SAN FERNANDO, Calif. — More than a year ago, as the pandemic hit, several sporting activities were canceled. For Joseph Rojas, who was starting basketball season, this meant his practices and games were forced to come to a stop. 

Rojas, who is intellectually disabled, plays several sports with Special Olympics throughout the year. He told Spectrum News he's been ready to go back. Luckily, he's recently had the chance to do so.

"It gets him out, and it gets him to see his friends again," said Joseph's father, Juan Rodríguez. "I know that he loves it, and we love taking him, watching him and having him be active again."  

When Rojas' practices were canceled,  he kept busy by working out in his backyard. No one expected the shutdown to last so long.

Rodríguez said his son eventually started spending more time isolated in his room.

"It's just different for him, so it took him a long time to adjust to that," he said.

Practices for Rojas and his fellow athletes began at the end of June, and at this point, athletes are taking part in a training group — one hour of weekly conditioning at an outdoor park.

But for Rojas that's just the start. In fact, he already has a bucket list going that includes theme parks and a Dodgers game. Rojas said he "would love to go to a Lakers game," adding that he's "also going to Las Vegas in August."

He's wasting no time making up for lost time.