life. He comes every day with the same energy, the same excitement, so you can\u2019t sit there and feel sorry for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

With Al, says Tanya, Rylan will talk about anything \u2013 about life, his illness. \u201cIt\u2019s just so awesome, because it comes from someone else other than me. Al has great values and I trust what he says to Rylan completely.\u201d<\/p>\n

Says Al, “We’re glad Rylan could be part of the team. For me personally, it’s been a special relationship between me and Rylan. He continues to inspire us all with his fight and determination.”<\/p>\n

Rylan shows the players the same empathy they show him. He\u2019ll send Al a congratulatory video after a good game or an encouraging video when Al might be disappointed. After Al suffered a season-ending eye injury in early March, Rylan messaged him as his \u2018soldier-buddy.\u2019 \u201cWe just keep going because that\u2019s what we have to do,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n

Tanya says the effects of Rylan\u2019s time with the team have been profound. He no longer resents his illness, and now faces his infusions with confidence. “Going to the games is awesome,” she says, “but the best part of it has been the relationships he’s developed. They’ve changed his outlook on life.\u201d<\/p>\n

‘She’s Loved By Everyone’\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Daniela Ciriello, a first-grader from Plainville, Connecticut, may be seen at UConn Women\u2019s Basketball home games, jumping for joy behind the bench when her team makes a great play, or waving pompoms on the sidelines with the UConn cheerleading squad. Despite her exuberance, Daniela has a life-threatening condition that has dogged her since she was a baby: Thalassemia Major, a rare and severe form of anemia, meaning her blood doesn\u2019t make enough healthy red blood cells.<\/p>\n

Daniela must receive regular transfusions that take up to six hours each. This summer will mark her 100th transfusion. The family also monitors her carefully for any sign of infection because of her IV port.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a tough balancing act for the family to coordinate trips to the hospital along with the everyday demands of raising four kids ages 2 to 12, and the family faces additional stress from the expense of Daniela\u2019s treatment: her medications alone cost thousands of dollars a month. They also recently found out that two-year-old Matteo has Thalassemia as well, though a milder form.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s why [Team IMPACT] is so nice,\u201d says her mom, Nicole, \u201cwhat Daniela does with the team and what they do for us \u2013 it\u2019s just fun. It takes our minds off reality.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Daniela<\/a>
Daniela greets the fans at First Night, the traditional start to the basketball season, as Head Coach Geno Auriemma looks on. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)<\/div>
SteveSlade_daniela-2<\/div>
Daniela greets the fans at First Night, the traditional start to the basketball season, as Head Coach Geno Auriemma looks on. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)<\/div><\/div>\"Daniela<\/a>
Daniela demonstrates a leg lift, as basketball head coaches Geno Auriemma, left, and Dan Hurley with Rylan look on. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)<\/div>
FIRSTNIGHT18-52<\/div>
Daniela demonstrates a leg lift, as basketball head coaches Geno Auriemma, left, and Dan Hurley with Rylan look on. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)<\/div><\/div>\"Daniela<\/a>
Daniela with members of the Women's Basketball team at First Night on Oct. 12, 2018. She says 'all' the players are her favorites. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)<\/div>
SteveSlade_daniela-1<\/div>
Daniela with members of the Women's Basketball team at First Night on Oct. 12, 2018. She says 'all' the players are her favorites. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)<\/div><\/div>\"Daniela<\/a>
Daniela receives a blood transfusion at Connecticut Children's every three weeks. (Courtesy of the Ciriello Family)<\/div>
Daniela_transfusion_large<\/div>
Daniela receives a blood transfusion at Connecticut Children's every three weeks. (Courtesy of the Ciriello Family)<\/div><\/div>\"Daniela<\/a>
Daniela is distracted by her iPad while she receives her blood transfusion. (Courtesy of the Ciriello Family)<\/div>
Daniela_transfusion2_large<\/div>
Daniela is distracted by her iPad while she receives her blood transfusion. (Courtesy of the Ciriello Family)<\/div><\/div>\"Daniela<\/a>
Daniela with cheerleaders at Gampel Pavilion, the night of the team's season opener against Ohio State on Nov. 11, 2018. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)<\/div>
SteveSlade_wbbohio-24<\/div>
Daniela with cheerleaders at Gampel Pavilion, the night of the team's season opener against Ohio State on Nov. 11, 2018. (Stephen Slade '89 (SFA) for UConn)<\/div><\/div>\"Daniela<\/a>
Daniela having fun with the cheerleading squad.<\/div>
Daniela_with_cheerleading_pompoms<\/div>
Daniela having fun with the cheerleading squad.<\/div><\/div>\"Daniela<\/a>
Daniela poses for a photo with the Husky mascot.<\/div>
Daniela_with_Husky_mascot<\/div>
Daniela poses for a photo with the Husky mascot.<\/div><\/div>\"Daniela<\/a>
Daniela with Coach Geno Auriemma on her signing day, Nov. 11, 2018. (Jason Reider\/Athletic Marketing Photo)<\/div>
daniela-3_withCoachGeno<\/div>
Daniela with Coach Geno Auriemma on her signing day, Nov. 11, 2018. (Jason Reider\/Athletic Marketing Photo)<\/div><\/div>\"Daniela<\/a>
Daniela poses with her welcome cake at a party hosted by the Women's Basketball team after her signing ceremony on Nov. 11, 2018.<\/div>
Daniela_with_welcome_cake<\/div>
Daniela poses with her welcome cake at a party hosted by the Women's Basketball team after her signing ceremony on Nov. 11, 2018.<\/div><\/div>\"Daniela<\/a>
Daniela with the Women's Basketball team and family members on Junior Husky Club day at Gampel Pavilion on Jan. 27, 2019: her mom, Nicole, and dad, Daniel, sister Angelina (10), brother Dominic (12), and, in the arms of Batouly Camara, brother Matteo (2). (Jason Reider\/Athletic Marketing Photo)<\/div>
daniela-2_JuniorHuskyDay<\/div>
Daniela with the Women's Basketball team and family members on Junior Husky Club day at Gampel Pavilion on Jan. 27, 2019: her mom, Nicole, and dad, Daniel, sister Angelina (10), brother Dominic (12), and, in the arms of Batouly Camara, brother Matteo (2). (Jason Reider\/Athletic Marketing Photo)<\/div><\/div>\"Daniela<\/a>
Daniela gives a high five, as members of the Women's Basketball team and Daniela's family look on, on Junior Husky Club day at Gampel Pavilion on Jan. 27, 2019. From left, her mom, Nicole, sister Angelina (10), and brother Dominic (12). (Jason Reider\/Athletic Marketing Photo)<\/div>
daniela_JuniorHuskyDay<\/div>
Daniela gives a high five, as members of the Women's Basketball team and Daniela's family look on, on Junior Husky Club day at Gampel Pavilion on Jan. 27, 2019. From left, her mom, Nicole, sister Angelina (10), and brother Dominic (12). (Jason Reider\/Athletic Marketing Photo)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

