This week my son will begin his third season with the Houston Hotwheels wheelchair basketball team. He loves sports more than anything, but he has cerebral palsy and had never been able to compete on a level playing ground. His team is sponsored by TIRR Memorial Hermann. They are a wonderful sponsor who pays most of the travel expenses to tournaments, provides uniforms, and overall creates a great culture for athletes with disabilities. Kids come from as far away as College Station come to play on the team. They have a prep team (middle school) and a varsity (high school). Most tournaments are weekend drives (e.g. UTA or San Marcos), but there are also out of state venues.
The Hotwheels have a proud history, even winning the national championship when they were led by Peter Berry. You can read the story of him and his brother here:
https://www.si.com/college/2023/05/25/berry-brothers-alabama-wheelchair-basketball-daily-cover
The Hotwheels' players can tell a ton of stories like these. Some were born disabled. Some had accidents or illnesses. There are amputees who can walk with prosthetic limbs, and kids who can never leave their chairs to get around. The Berrys just happen to be the most famous advocates.
But make no mistake. This is a varsity sport. The kids push themselves every week at practice, work out on their own, and get better for themselves and their teammates. Some of them even go on to play in college. But the best part, and the thing I love to see in my son, is that for the first time in his life, his ceiling is his God-given ability, and not his disability. It's basketball, and it's hard, and there are people quicker, stronger, faster, smarter, and tougher than you. But you can't know your limits if you can't compete.
Last spring his team got to play an exhibition match in Houston at the Final 4. Last week one of his coaches gave him a piece of the floor as a souvenir. We actually think he took a shot from where SDSU hit the game winner against FAU:
Here's a news story about the prep team:
https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/hotwheels-basketball-final-four/285-5f936b14-475c-42f7-8a1b-1d073f5b0612
Finally, since this is the Houston Board, some of you must know disabled middle school or high school kids who could benefit from this community. After my son competed in basketball, he got the courage to do UIL Track & Field as well. Last spring he qualified for the state meet in the 100 and the 400. He's building muscle, confidence, and relationships. Because of his work ethic, his teammates have a ton of respect for him, and he's just one of the guys.
So, if you know of anybody who might be interested, we could use some fresh talent (I've already told my son they're screwed if he's a starter, lol). Lemme know, and I'll hook you up.
I should add that the teams are co-ed in both prep and varsity. Our best girl from last season is now playing at Wisconsin-Whitewater. Our best boy went to the University of Arizona for Track & Field (he won the state championship in the 100, 2nd in the 400).
The Hotwheels have a proud history, even winning the national championship when they were led by Peter Berry. You can read the story of him and his brother here:
https://www.si.com/college/2023/05/25/berry-brothers-alabama-wheelchair-basketball-daily-cover
The Hotwheels' players can tell a ton of stories like these. Some were born disabled. Some had accidents or illnesses. There are amputees who can walk with prosthetic limbs, and kids who can never leave their chairs to get around. The Berrys just happen to be the most famous advocates.
But make no mistake. This is a varsity sport. The kids push themselves every week at practice, work out on their own, and get better for themselves and their teammates. Some of them even go on to play in college. But the best part, and the thing I love to see in my son, is that for the first time in his life, his ceiling is his God-given ability, and not his disability. It's basketball, and it's hard, and there are people quicker, stronger, faster, smarter, and tougher than you. But you can't know your limits if you can't compete.
Last spring his team got to play an exhibition match in Houston at the Final 4. Last week one of his coaches gave him a piece of the floor as a souvenir. We actually think he took a shot from where SDSU hit the game winner against FAU:
Here's a news story about the prep team:
https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/hotwheels-basketball-final-four/285-5f936b14-475c-42f7-8a1b-1d073f5b0612
Finally, since this is the Houston Board, some of you must know disabled middle school or high school kids who could benefit from this community. After my son competed in basketball, he got the courage to do UIL Track & Field as well. Last spring he qualified for the state meet in the 100 and the 400. He's building muscle, confidence, and relationships. Because of his work ethic, his teammates have a ton of respect for him, and he's just one of the guys.
So, if you know of anybody who might be interested, we could use some fresh talent (I've already told my son they're screwed if he's a starter, lol). Lemme know, and I'll hook you up.
I should add that the teams are co-ed in both prep and varsity. Our best girl from last season is now playing at Wisconsin-Whitewater. Our best boy went to the University of Arizona for Track & Field (he won the state championship in the 100, 2nd in the 400).
94chem,
That, sir, was the greatest post in the history of TexAgs. I salute you. -- Dough
That, sir, was the greatest post in the history of TexAgs. I salute you. -- Dough