Nothing Can Hold Me Back

At first, Isaiah’s mom, Dionne, wouldn’t let him play football. She thought it was dangerous. How could he protect himself when he couldn’t clearly see what was coming at him?

But then she thought about all of the challenges Isaiah had overcome. He taught himself to roller-skate. He learned to ride a bike with no training wheels. And he also plays basketball and baseball.

“We’ve encouraged him to use what he has to the best of his ability,” Dionne says. “How could I put limits on him now?”

Isaiah's mom is Dionne. At first, she wouldn’t let him play football. She thought it was dangerous. How could he protect himself when he couldn’t clearly see what was coming at him?

But then she thought about all of the challenges Isaiah had overcome. He taught himself to roller-skate. He learned to ride a bike. And he plays basketball and baseball.

“We’ve encouraged him to use what he has to the best of his ability,” Dionne says. “How could I put limits on him now?”

Last summer, Isaiah’s parents signed him up for a local youth football league. He did so well at tryouts that he was the second player chosen for his team. That’s when Isaiah’s dad, Bernard, told the coaches about his son’s eyesight. Up until that point, the coaches had no idea.

During the season, Isaiah continued to surprise everyone. The coaches were impressed with Isaiah’s leadership and talent. They made him one of the team captains.

Last summer, Isaiah’s parents signed him up for a local youth football league. He did well at tryouts. He was the second player chosen for his team. That’s when Isaiah’s dad told the coaches about his son’s eyesight. Up until that point, the coaches had no idea.

During the season, Isaiah kept surprising everyone. The coaches were impressed with Isaiah’s leadership and talent. They made him one of the team captains.

Isaiah’s team lost in the playoffs, but his season was still a success. He made new friends and gained new confidence. He also earned a new nickname. One of his coaches calls Isaiah “Vision.” Even though Isaiah doesn’t have perfect eyesight, he has a clear vision of what he wants out of life.

“Vision is better than sight,” says Isaiah.

Isaiah’s team lost in the playoffs. But his season was still a success. He made new friends and gained new confidence. He also earned a new nickname. One of his coaches calls Isaiah “Vision.” Why? Isaiah doesn’t have perfect eyesight. But he has a clear vision of what he wants out of life.

“Vision is better than sight,” says Isaiah.

Football isn’t Isaiah’s only passion. With the help of his family, he started his own clothing line, called Vision 2020. He’s also writing a book about his life. He hopes it will inspire other kids.

Although Isaiah is positive most of the time, he sometimes gets discouraged. But then he remembers that his differences have taught him to persevere.

“I see things differently than other people, but I can do anything,” Isaiah says.

Football isn’t Isaiah’s only passion. With the help of his family, he started a clothing line. It's called Vision 2020. He’s also writing a book about his life. He hopes it will inspire other kids.

 Isaiah is positive most of the time. But he does sometimes get discouraged. Then he remembers that his differences have taught him to persevere.

“I see things differently than other people, but I can do anything,” Isaiah says.

1. What does Isaiah mean when he says “I prove a lot of people wrong”?

2. What is the section “Beating the Odds” mainly about?

3. What is the meaning behind Isaiah’s nickname?

1. What does Isaiah mean when he says “I prove a lot of people wrong”?

2. What is the section “Beating the Odds” mainly about?

3. What is the meaning behind Isaiah’s nickname?