Special night for a special kid on Pelham basketball court

 

by Mike Bourk from the Lowell Sun: PELHAM -- Like a lot of the other games in the course of an outstanding Pelham High boys basketball season, this one was never in doubt. Ryan Cloutier scored 19 points and the Pythons finished 18-0 in New Hampshire (20-1 overall) with a 70-30 dismantling of Prospect Mountain of Alton on Friday night. It was Senior Night for Pelham and coach Matt Regan added some nice touches. He started the fourth quarter with his five seniors and replaced them as a group at the first whistle for their final regular season time together. The move got the packed house cheering. And the loudest ovation at the "Snake Pit" was reserved for senior Bryan Doherty. Bryan has been the team manager for Pelham High School basketball and football for the last four years.

Good call by Missouri h.s. referee gives fan with Down syndrome a moment in spotlight

by FOX 4 Newsroom:
BARNARD, Mo. — One referee is receiving praise for an unusual  call he made prior to a high school basketball game last week.
Referee Don Lawrence invited a fan in the first row to toss the jump ball at the beginning of the game.
“He noticed Cole was wearing his referee jersey and whistle and he was mimicking the start of the game, things like that, and he had the idea that it would be a good idea if he would toss the jump ball to start the game,” said South Nodaway physical education teacher Aaron Murphy told St. Joe Channel.
The fan was South Nodaway freshman Cole Henggeler. Henggeler has Down syndrome and enjoys watching the officials, which made the referee’s gesture even more special for the 14-year-old.
“Being around Cole for long time now and seeing him at ball games, he has an infatuation with referees, he loves mimicking the calls, the fouls, loves having the whistle and it’s something we’ve done in the PE class with him,” said Murphy.
Henggeler’s mother, Carrie,  had a front-row seat to watch as her son helped get the game started.
“I’m really proud of Cole,” she said told St. Joe Channel. “He does great in academics, he does great in athletics and he’s just all around a great kid.”
The referee said he was happy to help.
“Very big thank you on behalf of the South Nodaway school, the crowd that was there it made their day not only Cole’s. It was a great thing to see. You know very generous of him in that idea,” Murphy said.

Coach Kevin Ollie donates $50K to build 'Kevin's Kourt at Jonathan's Dream Reimagined'

from West Hartford News:
With Coach Kevin Ollie looking on, 20-year old Jamie Roland, who has Down’s syndrome and six-year old first grader Sofie Turek, whose spirit is not slowed by a neurogenetic disorder, took the shots of their lives. Swish. Swish.

A third swish came from Coach Ollie as he announced at a ceremony at the Mandell Jewish Community Center, held Dec. 26, that his charity the Kevin Ollie Charity Classic is donating $50,000 to build “Kevin’s Kourt at Jonathan’s Dream Reimagined”.

Amy Barzach, co-founder of Jonathan’s Dream, one of America’s first inclusive playgrounds, said that “Kevin’s Kourt at Jonathan’s Dream” will be the first inclusive Bankshot™ basketball court in Connecticut.

“’Kevin’s Kourt at Jonathan’s Dream’ will help children and families, of all ages and abilities, discover the freedom of playing together without limitations,” said Barzach.

“Kevin’s Kourt at Jonathan’s Dream” will have up to nine stations created by Bankshot™, which has pioneered inclusive basketball play structures based on total-mix diversity and universal design.

Boy With Down Syndrome Sinks a 3 With the Harlem Globetrotters

ABC Entertainment News | ABC Business News

by ABC News:
Another dream came true for a Pennsylvania teenager with Down syndrome when he took to the court with the world famous Harlem Globetrotters.
Kevin Grow, 18, of Bensalem, Pa., scored a three-pointer alongside the Globetrotters in front of a hometown crowd Sunday night at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center.
Click HERE to Read More About Kevin
The three-point basket was especially poignant for Grow, who became a viral star last month thanks to a YouTube video that showed him sinking four three-point shots in the final two minutes of his high school’s senior night basketball game, leading the team to victory.
The video caught the eye of the Globetrotters who asked Grow, known by his teammates as KG3, to come play with his idols.
“He watches the Globetrotters religiously,” said his father Earl Grow.
“He’s always been a fan,” added his mother, Dorothy.
Grow hung out with the Globetrotters in the locker room before the game – performing some of the tricks they’re known for, like an under-the-leg dribble, right alongside them. But it’s not the first time he’s  hit the court with all-star basketball players.
Grow’s YouTube video also caught the eye of the Philadelphia 76ers who last month signed the high school player to a ceremonial two-day contract that gave him his own team locker, jersey and sneakers and a chance to warm up with the team and sit on the bench with the NBA team.
“Kids with special needs have a lot of abilities you don’t even know,” said Dorothy Grow.  “Don’t underestimate them.  Challenge them.”
“Make sure they can reach their full potential,” she said.

