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RALEIGH, N.C. — Fandom is a passion for at least one person in our state.
A teenager had the time of his life meeting the men in Wolfpack Red.
Luke Girardin found himself at the epicenter of his favorite school Friday afternoon: N.C. State.
Girardin loves the Wolfpack, and got to meet the basketball team.
“It doesn’t take him being in a room more than two minutes. Everyone’s in love with Luke, and you just can’t not love that kid,” his mother, Kami Girardin, said.
This teenager was visibly over the moon with joy before walking into the Lenovo Center to be introduced to the Wolfpack.
Luke’s parents learned he was diagnosed with alopecia, a skin condition, and Down syndrome — a condition marked by developmental delays and intellectual disabilities.
His mom and dad said this wouldn’t have happened without the help of Dream On 3, a nonprofit based in Charlotte, connecting young girls and boys with their dreams through sports.
The 16-year-old high-fived the players and let them know how much he loves them in his own way.
Rob Girardin, his father, said his son is one of a kind.
“He does his own thing. But he’s just, his happiness is infectious and contagious, and he just makes everyone around him smile,” Girardin said.
His mother said without giving him many details, her son knew something special was happening Friday.
“People are just drawn to Luke. He’s drawn to them, and you can’t not be drawn to him. I honestly never saw anyone in his 16 years treat him badly. He just makes everyone smile and ends up with high-fives and hugs everywhere he goes,” Kami Girardin said. “Luke loves people, love sports, loves N.C. State. So this is just an amazing opportunity for him to meet the team, meet the coach. He’s never got to do that.”
But no medical diagnosis on earth can contain the excitement shining in his eyes and the look on his face.
“It doesn’t take him being in a room more than two minutes. Everyone’s in love with Luke, and you just can’t not love that kid,” Girardin said.
Because this young man had the time of his life.
While he’s short on words, you don’t have to hear him talk to know how he feels because you can see it.
His family said the team embraced him with open arms.
“We’re just very grateful for the team at Dream On 3 to give Luke this opportunity. It’s just an awesome day. We are big Wolfpack fans and just love to be able to share with everyone and the family, and especially have Luke be able to have this opportunity to have just a great day and (a) great, great dream for him,” Rob Girardin said.
Luke will also attend two games this weekend. Saturday’s men’s game against Virginia and Sunday’s women’s game against Cal.
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Patrick Thomas
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