I Was the CP Kid Who Snapped the Football But Almost Didn't Make It Past the Hot Dog🌭🏈

I was moved from a school for students with disabilities into a school with non-disabled kids — mainstreamed — in sixth grade.It did not go very well at first.I was bullied a lot when I first got there because I was the “weird kid.”But eventually, after about half a year, the same kids who bullied me became my friends — and they’re still my friends to this day. Friends for life.One of the reasons we became friends was football.I realized I could play with them. I’d get down out of my wheelchair, off my crutches, and onto the ground. I’d snap the ball to the quarterback, then throw a block or make a tackle — and I was good at it.We became friends over football.That was also the same year I went to my first high school football game.I was so excited to be there that I swallowed a hot dog the wrong way and started to choke — almost died!They had to call the police to the stadium, and I was rushed to the hospital.Everyone was so nice to me on the way to the police car — I remember people handing me candy and putting it in my hands.So yeah, I almost died at that one. I didn’t — obviously.But in a way, football was responsible for the friendships I still have today. It helped me fit in with the rest of America.But it also almost killed me.So there’s that.Happy Sunday. 🏈🌭💚 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit orbitdeen.substack.com