Yes He Can!

"He doesn't like to make eye contact."

"Also, he isn't comfortable having anything in his hands."

Imagine starting off a junior golf clinic and hearing this about one of the participants who will be trying golf for the first time.  This is what happened about 18 months ago as Ranken Jordan was preparing for their annual Inspiration Gallery fundraiser.  Every November, as part of their art therapy program, the kids create artwork that is displayed and sold to friends and supporters of Ranken Jordan.  For the first time, our junior golfers created multiple pieces by hitting golf balls at blank pieces of canvas.  Some of you may remember a blog post from that timeframe talking about how much fun the kids (and me, too) had painting with golf balls!

Jaxen's first day of golf

If you recall that blog post you likely remember the pictures of one of the junior golfers who was part of it, a young red-headed boy named Jaxen.  When the therapists at Ranken Jordan bring a new golfer they always let me know of any physical restrictions or challenges that may affect how we teach the children.  That is what led to me hearing the two statements that started this blog post.  Not making eye contact with anyone is not a big deal when it comes to playing golf.  However not being comfortable with having anything in your hands makes it quite difficult to grip a golf club!  But as everyone knows, we refuse to let something like that stop the kids from playing golf!  Initially we started Jaxen with hand-over-hand swings.  We would hold his hand on the club and help him hit the golf balls.  After 3 swings he was looking up at me and reaching for the golf club!  The smile he had on his face that day was priceless!

During the next 18 months, Jaxen was always one of the first to arrive at our driving range in Warner's Corner on Golfday (Wednesday to most people).  At the same time his health was improving, so, too, was his golf game.  Jaxen would hit a golf ball, smile, laugh, and dance while he waited for me to tee up another one; I could not tee up the golf balls fast enough for him!  Jaxen was reaching for the club after each shot and wanted to keep hitting golf balls.  Watching his priceless reactions after each shot is something none of us will ever forget.  There were many times that Jaxen would grab my hand, place it on the grip, and help me practice.  I was amazed how straight I could hit the golf ball with Jaxen's help!  Golf became such a source of enjoyment for Jaxen that a variety of therapists would join us for golf.  As an example, who would have ever thought that speech therapy could be done using golf as an intermediary?  Recently Jaxen was able to go home with his family.  When he left Ranken Jordan he did so with his own brand new set of U.S. Kids Golf clubs and lessons set up with his local PGA Professional.

Almost 7 years after starting the junior golf program at Ranken Jordan I am still in awe and inspired when I see children like Jaxen making so much incredible progress and improvement.  Friends of mine hear me frequently say that the children do far more for me than I will ever do for them -- and that is 100% truth.  The work being done at Ranken Jordan on a daily basis is nothing short of miraculous.  It is amazing what can happen when kids are allowed to be kids.  Now that the Berges Family Foundation Adolescent Center expansion is finished, more kids and more families will have more hope and more healing.  The next step is for Mother Nature to get out of her bad mood so the kids can get outside to take advantage of the putting greens that are part of the expansion!