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Written by Michael Stearns
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Sunday, 07 September 2008 |
Another Friday night arrives in West Texas and most fans are ready for Mustang football in the famous bowl. As the Red and white make their way down the stairs to the field, their most vocal fan is one who doesn’t speak at all.
All Mustang fans know the 12 man towel of Jared Jay. The 20-year old is at every Mustang game, exhorting his classmates with a fervor that is greater than anything found in the grandest of college or pro venues.
Living and dying on every play, Jared does not form words due to an under developed cerebellum. But as he sweeps his hand across his new number 44 Mustang jersey and points to the scoreboard, there is no doubt about his love for the red-clad Mustangs.
Jared’s life changed forever in his third month when he started having seizures. His diagnosis was a frightful time for mom, Sandy, and dad, John Jay.
“He never has really been verbal but as far as comprehension and understanding what is going on, he is as normal as anyone,” said Jared’s mom. “He has come a lot further than anyone thought he would.”
Sandy commented on the soft heart her son has for the world around him.
“He has the sweetest disposition in the world. Jared loves to travel, loves football especially (Texas) A&M and the Mustangs.”
Sweetwater helps to heal
Jared was born in Fort Worth and was a healthy baby until he developed the seizure disorder in his third month. A regimen of doctors and medication followed to get the disorder under control. The family moved to Abilene and Jared benefited from therapy. He entered the special needs program within the Abilene Wylie school district, but the family did not feel that they were getting the support necessary for Jared’s needs. His development slowed and the family moved to Sweetwater as Jared’s medical needs lessened and his emotional and developmental needs increased.
“We struggled to get the Wylie school system to just provide the required things for Jared,” said John. “But Sweetwater welcomed him and provided the greatest of care and concern for Jared. He blossomed under the love of the teachers and the students here.”
Mom adds, “We have been very blessed in Sweetwater. All of the fans in Sweetwater have just welcomed him and love him. He just roams the stands and sits with whomever. Everyone is so wonderful to him.”
The welcome smiles and acceptance by the kids at school are especially important to Sandy. She relates the story from last year when the coaches presented Jared with a letter jacket at the athletic awards event. As brother Clint,17, now a junior and member of the Sweetwater football squad, presented Jared with the jacket, the appreciation of the coaches, students and fans show just how Jared had become a big part of the Sweetwater school society.
Sandy commented emotionally, “They really work hard at the school to make Jared a part of everything and Sweetwater could not have a bigger fan.”
The towel is not terrible
The Jays have a long-standing connection with Texas A&M University. John graduated from College Station and Jared’s sister Bonnie, 22, just earned a communication degree from Texas A&M this past year.
“He just loves “Reveille”,” said Sandy of the A&M collie mascot. “He has a big poster of the collie up in his room. He got the 12th man towel from A&M.”
The towel has been a major part of Jared expression not only at football games, but at other athletic events.
Mom reports, “He takes it to the tennis matches, basketball games and any sports function. He always has his terrible towel.”
John quips about Jared’s enthusiasm,” His towel deal, he will literally stand the whole game wave the terrible towel. You don’t want to sit behind Jared at a ballgame. Your vision will be impaired.”
Sandy adds, “You may need to duck because he may nail you with the towel.”
Jared hates penalties. And his football knowledge goes beyond that of the average fan. The towel stops waving when something bad happens to the beloved Mustangs. Jared emphatic downward motion from his clenched fist, followed by the official signal of the infraction, tells fans all around what just happened, often before the official on the field signals the penalty to the crowd.
Expression is not a problem
One would think that a lack of vocalization would lead to a lack of communication. Such is no the case with Jared.
“He is very expressive,” explains John. “He knows what you are saying most of the time. You can have a great communication with him. You can couch so many things in yes and no questions. You can ask do you want a hamburger and he will say yes or no.”
Thinking of communication with his brother Clint and all of their friends, John adds, “He does not have the dexterity to do common sign language but he has developed his own communication.”
Jared has all the sibling issues that all middle children have. Clint wrestles and picks on him often. When mom asks if she should get after Clint with a paddling’, Jared softly lowers his face and gives her a gentle, “No.”
“All of our friends and Jared’s friends all communicate with him,” said Sandy. “He does not have any problem getting his wishes and needs across to anyone who is around. He loves to talk to people. Everyone who knows Jared knows the tap on the shoulder.”
The fans sitting around Jared are sure to get the famous tap with a “Hey” accompanying it. Jared gets his message across with a smile or first down signal or an animated wave of the towel.
“We are very blessed to have such an open town. So many people don’t mind if he sits by them and he feels at home anywhere in the stands. Jared just enjoys everyone. It is amazing we are blown away all of the time how open people are to him. They all love him like we do,” expressed Sandy with a quiver in her voice.
A pure heart
All of the nuances of dishonesty and manipulation are lost on Jared. To his parents, this is one of the greatest blessings of living with Jared and seeing things through pure eyes.
“He has the purest heart of anyone that I have ever been associated with or come in contact with,” said John.
Sandy adds, “He is just the most giving and caring person. He really feels for other people. Things like 9-11 or anything traumatic that affects other people really touch Jared. Things like that really affect him. He is very much a love and peace kind of boy. He is very soft hearted.
To illustrate the kind nature that Jared so readily displays, the family tells about his grandmother’s teasing approach when Jared has a favorite dessert or ice cream.
“She will ask if she can have it and Jared always says okay and tries to give it to her; he is just that way, always thinking of everyone else before himself,” says Mom proudly.
Clint blew out his during last year’s football campaign. The resulting time of healing took its toll not only on Clint but on Jared as well.