The family mostly attended weekend home games this year to work around the siblings\u2019 schedules. The players, of course, also have a lot going on in their lives. And that\u2019s partly what has made for a good fit. \u201cI know how busy they are, they know how busy we are,\u201d says Nicole. \u201cWe just make it work.\u201d<\/p>\n

Daniela loves throwing miniature soft foam basketballs into the crowd after a home win, and even when she watches the games at home on TV, she jumps up and down with her blue-and-white pompoms, cheering for her team, or turns cartwheels around the living room.<\/p>\n

Before almost every game, says her mom, Daniela records a good-luck video telling the team to \u201ckick butt.\u201d When she\u2019s in the hospital, she\u2019ll make a video telling them they inspire her. \u201cIt gives her a little boost of energy,\u201d Nicole says: \u201cIf you can do it, I can do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The players also mail her postcards from the road, as well as Christmas and Valentine\u2019s cards. When Coach Auriemma was sick and missed a couple of games, Daniela put on her best dress and recorded a get-well video for him, including a reminder to be sure and watch the games.<\/p>\n

Her mom has already seen changes in her daughter. \u201cShe really lights up when she goes there. I think she feels like she\u2019s part of something, seeing how much they care about her and how much they include her.\u201d<\/p>\n

The team\u2019s liaison with Team IMPACT, Carley Mooney, says she also notices a difference in the players: \u201cSeeing this little girl who looks so healthy and vivacious and bubbly and has so much energy, then seeing videos of her having transfusions and seeing what she has to go through, they have a new appreciation of what she deals with.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kyla Irwin, one of the players who\u2019s developed a good rapport with Daniela, says Team IMPACT is \u201ca really great opportunity to take yourself outside of your usual life.\u201d She says the team doesn\u2019t discuss health issues with Daniela. \u201cWe want her to focus on other things and feel included in everything we do, make sure she knows she\u2019s loved by everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Ciriellos also have a serious purpose in making the videos they send from the hospital: they hope to raise the team’s awareness of the importance of blood donation. \u201cWe\u2019re very big advocates of giving blood,\u201d says Nicole, whose family organizes a couple of blood drives each year for Daniela. \u201cGiving blood doesn\u2019t cost anything, and it doesn\u2019t take very long. Blood is what\u2019s keeping Daniela alive.”<\/p>\n

