KHALID's KORNER

 

The Tale of Tyree

"the positive effects of sports in the life of a troubled youth"

Khalid B. Scott, MSW, LCM, QMHP is a 16 year clinical manager and social worker, who has provided mental health therapy to IDCFS affiliated clients to include foster and biological family members for over 9 years.

About 10 years ago, I was assigned a new foster care client for weekly individual therapy session (*Tyree) with a history of severe misbehaviors (i.e.: school suspensions, poor academic performance and a habitually running away from the foster home.)  As I read over 15 year old Tyree's file I saw that his social history stated that he was born substance exposed (cocaine in his system) and that he had been in foster care since he was an infant. His mother had an ongoing drug problem, while his birth father was nowhere in the picture.  His 2 other siblings were in other foster homes, but they did see each other a couple times a month.

Anyway, during my initial meeting with Tyree, I asked him the normal questions that I usually ask of my adolescent clients (i.e. do you know why I was assigned as your therapist and what interest you?)  Well, Tyree was very well aware why I was assigned to his case, though he felt that he was not mentally challenged and didn't need a therapist.  He went on to let me know that he loved football, and his size showed it.  Tyree was about 5'8" and about 170 Ibs and when he shook my hand, I thought the "Terminator" was shaking it.  I asked him over the next few months if he was interested in joining his high school's football team and he always appeared lukewarm in his enthusiasm to join.  I then went on to ask him why he didn't want to play for the team. He revealed that he knew that because he had poor grades, this would be out of his reach.  I told him that if he was truly interested, that I would be supportive.

Thereafter, I traveled to Tyree's school and spoke to his guidance counselor, the football coach and Tyree's history teacher, who I had went to college with (small world)!  Eventually, Tyree was able to join the freshmen team at his west-side high school and boy did that make a difference in his life.  Tyree became more enthusiastic about his schoolwork and loved going to football practice and his evening and weekend games, in which he became a lineman. 

Fast forward to his senior year, Tyree told me during one of our weekly sessions that he was very interested in going to college, maybe playing football there and becoming a Social Worker like me.  To say the least, I was overwhelmed. 

I truly feel and know in my heart of hearts that his participation in organized sports was the catalyst of him learning about being disciplined, team oriented, focused and motivated to go to college (where he is a junior currently) and a overall gifted athlete and future social worker.

For more on Khalid Scott, visit our site by clicking here!

 

*Tyree is not my client's actual name but due to confidentiality, the name was changed.