Hockey Game

One of Mikey’s favorite things to do is see sporting events live.  Our favorite hockey team is the New York Islanders, and they play at UBS Arena on Long Island.  It is a newly-build facility with sensory rooms, individual restrooms for people with special needs and it has spacious corridors, so Mikey doesn’t get too overwhelmed.

These games are big adventures for Mikey, so he only goes to one or two each year.  We always choose a day game, so we don’t disrupt the vitally important sleep schedule. We have him wear his biggest, most-sound-blocking-est headphones and a hoodie on top of them.

In addition, we have a routine to provide comfort.  We skip the shuttle bus from the parking lot to the area and we walk instead.  This lets Mikey stretch his legs after a long car ride and get him ready to sit still in his seat for the game.  Once inside, we keep the routine the same. As we pass the special needs restroom, I ask if he needs the bathroom.  We either use it or don’t, depending on his answer.  Then, it’s on to the concession stand to get a cheeseburger, fries and a water.  Then, we head to our seats and eat while we watch warm-ups.  I usually put some candy and Mikey’s enzymes (which help him with digestion) in my coat pockets so that we have what we need to make it through the game.  At some point, we usually get up, use the bathroom and go get a vanilla ice cream with sprinkles and return to our seats for cheering, singing, dancing and lots of smiling.