BETHLEHEM, Pa. — This will happen years from now, long after he has aced the high school AP exams this week, and after he has perhaps earned the rank of Army Maj. Brody Muthard or Air Force Lt. Col. Brody Muthard or some such rank.
The children with autism getting intervention and therapies at the Colonial Intermediate Unit 20 will ask about the name on the plaque in their playground.
And they will be told the inspiring story of a young boy who years earlier faced challenges just like theirs head-on with the help of the incredibly caring and skilled folks at the I.U.
"I hope the playground helps them like (the I.U.) helped me.”Brody Muthard, Eagle Scout candidate
They will hear how his gratitude to the I.U. ran so deep that he chose as his Boy Scouts Eagle Scout project to create the very playground they enjoy today, from concept to conclusion.
After 24 months of planning and creating and lobbying and fundraising and dreaming, and after two solid months of backbreaking work last fall, Muthard’s playground finally swings and slides into action today, May 16.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 1 p.m. at the Linden Street location.
“All I hope is that those kids just enjoy it,” Muthard, 17, a Nazareth Area High School junior, said.
“If that’s what happens, that will be the most rewarding part for me — for them to play and have fun. I hope the playground helps them like [the I.U.] helped me.”
'It looks really good'
I.U. Director Christopher S. Wolfel called the playground project one that was entirely born of Brody’s vision.
“He committed everything to this project,” Wolfel said. “From the sensory walkway, because autistic children have sensory needs, to a big playground with slides and swings, to the [wooden] train.
“Brody wanted the kids to have fun and a safe place to play.”
“My dad has had quite a few dad moments Like, ‘I’m not crying! You’re crying!’Brody Muthard
Wolfel recalled Brody’s commitment to safety early in the project.
“When we first looked at the site, Brody saw a Plexiglas pipe in the ground that years ago served a purpose for kids to play in,” he said.
“But today, it’s not up to code. Brody felt kids could hurt and said it had to go. We told him that would cost more money to remove. He said, ‘I don’t care. It has to go.’”
The 1,300-square-foot, grass-covered playground for the 40 children with autism ages 3 to 7 is an oasis.
It consists of a sensory walkway that borders four exit doors that lead the children onto the playground.
The area in front of a red shed in the yard houses a wooden train that Muthard built, sanded and stained using non-pressure-treated wood.
The train is surrounded by buddy benches.
To the rear of the shed is a Lifetime Castle Playset that has three swing sets geared to the children’s size and protected by a railing.
Play portions of the area are coated with rubber mulch for safety.
“It looks really good,” Muthard said. “We were finished in December, but went back recently to do finishing touches that took a couple hours.
“The project went ridiculously fast. We were there every single day and every weekend for two solid months.
“I had lots of help; my mom and dad, members of my troop and even people I didn’t even know coming to help on weekends.”
Asked his parents’ feelings on the generous playground project he has created for autistic children, Muthard said they are extremely proud of him.
“My dad has had quite a few dad moments,” he said. “Like, ‘I’m not crying! You’re crying!’”
'It doesn't happen if not for Brody'
Even when the project was slowed by challenges, Adam Muthard said, he was confident his son, as has been the case throughout his life, would find a way.
“I always assumed he’d be able to overcome a lot of things,” the father said. “Brody’s a smart kid; he’s able to adapt and succeed in everything.
“I just know Brody is happy the playground is going to be put to good use for those kids.”
“One person donated $1,000. I looked at that and thought, ‘Did you mistype $10?’ They just wanted to help.”Adam Muthard, Brody's father
Muthard was especially thankful to those who donated not only their time but money to the playground.
“Our GoFundMe site raised $16,000,” he said. “The money was from past coworkers, teachers and random people I didn’t know.
“One person donated $1,000. I looked at that and thought, ‘Did you mistype $10?’ They just wanted to help.”
Sometime this summer, Muthard will be rewarded for his playground project with an Eagle Scout badge and medal, an achievement earned by only 6% of all Boy Scouts.
Special — much like the scout himself.
One young man’s desire and effort to give back to those who helped him when he needed help most has already begun paying dividends.
“What’s really cool is I just got an email from Action Karate, where Brody takes lessons,” Wolfel said. “They want to donate $1,000 to our Early Learning Center.
“This doesn’t happen if not for Brody.”
Or those caring folks at the I.U.
And so today, Brody Muthard honors those who were so instrumental in his past, the folks that helped lay a foundation for his future.
As he focuses on that promising future, be it in the military or elsewhere, one thing is certain:
He will never forget to look over his shoulder with gratitude.