Globetrotters Sign 3-point Ace With Down Syndrome For Philadelphia Game

from CBS 3 Philly:

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Kevin Grow, a high school senior with Down syndrome who became an Internet hit with his 3-point shooting, will play next month for the Harlem Globetrotters.

Grow will suit up for the Globetrotters in the fourth quarter of their March 9 game in Philadelphia. Grow, a devout Globetrotters fan from suburban Philadelphia, was added to the roster Tuesday as their 3-point specialist.

He signed a ceremonial two-day contract last week with the Philadelphia 76ers. He took part in pregame activities, and received a jersey.

The 18-year-old Grow spent four years as team manager of the Bensalem High School boys basketball team. He played in two games, hitting four 3-pointers in the final 2 minutes of his second one, and highlights went viral.

Sixers honor Bensalem basketball star Kevin Grow

frome 6 ABC Action News:

PHILADELPHIA - February 18, 2014 (WPVI) -- Bensalem basketball star Kevin Grow made his debut as part of the Philadelphia 76ers, after signing a two-day contract.

On Tuesday night, Grow was introduced on center court with his new teammates.
Before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the teen was outfitted with his own custom jersey and a stall in the team's locker-room.
It was another memorable night for an inspirational young man.
The Sixers announced Monday they were signing the senior to a ceremonial two-day contract.
Signing the two-day contract capped an amazing week-long run in the national spotlight for the Bensalem High School senior.
Last week, Action News' Jeff Skversky reported on the 18-year-old whose story garnered attention from around the Delaware Valley.
"We said two minutes and you take advantage of your two minutes of fame. His life will be changed forever," said Earl Grow, father.
The teen, who has Down Syndrome, was the high school team's manager for the last four years.
Then, his coach let him suit up for the final two games of the season.

It’s Official: Teen With Down Syndrome Signs Contract With The 76ers

by Steve Beck and Dan Wing from CBS 3 Philly:

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A Bucks County teen who became an internet sensation after his amazing performance on the basketball court signed a ceremonial contract with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The 76ers announced that they would sign Bensalem High School senior Kevin Grow to a two-day contract Monday.

The contract was offered in-person by Sixers President of Basketball Operations & General Manager Sam Hinkie at the team’s practice facility.

Grow, who has Down syndrome, had been a team manager for the Bensalem boys basketball team for four years. But it’s what he did on senior night on the court that’s garnering all of the attention.

Kevin got to play, and when he did, he made magic happen.

“They put him in for the last two minutes and he started hitting three point shots and couldn’t miss,” Kevin’s mom said.

Kevin hit four 3-pointers in the last two minutes of the game to help beat Neshaminy 64-40.

Overnight, Grow became an internet sensation.

The 76ers made the big signing on Monday evening, as Grow was inked to a two-day ceremonial contract.

Sixers Head Coach Brett Brown seemed to warm up to his newest player pretty quick.

Brown – “Can you play defense?”

Kevin – “I can play defense, yes.”

Brown – “I know you can shoot, but you can play defense too?”

Kevin – “Yeah.”

Brown – “I say we give him a three-day contract.”

With that, Kevin signed on the dotted line and was handed his practice uniform. But before he could hit the floor, Coach Brown let the inspiring teen know that the team needed his help.

Brown – “You’re going to teach our young guys how to hold your follow through, and how to shoot like you shoot.”

Kevin – “Okay.”

Brown – “Can you do that?”

Kevin – “Yeah.”

Brown – “I know you can. We welcome you to the team man. Thank you for coming.”

Kevin – “Thank you so much.”

