Danny Keefe is not like most 7-year-olds. Every day, he picks out a suit and tie and faces the world with apraxia, a speech motor disorder that causes him to have trouble speaking.
A year ago, the Bridgewater, Mass., first grader was being bullied by his peers, who made fun of his grown-up wardrobe and his difficulty speaking. So Tommy Cooney, a friend of Danny’s older brother Tim Keefe, decided to organize “Danny Appreciation Day” and asked Tim’s pee wee football team — which Danny was the waterboy for — to wear formal attire in honor of Danny.
A year later, Danny spoke to ESPN’s “SportsCenter” about his special day and how he felt when Cooney organized the Bridgewater Badgers to stand behind him.
Danny described his day as the “most best day,” and Tim added that he “doesn’t believe (Danny) has ever had a bad day since.”
Danny said he still has a hard time picking out what to wear in the morning because he owns “a million (suits) and as many ties,” but he is enjoying serving as the “water coach” for Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High School’s football team. With the support of his friends, Danny has a new, confident attitude about life.
