Written by Tanya Terry, with photos by Tanya Terry
Tashina Black is a legally blind single mother of two children living in the Flint area who was diagnosed with hypoplasia.
Optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH) is a congenital condition characterized by underdeveloped optic nerves, leading to varying degrees of vision impairment in children.
She shared: “The condition that I have is hypoplasia, which means my nerves weren’t completely developed during birth. So, I’ve had this condition since birth. Some challenges I have are that I don’t drive…I’m actually supposed to use a cane, and I do use devices to help me maneuver throughout the community. We use public transportation. We use the MTA Your Ride.”
Black also uses a talking computer program called JAWS to help her operate a computer. JAWS provides speech and Braille output for the most popular computer applications.
She indicated she has some vision when using large print.
“I am a single mother,” said Black. “I have been since my son was 1. Being a single mother of two children, just being able to navigate through life, as far as being as though I can’t really do on my own, I have to get assistance, like as far as transportation is concerned. Also, due to me not being able to drive, there are some jobs I can’t take. Right now, I am not working. I am looking for work, but hopefully something home-based that I can do to get extra income.”
Black’s son, Gavin Banks loves soccer with an intensity and was recently invited to join the Genesee 2014 Boys Red National Soccer Club (named after the team’s birth year). He was asked by a coach at Powers Catholic High School to join the national club after the coach saw him playing soccer at a 4-day soccer camp he learned of because his older sister, 14-year-old Gabrielle Banks, was participating in a cheerleading camp.
Gain said: “My first time playing soccer wasn’t on a team. It wasn’t really on a good field. I actually played at school, and that’s where I got inspired at. When I like dribble and I like pass people, people said I should go on a team and stuff because I was super good. So, I went on a team.”
“The first day he went to soccer camp…the soccer coach was like ‘WHO’S KID IS THIS?’ said Black “I was like: ‘This is my kid.’ He asked: ‘Who’s team is he on?’ I’m like: ‘He’s not on any team. He just likes playing soccer at school during recess. He was like ‘OK’.’ But, after the soccer camp, the coach said Gavin was above his age range. He asked if he could stay for the next age range for 12-14 year-olds. I was like: ‘Well, he’s been playing for 90 minutes. He might be tired.’ But, Gavin was like ‘No, mom I want to do it.’ So, he stayed. He played with his age group and the age group above his group.”
On the second day, the coach kept complimenting Gavin on the way he played.
By the last day of soccer camp, the coach asked Black for their phone number. About a month later, in the first week of September, Black received a call. She was told that the coach had talked to a coach from the Genesee 2014 Boys Red National Soccer Club, who told her he was “from nationals.”
“He said trials are over, but as far as I’m concerned, your son is already on our team,” shared Black.
With the team, Banks shared he scored about five goals in each of the last two seasons. He has been in tournaments throughout Michigan and continued to enjoy playing in games since the tournaments.
“I’ve been to Ohio and a few states before, but I’ve never traveled out of state for a sport,” said Gavin Banks.
There are scholarships available for players to attend the tournament. However, they require parents to drive throughout the state and volunteer. Black is unable to do so.
Still, Banks and his mother have been collecting bottles and cans, as well as taking donations so that Banks can fulfill his dream. The mother and son duo need to raise $2,800 for the membership fee in order to do so, in addition to travel expenses for the Gatlinburg Spring Classic soccer tournament, to be held March 7-8, 2026 at Rocky Top Sports World in in Gatlinburg, TN. Although they have raised a good portion of of their goal, with their fundraising efforts, they still hope to raise $1,159 for his membership alone.
“I help my grandmother with housework, and she pays me too,” stated Gavin.
Black said “Gavin is very grateful for things, even small things. He’ll be like: ‘Mom, that tea you made me was delicious, and I really appreciate that.’ He’ll say: ‘Mom, you’re working so hard to help me.’ Sometimes it makes me just cry. At 10 or 11, you don’t think your children are paying attention to what’s going on. He said: ‘Most parents have sight, and they don’t do as much as you do.’ I told him as long as he remains positive, I would always support him.”
Black called seeing her son play soccer “emotional.”
“Sometimes I realize my kids are doing things I didn’t get a chance to do,” she said, while trying to hold back tears of joy.
“Sometimes I’ll say ‘Gavin, grandma’s going to take my place today because I don’t feel good. It’s hard for me to see you on the court anyway.’ He’ll be like, ‘Well, mom, I know you can’t really see me on the court. But, your presence there just makes me feel happy and makes me score.’ That was kind of powerful. Even though he knows I can’t see, he wants me there.”
Black feels participating in a sport will help her children learn leadership skills, give them a chance to travel and to be able to work with others, while learning patience, listening skills and resilience.
“I see an improvement in Gavin already,” shared Black. “He’ll control and regulate his emotions. I think there are so many benefits he’s getting out of playing soccer, and not just the game.”
Black added: “For me, the wanted outcome is for him to be able to get – of course I want him to get an academic scholarship. But, if he can get a soccer scholarship, that would be great, as well. ”
Banks, who is also into astrology, shared his own long-term goal.
“I would like to probably become famous so that when I famous, I can teach other kids what I have problems with so they can watch out for what I have problems with.”
Gavin also told the Courier what type of person he feels he is: “If I lose one game theirs always the next. I’m a really person that likes to learn new things, and I’m determined to do it.”
To reach Tashina Banks, call 810-814-4700.