Rival teams come together for player with Down syndrome

from CBC News:
Cross-town school rivals in Charlottetown came together last week to give Cameron Gordon, who has Down syndrome, his first shot at basketball glory.

"It feels awesome," said Gordon.

"Like I'm super famous."

Gordon is a student at Birchwood Intermediate School, and decided this year he wanted to try out for basketball. His mother, Catherine MacInnis, had her doubts about whether he would make the team.

"It certainly has been challenging," said MacInnis.

"There are things he's wanted to do that he hasn't been able to do."

Gordon's disability makes it difficult for him to compete on skill, but when it comes to spirit, he brings something to the gym everyone on the team wanted.

Basketball gives boy with Down syndrome a chance to be more than special

by Holly Simon from Chicago Parent.com:
The Oak Lawn Special Olympics Basketball Day has to be one of my favorite days of the year. Not only because my youngest son, Nathaniel, gets to play basketball with his friends, but because I have the chance to watch an amazing team of young athletes grow and learn together.
My son, 10, started with the Junior Jordans when he was 8. Not only could Nate barely hold the ball, but dribbling down the court was an impossible feat. Now one of my greatest joys is watching him dribble the ball all the way down the court with a smile on his face that reaches from ear to ear.
I am the proud mom of five kids. I have been to countless games. From basketball to rugby and a decade of volleyball. But on this day, everything you may have thought about winning or losing goes right out the door.
This day is about happiness. It's full of pure radiance from a child who can barely walk but gets the ball in his hands and guards it with all his might. It's about the child that was lifted over his head by a coach just to make a basket. It's about teamwork where an opposite teammate shields a smaller child from getting blocked. It's about acceptance, awareness, love, excitement and pure, raw pride.

Owen Groesser makes 3-pointers & SportsCenter!

from ESPN:
Middle schooler with Down Syndrome, Owen Groesser, makes SportsCenter's Top Plays after draining two 3-pointers.
Owen Groesser enjoyed a night to remember, and took Twitter by storm in the process.
Groesser, a junior high student with Down syndrome, made a pair of 3-pointers in his school's basketball game Wednesday, prompting a Twitter campaign that resulted in a highlight on "SportsCenter."
According to ABC affiliate WXYZ in Detroit, Groesser had not played this season for Van Hoosen Junior High School, which was playing its season finale Wednesday.
But after entering late in the game, Groesser received a pass beyond the arc and sank a 3-pointer, sparking a wild celebration in the stands. Groesser also made another 3-pointer, finishing with six points in approximately two minutes of playing time.
After the game, Groesser's friends and teammates launched a Twitter campaign called #GetOwenOnSportsCenter, which trended as highlights of the game spread on the Internet.
The campaign was a success, as Groesser's exploits were featured on "SportsCenter's" Top-10 highlights Wednesday night.

Robert Griffin III Helped An 8th Grader With Down Syndrome Get On SportsCenter

by Cork Gaines from the Business Insider:

Owen Groesser is an eighth grade basketball player with Down Syndrome from Rochester Hills, Michigan. He had not played all season until his coach had him play the final two minutes of the team's final game. Owen made the most of his two minutes sinking two three pointers.

Friends and family then started a movement on Twitter to try and get Owen on SportsCenter.

One person reached out to Robert Griffin III through Twitter and RG3 forwarded (retweeted) the message to his 780,000 followers. And sure enough, Owen came in at #10 on SportsCenter's "Top 10" and later he and his father were interviewed.

There are a lot of bad things on Twitter. But there are also a lot of great things. Here's the "Top 10" clip as well as a shot of Owen and his dad being interviewed...

Colorado high school basketball player with Down Syndrome hits 3-pointer

by Ben Chew from NBC Sports.com:

Sometimes, the world of sports can provide heart-warming stories and this one about Golden High School’s (Col.) Scotty Lubkeman is one of those stories.

The story first begins with his older brother Brad Lubkeman who was a star for Golden in the mid-2000′s and eventually was the inspiration for Scotty to join the school’s freshman and varsity basketball teams. Prior to the three pointer, Golden head basketball coach John Anderson provided a prophetic comment in a 2009 interview about Scotty:

“The dream is not to score a basket in a freshman game. The complete dream is that he’s going to play varsity some day and score.” Anderson said.
  
