Joe & Renae Ingles Invite Young Man With Autism To Jazz Game
Nov 1, 2019, 4:30 PM | Updated: 8:32 pm
Renae Ingles of the Thunderbirds celebrates her last game with husband Joe and twins Jacob and Milla during the round 14 Super Netball match between the Thunderbirds and Magpies at Titanium Security Arena on May 28, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by James Elsby/Getty Images)
(Photo by James Elsby/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah forward Joe Ingles and his wife Renae invited a 21-year-old young man with autism to a future Jazz basketball game.
Kerry Bloch or @dsmom58 on Twitter posted a special message about her son that Ingles responded to on Friday, November 1.
“My 21 year old autistic son has no communication skills,” wrote Bloch. “Today he asked me his first question ever. It was, “Would someone like me?”
The Jazzman responded, “Kerry there is 2 people in Utah that like your son a lot, my wife Renae Ingles and I! We would love to invite you guys to a Jazz game! Plz let me know & I’ll sort it out!”
Kerry, there is 2 people in Utah that like your son a lot, my wife @RenaeIngles & I! We would love to invite you guys to a Jazz game!plz let me know & I’ll sort it out!
— Joe Ingles (@Joeingles7) November 1, 2019
Fellow Jazzman Georges Niang tweeted about Ingles’ gesture on Friday and likened him to a superhero.
“Man how can you not love this dude!!” posted Niang.
Man how can you not love this dude!! Not all super hero’s wear capes they just wear the number 2 on there back and look like JOE INGLES! https://t.co/kojJ0gQDHJ
— Georges Niang (@GeorgesNiang20) November 1, 2019
The Ingles family announced in early 2019 that their son Jacob was diagnosed with autism.
Renae and I share with the world Jacob’s diagnosis with autism and where to from here for our family.
Head to @exclusiveinsight to read our story, or head to the link below!https://t.co/2WOZXM3vQm pic.twitter.com/UlKKtYyj1o
— Joe Ingles (@Joeingles7) February 13, 2019
Ingles and his wife have published an article about their son’s diagnosis available here.
More information about autism can be found here.
MORE ON INGLES:
- Joe Ingles Announces Son’s Autism Diagnosis On Twitter
- Ingles Wears Autism Awareness Warm-Up Before Australia/USA Game
- Joe Ingles To Sport New Shoes For Autism Awareness Night
Jazz Organization Sensitive To Those With Special Needs
The Utah Jazz have those with special needs in mind. As part of the renovation at Vivint Smart Home Arena, the team had a special room built for those with intellectual disabilities, so that they can enjoy the game environment in a sensory-sensitive manner.
"Vivint Smart Home teamed with the NBA’s Utah Jazz to build a sensory room at the Vivint Smart Home Arena, home of the Jazz, for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other intellectual and developmental disabilities."https://t.co/Vj7Q4reqmE pic.twitter.com/rHcaSYHK7S
— Vivint Gives Back (@VivintGivesBack) December 13, 2018
