Mute Orlando Magic fan, 4, speaks: Ryan Rodriguez loves this game!
I heard this story in the wee hours this morning via ABC’s World News Now. Apparently it also aired on yesterday’s Good Morning America and World News with Charles Gibson:
Orlando Magic helps mute boy find his voice
The boy’s name is Ryan Rodriguez and, reportedly diagnosed with selective mutism, he had never spoken more than a word or two until he saw an Orlando Magic game on TV, so his father Izzy Rodriguez shelled out $641 for Magic tickets rather than pay the mortgage:
“When we get there, he says, ‘Me, play basketball, here?’” Rodriguez said. “So I look down and dropped to my knees and said ‘What did you say?’ He said, ‘Me play basketball here?’ I said, Yeah.”
Hearing about this, the Orlando Magic gave the family tickets through the playoffs.
Hint to ABC News: This would be the kind of story that should include an embeddable video so we can see and hear to boy talking, which sounded adorable over the air. There is a video report along with the story at WFTV.com. It shows dad Izzy Rodriguez talking, but not his son Ryan, which seems like an oversight.
ABC’s TV version also included a funny kicker: Ryan now talks so much at home that his parents have already told him to be quiet.
It was so touching, it made me cry!
I don't know---I smell a scam.
I'm very happy that you don't know, since it's a very scary position not only for our son but for all involved. Just so you know, the therapist, Teachers and Doctors were all contacted. The situation of selective mutism when they told us was not only scary but not much medical information is known about this.
As Ryan's dad, I am sad that you would even think it's a scam...but there is always someone who would make a positive into a negative. I do THANK the Orlando Magic staff for not thinking negative in any way and no matter what anyone thinks in your negative world....Ryan is speaking and continues to speak and it's all about Ryan and not about you....We are excited for him. There is a God.......!!!!!