20 Nov 2016 Life in Vilonia better than ever

Story and photos
by Sonja J. Keith

The Vilonia Middle School Football Team is lending huge support to a new student.

New seventh-grader Eli Hatfield and his family recently moved to the Vilonia area. Eli has Kniest dysplasia dwarfism, which can make maneuvering crowded school halls a physical challenge. Because of his size, Eli has also been bullied.

On his first day at the Vilonia school, Eli was approached by members of the school’s football team and made to feel welcome. He said that being a new student was hard, but his classmates made it easier. “I met Jesse Watlington on the first day, and we became friends,” Eli said. “He introduced me to the rest of the football team, and it’s like we instantly bonded.”

Sitting together at lunch, players invited Eli to join them. The team liked their new friend so much that they asked the football coach if Eli could be a team manager.

Of all his new classmates and players on the football team, Eli and fellow seventh-grader Ethan Cash have developed a special friendship. “We all liked him, and we couldn’t hang out with him all the time, we just talked to coach about it and he let him be our manager.”

“I guess they all thought I was cool,” Eli said, adding he was unsure at first. “They convinced me, and I said yes. I like it. I get to hang out with a bunch of boys.”

Eli said he knew a little bit about the game before being asked to be a part of team. “I know it’s a lot of boys throwing a ball and hitting people.”

Being a manager involves attending afterschool practices, filling up water bottles and helping out where needed. “It’s pretty cool and fun,” Eli said, adding that it is a new experience for him.

“I think it was really exciting and fun for Eli and the whole team to get together and give him a chance to help out,” Ethan said.

Eli said the football players have gone out of their way to help him. He said if the players ever hear that he’s being bullied, it’s not going to be good. “It’s like the whole football team protects me.”

Eli has a special story, explaining that before he was born, an ultrasound showed he had some physical issues.

“They told my mom that I would not live past three months, and they told them if I did live past three months, I’d be stupid. I wouldn’t be able to hear, walk or talk or do anything. I tell people, here I am 13 years later, and I’m a football manager and possibly playing basketball.

“Sometimes it makes me want to go back and ask, ‘What about that little boy that you said wasn’t going to live past three months and if he did, he’d be stupid?’ I’d give them a few seconds because I’m pretty sure they would say, ‘He should be dead.’ I’d tell them, ‘No, he’s not. This is me.’ I think it’s kind of unique to tell my story to people who believed I would be here and to people who think I shouldn’t be here.”

Eli said he has overcome difficulties, and every birthday is a milestone. “According to the doctor, I’m not supposed to be here now,” he said. “I’m pretty healthy. I do have hearing aids and arthritis in my knees, so I go get that checked out during the year . . . but other than that, I’m a pretty healthy kid.”

Ethan and others help Eli in the hallways and assist him with his locker and in the cafeteria. Eli, who has a “handy, dandy thing” wheelchair that he calls Bob, said he doesn’t let it hold him back and only uses it when needed. He said sometimes his arms get tired turning the wheels. “It’s nice to have the team to help me.”

Ethan points out that his new friend has great upper body strength and can beat others in push-ups. Eli also has an impressive “worm” dance move.  

Ethan said the team wants to ensure that Eli is not bullied. He said their families and the school have stressed the importance of kindness.

“No one stands for it (bullying),” he said. “If we had a little brother or sister, it’s how our parents would want us to protect them if they were getting bullied, too.”

“Eli truly is one of a kind,” said science teacher Lori Williams. “You would never expect such a big personality from a small boy. What’s truly amazing about his story in Vilonia is how his peers, specifically the seventh grade boys football team, immediately embraced him and welcomed him into our school. These boys do everything from getting him through the busy hallways safely, carrying his materials to class and taking him through the lunch line to get his tray. I just think this story speaks volumes of the character of our students at VMS.”

Eli said the Vilonia Middle School is very different from his previous school in another county. “I like it better than my old school. There were a lot of bullies,” he said. “Here, I haven’t gotten bullied yet.” And Ethan is quick to add, “It’s not going to happen.”

Ethan and Eli have a special bond that feels more like family than just best friends. “I love him like he’s my own brother,” Ethan said.

Eli has similar feelings for Ethan, his new friends and the teachers at Vilonia Middle School. “Life in Vilonia for me has been better than life ever has.”