Now every time Clint comes into the game, Jared points to his knee with an anxious look on his face.
John notes how Jared has changed our lives in a positive, wonderful way.
“He has been a joy and blessing beyond any comprehension,” he said. “He has had a great impact. I have learned more from him than anyone else in the world. Just about relationships and how to deal with people and having such a good genuine heart.
Blessed to be a blessing
But Jared has blessed the students, teachers and his family with his love of life and positive outlook.
“He makes an impression on them,” said Sandy of Jared’s relationship with other students. “I think they get a greater appreciation for making the best out of what you have, the abilities and talents you have.”
One of the coaches who had Jared in a P.E. class has treated him like one of the boys, according to Sandy. She quoted the coach, “He would love to have the ability and the talent to get out there, but he can’t. So don’t squander your ability and talent.”
Adding a mom’s touch, Sandy explained, “I think the kids really grow from Jared’s situation.”
John watches with awe Jared’s influence on the boys that hang around the house.
“All of Clint’s friends always include him. Jared has had a profound influence not only on our kids but on all of their friends. That has been fun to see and interesting to watch,” said dad.
The Jersey
The team meal before the Seminole contest last Thursday night held not only a time of fellowship for the football team, but a special gift for Jared.
“Brian Stoddard and Craig Johnson have been working on getting Jared a jersey for a long time,” Sandy explained. “Coach Jackson got him a number 44, Clint’s number, and presented it to Jared.”
“That was a special deal,” said John. “Jared was just grinning when he got the jersey. He wanted to sleep in it.”
Mom fought off tears while commenting, “We didn’t know they were going to give him a jersey with his brother’s number on it. People don’t know how important those little moments are.”
“He was so proud this morning,” she continued, “Didn’t want to take it off last night to go to bed, couldn’t wait to put it on, he will have everything ready to go for tonight’s game.”
Never-ending Joy
Sandy makes a seemingly obvious observation, stating, “We still have Christmas every year.”
But Christmas takes on a purer, more-childlike persona at the Jay household.
Sandy relates, “We will always have Santa visit at our house even when Jared is 50 years old. He will always believe. Those kinds of things just bring something special to your family. We don’t outgrow a lot of things that other families do. That is kind of fun.”
John expresses a deep gratitude to Jared for the lessons he has learned from his eldest son.
“I would say without question that if we could go back and have a perfectly normal child, I would not even think of that. I would take this route every time. The joy and blessing that he has brought us are immeasurable,” expressed the loving father.
“It is so much more rewarding, so much more pleasurable. We will always have Jared with us. That is non-negotiable. He will always be with us here in our home.”
“And that is a blessing beyond words,” he concluded.
Sweetwater fans will come and go. Some will display passion at the games and some will root stoically.
But there will always be the 12th man as long as Jared has breath and a towel. No deeper appreciation for the game and for the team could ever be found greater than Jared’s passion for his beloved Mustangs.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 08 September 2008 )
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God Speed Mustangs! We are everywhere from an Ole Mustang
in Green Bay, WI.- Tony Grimaldo Sweetwater Mustang and Lady Mustangs Basketball
players!!Good luck to all of our teams this basketball
season.You make us very proud every year!! - The Crain's
GOOD LUCK IN BBALL JACOB AND JARED!!!! MAKE IT A GREAT
SEASON AND ENJOY YOUR FINAL DAYS OF HIGH SCHOOL - Charissa Villanueva Touchdown Touchdown Touch down boys you
touchdown we make the noise but do the cheer 3 times -Brianna Crosby Good luck to the highland hornets varsity teams this
season.Girls and guys.KICK BUTT! - Taryn Massey Wishing the Plowboys success toward basketball post-district
play. - Jay Etheredge Also wishing success to the Plowgirls in post-season play! - Jay Etheredge
Good luck guys down at the Lockhart tournament. Things dont change overnight, keep working hard - Ryan Pepper Lots of Love and Luck to the Strawn Lady Greyhounds as they
work their way to the STATE tournament. ONE TEAM, ONE DREAM...Feb. 2009 - Shan Nowak GO PLOWGIRLS AND LADY LIONS ... BOTH HOMETOWN FAVORITES!! I
WAS A LADY LION MYSELF AND OUR KIDS WERE ROSCOE PLOWBOY & PLOWGIRLS !! RAGE ON!!!
TOMMY, BECCA, STEPHANEE, BUSTER & BECKY - Becca Frierson Welcome to Coach Slaughter and family to Mustang country.
Your new and more open offensive scheme will be a welcome and much needed change
around here. The Mustangs look forward to a long and successful future with you at
the helm. GO BIG RED!!! - Marlin Daniel
Congratulations to the Sweetwater Tennis team for an
outstanding job at the Regional Tournament!! Best of luck at the State competition
in Waco!! We are very proud of you all! - Ruben, Donna, Layla
and Romi Cabrera
A Big "CONGRATULATIONS" to the Plowboys for their State
Championship basketball season. As an old Plowboy, you've made me proud over the
past several years for all your accomplishments on the playing field. This just
caps the outstanding high school career for all the seniors. With the track season
upon us, I know you'll give it your best, cause that's what "Tough Guys" do. So
again, "Congratulations" on a great basketball season, now top it off on the track.
Good Luck Plowboys. - David Lloyd
Congratulation Andrew Alcala keep up the good work Go
Sweetwater Mustangs!!! - Steven Alcala Mustang Baseball!! We are very proud of you all
and for all your HARD work. Never give up and it will pay off. Go Big
Red!! - The Crain's Goodluck Blackwell Hornets, Zac Burwick and Ashton Monroe in
the Regional Track at ACU May 1st. We love you! - Tanya Burwick
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