Chapter 16: A Football? But It’s Not Round begins by highlighting the pilgrimage of Aghdas Kavandi, a mother from Iran, to the shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad, a revered site for millions. Aghdas’s journey was driven by her deep concern for her son, Kaveh, who was born profoundly deaf. Initially, she believed that his condition was a result of her fall during pregnancy, but this belief was later corrected when a genetic connection to deafness in the family was discovered. Despite this newfound understanding, Aghdas’s fears for her son’s future persisted, worrying that he would struggle to live independently or build meaningful relationships. Her pilgrimage to the Imam Reza shrine was an expression of her hopes for healing, consistent with the traditional Shiite practice of seeking divine intervention for personal challenges.

Kaveh, born in 1963 in Tehran, was a cheerful child, but his life was altered when his inability to hear became noticeable to his peers, leading to isolation and rejection. The memories of this rejection stayed with him well into adulthood. However, his parents enrolled him in a school for the deaf, where he faced strict discipline but also learned a combination of gestures and lip-reading known as cued speech. Despite struggling academically, Kaveh found comfort and camaraderie playing soccer in 1960s Tehran’s cosmopolitan environment. He formed friendships with German expatriates, who taught him advanced soccer techniques, offering him a sense of belonging and purpose in a world that often felt isolating.

Kaveh’s talent in soccer allowed him to use his deafness to his advantage, as it provided him with an extraordinary ability to focus on the game. Despite his success on the field, his mother’s anxiety about his future persisted, and she sought medical advice in Paris, where doctors confirmed that his deafness was permanent. This confirmation did not deter Aghdas, however, as she continued to pursue educational opportunities for Kaveh. Eventually, she decided to send him to the American School for the Deaf in Connecticut, though this plan was met with resistance from Kaveh’s father, who expressed concerns over his son’s safety and well-being in the United States. A financial setback for the family eventually made Kaveh’s trip possible, and he left for the U.S. with another deaf boy, both facing a new world and new challenges.

Upon arriving in Connecticut, Kaveh’s initial experience was a humorous and confusing encounter with American football, a sport that seemed strange and unfamiliar to him. However, despite his initial doubts, Kaveh grew to admire the game. At the American School for the Deaf, he was initially intimidated by the advanced sign language skills of his peers but soon discovered a passion for football. His natural athleticism and drive allowed him to adapt quickly and excel in the sport, eventually becoming a standout player. Kaveh’s journey reflects not only his personal growth but also his ability to overcome challenges and transform them into opportunities, both on and off the field.

After graduating, Kaveh moved to California, where he worked a variety of jobs and eventually won a lawsuit against an employer who had discriminated against him. Over time, he built a successful life, culminating in a teaching position at the California School for the Deaf in Riverside. Aghdas, filled with pride, visited her son and saw firsthand the fruits of her sacrifices. Kaveh’s achievements brought her peace, reinforcing her faith in her prayers and providing her with the reassurance that her son’s future, once uncertain, was now filled with success and purpose. Through his accomplishments, Kaveh not only validated the hopes and dreams of his mother but also forged a path that would inspire countless others in the deaf community.