\u2018One of the Guys\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fifteen-year-old Maddox Bruening is a veteran of Team IMPACT, with two full seasons under his belt since he joined the UConn Men\u2019s Soccer<\/a> team in April 2017.<\/p>\n

Maddox was diagnosed at age 1 with Eosinophilic Esophagitis, a gastrointestinal disorder involving multiple food allergies that cause inflammation of the esophagus. Eating isn\u2019t fun. And because he can’t consume enough food by mouth, he gets most of his nutrition from a liquid feed delivered through a tube into his stomach.<\/p>\n

But until this past year, he has been active and energetic, and loves to play soccer, basketball, and lacrosse in his hometown of Glastonbury, Connecticut.<\/p>\n

Maddox has missed only two UConn home games in two seasons. He also joins the team at some nearby away games, as well as workouts, practices, and team meals. He has shadowed student-athletes serving as counselors at the Ray Reid Soccer Camp, been recognized with other Team IMPACT kids and teams during halftime at a basketball game, and attended a Team IMPACT gala where he met NFL player Julian Edelman of the New England Patriots.<\/p>\n

\"Maddox_inGampel\"<\/a>
Maddox_inGampel<\/div>
Maddox greets the crowd during as Team IMPACT members are recognizedat halftime during a Men's Basketball game at Gampel Pavilion in February 2018. Standing behind him in a gray T-shirt is George Kutrubis, who says he was more nervous than Maddox was. (Photo courtesy of the Bruening Family)<\/div><\/div>\"Maddox<\/a>
Maddox signs his National Letter of Intent to join the Men's Soccer team, as Coach Andy Parker looks on. Maddox was able to prove to his 8th grade class that he was a member of the team by pulling up the video of his signing ceremony. (Courtesy of the Bruening Family)<\/div>
MensSoccer_Signing day 2<\/div>
Maddox signs his National Letter of Intent to join the Men's Soccer team, as Coach Andy Parker looks on. Maddox was able to prove to his 8th grade class that he was a member of the team by pulling up the video of his signing ceremony. (Courtesy of the Bruening Family)<\/div><\/div>\"Maddox,<\/a>
Maddox, center, having fun with the Men's Soccer team on his signing day. Next to him is George Kutrubis, wearing a gray T-shirt. (Jason Reider\/Athletic Marketing Photo)<\/div>
maddox-38_laughing<\/div>
Maddox, center, having fun with the Men's Soccer team on his signing day. Next to him is George Kutrubis, wearing a gray T-shirt. (Jason Reider\/Athletic Marketing Photo)<\/div><\/div>\"Before<\/a>
Before his official signing, Maddox first met with a small group of players from the team. They attended a UConn Baseball game together, then spent a couple of hours kicking a ball around on the practice soccer field. (Photo by Sherry Bruening)<\/div>
Maddox_soccer-field<\/div>
Before his official signing, Maddox first met with a small group of players from the team. They attended a UConn Baseball game together, then spent a couple of hours kicking a ball around on the practice soccer field. (Photo by Sherry Bruening)<\/div><\/div>\"Maddox_bus_banquet17\"<\/a>
Maddox_bus_banquet17<\/div>
Maddox poses for a photo with some teammates before boarding the bus to attend the 'Meet the Huskies Banquet' prior to the start of the 2017 season. (Photo by Sherry Bruening)<\/div><\/div>\"Maddox<\/a>
Maddox walks off the soccer field with two of the players, Daniel Beer, left, and George Kutrubis. (Photo by Sherry Bruening)<\/div>
Maddox_TwoPlayersonField_IMG_7237<\/div>
Maddox walks off the soccer field with two of the players, Daniel Beer, left, and George Kutrubis. (Photo by Sherry Bruening)<\/div><\/div>\"Maddox<\/a>
Maddox weathers the snow to watch the first outdoor Spring practice in April 2018. (Photo by Sherry Bruening)<\/div>
MensSoccer_IMG_2863<\/div>
Maddox weathers the snow to watch the first outdoor Spring practice in April 2018. (Photo by Sherry Bruening)<\/div><\/div>\"Maddox,<\/a>
Maddox, foreground, and five other members of the UConn Men's Soccer team at a Men's Basketball game at Gampel Pavilion. (Photo by Sherry Bruening)<\/div>
Maddox_Soccer_Basketball_IMG_7442<\/div>
Maddox, foreground, and five other members of the UConn Men's Soccer team at a Men's Basketball game at Gampel Pavilion. (Photo by Sherry Bruening)<\/div><\/div>\"Maddox<\/a>
Maddox unwraps gifts of UConn gear from his team on Christmas Day. (Photo by Sherry Bruening)<\/div>
Maddox_Xmas_IMG_0452<\/div>
Maddox unwraps gifts of UConn gear from his team on Christmas Day. (Photo by Sherry Bruening)<\/div><\/div>\"Coach<\/a>
Coach Andy Parker attended Maddox's basketball game on his birthday in January. (Photo by Sherry Bruening)<\/div>
CoachAndy_basketballgame_IMG_1929<\/div>
Coach Andy Parker attended Maddox's basketball game on his birthday in January. (Photo by Sherry Bruening)<\/div><\/div>\"Maddox<\/a>
Maddox gets some tips from goalie Shane Keenan at an early morning practice in the Shenkman Training Center. (Lucas Voghell '20 (CLAS)\/UConn Photo)<\/div>
Maddox_IMG_1349<\/div>
Maddox gets some tips from goalie Shane Keenan at an early morning practice in the Shenkman Training Center. (Lucas Voghell '20 (CLAS)\/UConn Photo)<\/div><\/div>\"George<\/a>
George Kutrubis and Maddox, after a performance of Guys & Dolls at Glastonbury High School. When pain in his legs prevented Maddox from playing sports, he found an alternative niche in the Drama Club, earning a part in the school\u2019s spring production. (Photo by Sherry Bruening)<\/div>
GeorgeMaddoxGuys&Dolls_cropped<\/div>
George Kutrubis and Maddox, after a performance of Guys & Dolls at Glastonbury High School. When pain in his legs prevented Maddox from playing sports, he found an alternative niche in the Drama Club, earning a part in the school\u2019s spring production. (Photo by Sherry Bruening)<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

