A playground bully was picking on Antonio Cedeno, 10, the other day.
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Antonio, who is severely autistic, froze as his tormenter swiped his beloved soccer ball and threatened to kick him. Things looked grim for Antonio.
Then a small, steady voice growled, “Stop that!”
The bully looked around. There stood Antonio’s brother, Orlando, all 65 pounds of him. His dark eyes flashed. The bully shrugged — and kicked Orlando.
Big mistake.
But first let’s jump ahead to the basement of Variety Village this week. Taekwondo master Jerome Cabanatan, a perennial national champ, is putting 20 of his star charges through their paces.
One of them is Orlando, 11, practising for his black belt test, which takes place in about two weeks.
Antonio — a year younger, but half again as big — patrols the sidelines. “Orlando! Orlando!” he hollers from time to time, just as he did when his brother won gold at the Toronto Open on Nov. 17. It was his first medal, but not likely his last.
From time to time, Antonio cannot contain himself and bursts out onto the black belt practice area. Patiently, Orlando leads him back to their mom, Michelle.
“C’mon, Antonio,” says the older brother. “It’s OK.”
“It’s really sweet the way they work together,” says instructor Avalon Crawford-Murrin, 17, herself a second-degree black belt. “Orlando’s always there for Antonio.”
Rarely will you meet such diverse siblings.
By age two, Antonio had still not spoken a single word. Tests revealed autism. Now, he can manage a word or two in succession.
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Orlando, on the other hand, excels in Grade 6, especially grammar and science. Here’s how he describes his relationship with his brother:
“I understand his needs and requirements and necessities. Well, of course I do. I’ve lived with him his whole life.
“I can see someone thinking it might be tough to have a brother like Antonio. But not me. I like it. I’ve adapted to him. I love playing with him. I know his limits and strengths. Sometimes I wish he didn’t have autism, but it’s OK, it’s fine. It is what it is.
“He’s my brother and I love him.”
The future? Well, Orlando surely will be a taekwondo master or a scientist. But he’s prepared to take care of his brother. “I already know how to cook. I hope he likes grilled cheese.”
The Cedeno brothers are a classic Variety Village story. The iconic sports centre in Scarborough is geared to kids with disabilities and half of its membership qualifies, but it’s open to all.
So, Antonio can take speech and occupational therapy, join an autism-friendly social group called Building Blocks, walk the fieldhouse track or swim in the Sunshine pool — while Orlando works on becoming the next Bruce Lee.
“There aren’t many places like this,” says Michelle, “where they can both find their passion.”
Which brings us back to that playground showdown. So, Orlando, did you take down the bully with your trademark taekwondo flying side-kick? Or straighten him up with a thundering hammerfist? No, that wouldn’t be fair, would it?
“No. I just tackled him. Then I told him to leave Antonio alone.”
Says their mom: “Orlando is a very good big brother.”
Yes, indeed. Black belt through and through.
HOW TO HELP
The Cedeno brothers are fine examples of the inclusion practised at Variety Village. Real inclusion, not the meaningless kind often preached by politicians. Antonio and Orlando and hundreds of other kids can be themselves at the Village, thanks to people like these latest donors to our Christmas Fund. Donate direct at www.sunchristmasfund.ca
Jacqueline Rudd, Alliston, $50, in memory of Susan Booker
Larry Seymour, Toronto, $1,000
Lorraine Joyner, Toronto, $250
James Irvine, Toronto, $50
Gerard Baribeau, Scarborough, $250
Leslie and Klara Baker, Oakville, $100
Mark Bonokoski, Ottawa, $100
Tim Peckham, Toronto, $50
June Hodge, Lisle, $500, in honour of Liam Henry
Rob Onyskiw, Etobicoke, $100
Anonymous, $40
Anonymous, $100
Allan Robinson, Oshawa, $25
Anonymous, $50
David Woodley, Burlington, $50
Vincent Fraser , Niagara Falls, $100
Derek Allan, Whitby, $75
Frank and Marg Gallo, Toronto, $50
Stef and Scott Seon, Toronto, $50
Marilyn Tannahill, Scarborough, $50
Russell Brown, Toronto, $100
Nancy and Wayne Marklinger, Bolton, $200
Robert Fleischman, Toronto, $250
Christina Down, Toronto, $100
Anonymous, $100
Erwin See, Georgetown, $100
Gerry Belisle, Toronto, $75
Anonymous, $100
Robert Jordan, Toronto, $100
Derek McBride, Toronto, $250
Bob and Nori Bainbridge, Innisfil, $100
Mary O’Sullivan, Toronto, $250
Barry Pound, Scarborough, $25
Anonymous, $100, in honour of Doug Creighton
Claris Chan, Richmond Hill, $40
Anonymous, $50
Anonymous, $50
Jim and Maryann Miller, Toronto, $100
Alessandro Greto, Oshawa, $100
Harold Cormier, Brampton, $50
Anonymous, $50
Anonymous, $100
Anonymous, $100
Anonymous, $100
Denise Carter, Etobicoke, $100
Martin Sommer, Toronto, $50
Grace Bruce, Toronto, $50
Gerry Verge, Toronto, $100
Elizabeth Shelton, Toronto, $500
Steve Rynard, Toronto, $50
Anonymous, $200
Gary McAulay, Scarborough, $100
J. Robert Baxter, Cambridge, $60
Doug Armstrong, Toronto, $100
Gord and Elaine Edney, Toronto, $100
Everett Lamb, Richmond Hill, $25
Andrew Bilicki, Etobicoke, $120
Victoria Anne Grainger, Scarborough, $25
Usha Shifrer, Ajax, $50
Briggs Wayne, Aurora, $50
Donna Conboy, Oshawa, $50
Robert Scott, North York, $25
Gary and Lorraine Ridout, Scarborough, $50
Brian Sambleson, Toronto, $25
Susan M. Seabrooke, Scarborough, $50
Allen Scott, Ajax, $50
Susan McCoy, Toronto, $100
Kim Reid, Scarborough, $100
Howard and Francine Birken, Richmond Hill, $36
Elizabeth Sutton, Brampton, $50
Andrew Faust, Toronto, $100
Daniel Terbenche, Toronto, $250
Cathy Austin, Scarborough, $30, in honour of Mike, Tulip and Variety Village
Carole and John Alexander, Ajax, $20
Wanda McPake, Toronto, $500
Maureen and Grant Moore, Toronto, $50
Barry Roden, Scarborough, $100, in memory of Gail Roden
Anonymous, $50
John Mills, Whitchurch-Stouffville, $250
Steven Fowler, Mississauga, $50
Stan Dean, Oshawa, $100
Nitin Khatri, Vaudreuil-Dorion, Que., $50
Arlene Moran, Vancouver, B.C., $50
Camille Laperriere, Burlington, $100
Juanita Burgher, Mississauga, $50
Sergio Iaboni, Richmond Hill, $100
Sandra Hunt, Oshawa, $50
Doreen Curley, Richmond Hill, $25
Andrew and Nora Gaspar, Toronto, $250
TOTAL: $10,021