Turning A Gift Into Dreams
MOORHEAD, MINN. ---- Concordia senior wrestler Ben Cousins was dealt a challenging hand in the game of life.
At the age of 2, Cousins was diagnosed with Full-Criteria Autism, along with PDD, ODD and ADHD.
When talking to Cousins, his ability to put a positive spin on anything negative is something to marvel at. He chuckled and said, "When the doctor was talking with my Mom she thought he said "artistic" and that I had some kind of gift. They clarified and broke it down for her by comparing it to Dustin Hoffman in the movie "Rainman".
Cousins mother, Kim, raised him as a single child until the age of 8. His father Tim became involved around that time and has been a rock in his life ever since. Kim never medicated Cousins; rather she used creative techniques such as weighted blankets and joint therapy to calm him down when he became restless.
Cousins has always been a high-functioning individual. Though academics do not come easy in nature, his work ethic makes up for any shortcomings. At times he will read over sections anywhere from 10-15 times to grasp the material.
He's a grinder, on and off the mat.
Cousins came out publicly about his autism the summer before his junior year of high school at Bloomington Kennedy. He had just qualified for the Fargo Regional Team for Minnesota USA in both Greco and Freestyle. His mother thought it would be good for people to know what her son was dealing with.
Relatively shy growing up, during his high school years he was beginning to solidify a group of friends. With a fresh confidence boost, Cousins was ready for the challenge of going public with his diagnosis.
Fox 9 News in the Twin Cities ran a feature on Cousins and his story spread quickly throughout the metro and state.
Cousins' success story has a message which should resonate with all of us.
We live in a society where social tags such as "gay" and "retard" have become normal adjectives when defining a person's character.
It's offensive. And Ben agrees.
Cousins views his mental disability as "not a disability, but an ability in a different sense."
In fact, he's not a fan of the term "autistic", because of the letters "i" and "c" at the end. Cousins would rather say "a person with autism".
His disability is in fact, a gift. A gift one can see in each and every move he makes.
Cousins is a person you would want to get lost with.
You read that right.
He possesses a traveler's thumb and has an uncanny ability to read maps and keep an excellent sense of direction even in unfamiliar places.
Cousins' gift has given him an exceptional talent when working with young children. He has used his "ability" to connect with people of all ages and has worked for the Bloomington Parks and Recreation Staff for the past seven summers.
He also has a very good memory. He remembers his personal record from each year he has competed in wrestling all the way back to when he started in sixth grade. On the mat, he has a high pain tolerance that would make others pass out - but it has assisted him.
People with these gifts tend to succeed in music, possess eagle eyesight and have astounding memory among other characteristics. Cousins' gift makes him remarkable.
Originally, Cousins had planned to take his gifts to MSU Mankato where he had planned to wrestle for the Mavericks. After going 28-10 his junior year and just barely missing the state tournament, it was apparent there was a future on the mat for Cousins.
Those plans changed on Christmas Eve his senior year with one phone call.
On the other line? Then Concordia head coach Clay Nagel.
The two connected instantly.
"He (Clay) was very personable on the phone," Cousins said, "his message was one that made me know they cared about me as more than a wrestler but also as a person."
Nagel came and took Cousins and his family to dinner to discuss what Concordia was about. By the end of the evening they had already booked an overnight trip to Moorhead.
Cousins liked the school, coaches and the wrestling program but one thing sold him above all else – Nagel's background in special needs kids.
Nagel taught a class at Concordia in the Physical Education program on teaching kids with special needs. He also had an extensive background working with kids and disabilities.
Cousins was hooked. A Cobber.
Cousins has certainly made the most out of his opportunities as a Cobber.
In the spring he will graduate with a degree in Dietetics and plans on obtaining an internship and then getting a job in the field.
Not bad for a self-described "chunky" kid, who grew up a WWE fanatic and was never physically active.
Cousins recalls not even being able to complete one lap around the track while running the mile because he would become so easily distracted.
Now, he runs several miles per day. Far cry from that kid who couldn't run the mile.
Cousins has made the most of his opportunities on the mat. This season he is 15-10 and looking to qualify for the NCAA National Meet for the second consecutive year.
Except this year qualifying isn't enough. This year he aspires to be an All-American.
Whatever happens on the mat, he's proud of his accomplishments.
"To be able to raise that degree in May and say I never wavered and switched majors will be incredible. With my Dietetics degree coming full circle and four years of tough school, it will mean a lot to me. I'm just thankful and blessed for it all."
Written by Sports Information Intern Austin Hawkins