At the heart of his interaction with the team is a strong connection with George Kutrubis, a pre-med student who thinks of Maddox as a younger brother. \u201cHe definitely brightens the mood wherever he goes,\u201d George says. \u201cHe\u2019s a very positive guy, and it\u2019s just great having him around.\u201d<\/p>\n

George and Maddox tease each other like brothers do. George says he sometimes feels more like a second dad, reminding Maddox to eat his lunch or wear extra layers on a cold day. Maddox doesn\u2019t mind. He says it\u2019s good to have someone other than his mom be on his case.<\/p>\n

The two exchange text messages often, talking about school or video games or the family dog. But they don\u2019t talk about Maddox\u2019s health.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt seems like he doesn\u2019t want to bring that part of his life into this one, which I understand,\u201d George says. \u201cMaybe it makes him feel more normal than he feels otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n

Maddox\u2019s mom says he looks up to the student-athletes as role models. He hopes to go to college himself one day, and George promises to stay in touch even after he graduates, so he can mentor him in the college application process.<\/p>\n

Though Maddox plays it cool about his illness at school, too \u2013 he says only a couple of his friends know about his feeding tube port \u00a0\u2013 he hasn\u2019t escaped being bullied for other things.<\/p>\n

Being on the Men\u2019s Soccer team helps him get past the difficult times \u2013 even though at first, his peers didn\u2019t believe him. In 8th grade, when his class played \u2018Two Truths and a Lie,\u2019 his classmates called him out for saying two lies: \u201cI like eating milk chocolate\u201d (he’s allergic to it), and \u201cI\u2019m a member of the UConn Men\u2019s Soccer team.\u201d But they had to take it back when Maddox pulled up a video of his signing ceremony with the team.<\/p>\n

For Maddox\u2019s mom, the time the family spends at soccer games, or out to dinner while Maddox is at practice, is \u201ca respite from the real world.\u201d<\/p>\n

Recently, as if the transition to high school wasn\u2019t enough, Maddox was diagnosed with Sever\u2019s disease, an inflammation that often affects active kids going through a growth spurt. Not only has he had to cut back on participating in his beloved sports, he also now has physical therapy three times a day. The team has helped him get through. When he balked at having to go to yet another specialist about the pain, they encouraged him to stay the course. And continuing to hang out with the players on campus has provided an ongoing outlet for his passion for sports.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe just wants to be part of the team, one of the guys,\u201d says his mom.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s had to cope with some mean people, so to be surrounded by so much positivity, it\u2019s been life-changing,\u201d she adds. \u201cIt\u2019s a different kind of healing.\u201d<\/p>\n