Down Syndrome Can’t Stop this Varsity Athlete
Posted by Ted Hopton on February 10, 2008
Talk about a great, inspiring story! Read this account, “A player who can light up a court,” in the Philadelphia Inquirer about a young man who has overcome adversity to become an inspiration for his peers, entire school, and beyond.
Brad Hennefer is not the star of the Cherry Hill High School East basketball team. But in many ways, he is its heart. He also may be the only boys’ varsity player in the country with Down syndrome.
As the school’s principal says, this is a great example of the power of inclusion in our educational system, mainstreaming students with disabilities instead of shunting them to the side. And as one of the fans present at a recent game, which ended with his team losing but with Hennefer hitting a basket in the closing seconds,
“Is there anything better than that?” wondered one man, nodding toward Hennefer, who was accepting hugs and high-fives from a legion of admirers. “There’s nothing better than that.”
I’m not sure there is, either.
(Photo credit: ELIZABETH ROBERTSON / Inquirer Staff Photographer)
Ted Hopton said
For another story along the lines of this one, see http://yaichablog.com/2008/03/15/super-athlete/