Case Western Reserve University midfielders Beth and Cara Stepanczuk have scored multiple goals on the soccer field at Case, but none have been as important as the kicks shared with their older brother Aaron off the field.

"During our games and at halftime our parents will kick the ball around with him," said Cara. "That's entertainment for him because during the game he can't see us play, but he can at least feel the ball and remember what we are doing."

Memory is a sense Aaron, 22, definitely cherishes. He was born blind and developed a hearing impairment at age 11. Aaron also is mentally disabled, but his sisters' love for their brother and their sport has inspired him.

"I think his coming to our games got him motivated to play sports," Beth said. "He always wanted to know when it would be his turn, so we got him involved in activities he could do and that we could come and support him in."

Aaron has participated in a number of sports, including tee-ball, in leagues for disabled athletes. He has even learned the basic skills of soccer with the help of his sisters and an Illinois recreation association for the disabled.

"We actually worked for the special recreation association that summer so we could tailor the lessons to his abilities. We wanted to make sure that he'd enjoy it," Cara said. "Skills like dribbling and passing were really difficult to teach him, but it was still a lot of fun. And I think he has improved."

The identical twins and their brother from Munster, Ind., also share their mutual love for sports during the Special Olympics, where Aaron is a regular in both long and short distance swimming events.

"We have been going to the Special Olympics for as long as he has been in it but didn't think to volunteer until last year," Beth said. "It is 10 times better than sitting there watching it. Working so closely with the athletes was inspiring."

Parents Paul and Janice, along with Aaron, have been regulars at the girls' soccer matches since the twins started playing nearly 14 years ago-and have driven the roughly six hours from Munster to University Circle multiple times to watch the Spartans.

"It's so cute," Cara said. "Our whole family comes, just like they've always done. And now they all wear their Case t-shirts. It's really nice to have them there to support us."

The twins said having Aaron on the sidelines is a constant reminder that pure determination, hard work and a lot of fun can conquer any obstacle. Whether it's preseason conditioning, a ball off the post or a kick in the shin, the girls realize that taking their brother's approach to life makes tough times a breeze.

The Stepanczuk girls try to model their lives after their brother-staying positive and always smiling-on and off the field.

They and the Spartans are doing a lot of that lately on the field. Beth and Cara are both starters on a team that is 3-1-1.

"We always consider ourselves lucky," Beth said. "Aaron has so much to offer us besides encouragement. He is a great storyteller and has a great sense of humor."

Return to the online edition of the 10-9-03 Campus News.