TORONTO—Six members of Toronto FC, Canada’s Major League Soccer (MLS) team, visited a local children’s hospital to inspire children only to find that they were the ones who were inspired.
“These kids are just really a bright spot on Earth, said forward Chad Barrett who was impressed by the children’s optimism and resilience. “ I have so much respect coming here.”
The soccer players came to meet with the children and sign autographs at the Bloorview Kids Rehab, the largest rehabilitation hospital for children with disabilities in Canada last Tuesday.
After seeing the hardships the young patients faced, Barett and his teammates learned to better appreciate how lucky they are.
“All these kids have so many different problems, so many different things going on in their life that are so much more complex than what I have going on in my life,” said Barrett.
Goalkeeper Brian Edwards also left Bloorview with a feeling of greater strength. “I’ll think about this before I go to bed at night. It’s a special feeling all the way around.”
But the visit was ultimately a highlight for the kids who had been having a countdown to the visit with many looking up players and wearing the red and white colors of Toronto FC. Many of the therapists also tried to make soccer part of their treatment program whenever possible.
“They’ve been so excited all day and you can see when the players walked into the room. They’re just really excited, whether they’re soccer fans or just know about soccer, they’re all excited to meet someone who has come here just to meet them,” said child-life specialist Breanne Mathers.
“It’s a very special experience for them.”
“This was an opportunity for the kids to have a more positive experience after dealing with trauma, and something exciting to impress their friends at home with,” said Mathers.
Respect
For Mike Box, a former athlete who was nearing the end of his stay at Bloorview, this visit had a particularly special significance. “It shows us that people out there care and they’re coming in and showing their respects towards us and we’re respecting them back.”
