Track Coach Hears God through the Voice of a Blind Girl whose Dream was to Run

Teresa Neumann : Feb 24, 2009
Bill Plaschke - L.A. Times

"I heard her voice and I felt like it was God talking to me. Right then I said, I'm going to make this happen."

(Simi Valley, Ca.)—Bill Plaschke has written a moving article in the L.A. Times on Jay Sramek, the track coach for the Royal High Highlanders, and Alyssa Rossi, a blind girl who moved Sramek's heart and as a result is living her dream of being a runner on a cross-country track team.

According to the report, several years ago Sramek dismissed an autistic runner from one of his teams because of liability concerns, and then when Rossi asked to join the team, he had the same fears. A couple of months later, he reportedly saw her "singing in church, thought about the autistic child, realized he had another chance to fill a student's dreams, and changed his mind." (Photo by: Michael Robinson Chavez / Los Angeles Times)

"I heard her voice and I felt like it was God talking to me," said Sramek. "Right then I said, I'm going to make this happen."

Sramek is said to be a unique coach and a successful one known for stringent etiquette rules such as always saying "please" and "excuse me," at the risk of being cut from the team. Team mates attitudes must match their speed, notes the report. And this emphasis on attitude and teamwork is what is helping Rossi fulfill her dream.

"This just shows you that kids get it," said Sramek. "Kids understand how important it is to include someone. Kids just understand what it means to be a team."

Click on the link provided to reach this inspiring, encouraging report in its entirety.