A football dream come true on Homecoming day

High School Homecoming. It means cheerleaders, marching bands, and the home team running through a banner when they are introduced.

For some boys the highlight of the entire year is playing in that game. For others, like 10-year-old Tommy Parzymieso, his dream come true is just being part of the team.

Tommy has Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy. It's a degenerative muscle disease that causes severe muscle lose. It effects 1 in 5,000 boys in the world.

That's why today, and for the past 5 years on national Coach to A Cure Day, Tommy joined Head Varsity Coach, Craig Dena, and the Orchard Park Quakers, as an honorary captain.

"We love Tommy when he comes out for the games. He comes out for the coin toss," Head Coach Craig Dena said.

While Tommy's focused on the game, his family raffles off baskets to raise money for MD research. Even the J-V cheer team chips in by walking the stands to ask for donations.

Tommy was born a healthy child. His parents believed he was going to live a normal life.

"You have every reason to believe that they are going to grow up to play in the NFL someday, which is what Tommy's dream is," his mom, Susan Parzymieso, said.

But when Tommy was two. His life changed forever.

"Once you get the diagnosis you realize some of your dreams may have to become different dreams for your child," his mom said.

The disease starts at the legs and moves its way up the body. Usually boys aged 9-12 lose the ability to walk. However, doctor's say 10-year-old Tommy is doing better than most boys his age.

"You know science and the world tells us he has certain limitations. We tell him he doesn't have limitations," his mom said.

Tommy may not ever be able to suit up as a Quaker, he will always be a part of the team.

"Tommy is going to be a member of our football family for a long time," Coach Dena said.

So even with the odds stacked against him, he still manages a smile. And you'll probably find him with a football in his hand, maybe pretending it's him on the field during the Orchard Park homecoming game.

He is fully 100 percent a quaker. It's in his blood," his mom said.
 

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