Last weekend, the 5’9 senior guard with Down Syndrome has his moment in the sun in a game against D’Evelyn High. With less than fifteen seconds to go in the game, Anderson subbed in Scotty to give him a chance to score in the waning moments of the game.
After a free throw, Scotty got the ball from his teammates and lined up an open three pointer with less than three seconds remaining which he drained:

After the game, Scotty’s teammate Nolan Holmes spoke about what Scotty means to the team:

“We love Scotty,” said Holmes. “We have been teammates since our freshman year, so we have really grown up together. The biggest thing for us is he can really shoot the ball, so we we’re glad he got in a varsity game and hit the big three-pointer.”

Vols, Lady Vols Connect With Hoops For Hope

from the Chattanoogan by Stan Crawley:
The Tennessee men's and women's basketball teams participated in the game they love Saturday morning at Farragut High School. For the fifth-consecutive season, they celebrated that love of the game with youngsters from the Down Syndrome Awareness Group of East Tennessee at Hoops For Hope.
Started as a Boy Scout project by Trey Sexton to make dreams come true for parents and children of the DSAG of East Tennessee, Hoops For Hope has become an annual event that Big Orange round-ballers and their coaches look forward to as much as the youths whom they cheer and play alongside in organized games.

While Trey Sexton is away on a two-year mission trip, his father, David Sexton, said the torch has been passed to Trey's sister, Allie. She coordinated this year's event, and the roar of the crowd and the smiles on everyone's faces signaled that year five was another rousing success.

"It makes me feel really proud as a dad, because you try to teach your kids that if you desire to do good things, then there will be support for you to do that," David Sexton said. "So, it's awesome for us to see that we have the support of UT and the Down Syndrome Awareness Group to make this happen. It benefits not only them (DSAG), but everyone who is here at the event.

"I think it's really neat to see that these athletes who are so dedicated to a sport and have so much invested in that will take the time out from their athletic endeavors to come and support the community in a really simple, but powerful, way."

UT Head Women's Basketball Coach Holly Warlick enjoys seeing the response of the participants, both from DSAG and the teams.

"My favorite thing about this event is to see these young people have a smile on their faces," Warlick said. "They are having fun, enjoying themselves and they are playing with people they look up to on the men's and women's basketball teams.

"The athletes absolutely love it, too. They love to be around these kids and coming to this event. It's wonderful for our programs to once again be a part of it."

Vol junior Trae Golden said the event is very special to him and his teammates, because they have built relationships through the event.

"It's huge, because we come back and see the same people and how much they've grown and how much they love basketball," Golden said. "It's a great thing to give back to the community, and we couldn't be happier to be here."

"We play basketball every day, and we sometimes start to take it for granted. These guys - they score and are so excited. It's just great to see their enthusiasm."

Father of 19-year-old with Down syndrome: 'I couldn't be happier' son will be allowed to play as senior

 
from the Detroit Free Press by Mick McCabe:
 
The crusade is over. The Michigan High School Athletic Association is going to let 'em play.
An overwhelming 94% of responding schools voted to approve an amendment to the MHSAA constitution enabling students with disabilities to petition to participate as 19-year-olds.
"I think it tells us what to do," MHSAA executive director Jack Roberts said.
It has been a 2 1/2-year battle for Dean Dompierre, who wants his 19-year-old son Eric, who has Down syndrome, to be able to play on the Ishpeming football and basketball teams.
"I couldn't be happier," Dean Dompierre said. "It's a relief, after 2 1/2 years, to get some positive results from this."
MHSAA rules prohibit students from participating in athletics if they turn 19 before Sept. 1. It was the only rule in the MHSAA handbook not to have any exceptions. Michigan was one of 27 states that did not allow waivers to the maximum age rule.
But as the Dompierres became more aggressive in telling their story -- father and son testified before the state education committee in May -- the state senate passed a resolution encouraging the MHSAA to change its constitution.
"I think there was a concern that the legislature would try to write a rule and might write it badly but pass it anyway," Roberts said. "The feeling was if this was to be done, it should be done right. It shouldn't be any other state's model. It should be what we thought would work best in Michigan."
Beginning this fall, students with medically documented disabilities recognized by the Americans with Disabilities Act or Michigan's Persons With Disabilities Civil Rights Act can request a waiver to play as a 19-year-old if their educational process had been delayed before their enrollment in high school.
A student's disability must diminish physical and either intellectual or emotional capabilities and cannot create a health or safety risk to participants and does not create a competitive advantage for the team.

The waivers, which must be approved by the MHSAA's Executive Committee, will be for one year only and will allow students to compete in their first four years of high school enrollment.
Dean Dompierre began his campaign to add an amendment to the MHSAA's constitution when he realized Eric would be ineligible to play as a senior.
"I've spent hours and hours -- countless hours -- over the last 2 1/2 years sitting with a laptop in my lap, typing things up, sending things to people and receiving things from people. This certainly makes it all worth it," he said. "It's not just for Eric. It will be great to be able to see Eric play, but I'd love to be able to go to some other games to see kids who are going to benefit from this."
Roberts said the rule was not initially popular with school administrators, who were concerned over the growing number of disabilities and how the waiver process would be handled.
"I think the strength of the proposal we have prepared and has been adopted is this: There must be a medically documented disability before the student reaches seventh grade that has slowed the educational progress and is a direct cause of the slowed progress, and not just because the parents wanted to redshirt the kid," Roberts said.
Dompierre established a website ( letemplay.us) to present Eric's story. The website detailed the 23 states that allow waivers for students with disabilities to play as 19-year-olds and contained an online petition urging MHSAA officials to allow schools to vote on an amendment to allow a waiver.
"I never expected it to get as big as it did and to have as many people jump on board as did," Dompierre said. "The last I checked, it was over 93,000 people from all walks of life and all corners of the earth signed that petition. They had never ever met Eric, but they signed the petition. I'm sure there were hundreds, if not thousands, of letters sent to the MHSAA supporting these kids."

Watch ESPN's E:60 feature: http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=espn:7992850

teen with Down Syndrome graduates with standard diploma

from 12 WSFA.com by Beth Shelburne:

Allison Gabriel is a young woman who has dreamed big since she was little. This girl with a big smile is a lot of things--daughter, sister, friend to many.

Allison's strengths have always been the focus in the Gabriel house, because even though Allison has Down syndrome, her parents say it's no big deal.

"Not everyone in this world is perfect. In fact I don't know anyone who's perfect other than Jesus and so... She is who she is," Allison's mom, Susan, said.

 Allison had to work extra hard to pass her exit exams to achieve her goal of graduating with a standard diploma. But despite that achievement, when you talk to Allison, it's never about her.

When asked how she feels about graduation, she said, "It feels great... And I like to be with my sister."

"She does have a heart like Jesus," her mom says. "I mean if you do something to offend her and she gets her feelings hurt often, if you say I'm sorry it's over with."

This compassionate young woman rises to the occasion, because her parents, Susan and Harry, expect her to.

Whether it's a beauty walk or playing basketball at Northridge High School, anything Allison has wanted to do, they've encouraged her and asked others to give her a chance.

Susan says Allison's success is in part thanks to her community.

When Allison was just six weeks old, she started early intervention at the University of Alabama Rise school.

"I think living in Tuscaloosa really, you are kind of at an advantage because when Allison was born Gene Stallings was here so his son was here and it was just people accepted things better," Susan said.

Allison's classmates love her, and what a gift she's given them: a lifetime of open hearts thanks to their time together over the years.

"She knows no boundaries and knows no limits," her dad Harry said.

And she got there with grace and the strength of her family's unconditional love. A big congratulations to Allison. The skies the limit.

see the video here

Michigan High Schooler With Down Syndrome Might Get to Play Basketball Despite Age Issue

from Forbes by Bob Cook:
When the Ispheming Hematites 2012-13 boys basketball season tips off, a familiar figure might be at the end of the bench: 5-foot-1, 130-pound Eric Dompierre. Until today, May 7, it looked like there was zero chance that would happen, because the Michigan State High School Athletic Association wasn’t going to waive its rule that students who are 19 by Sept. 1 can’t play sports at member schools. This, despite Dompierre being 19 as a high school senior only because he started elementary school at a later age, a result of his Down syndrome.

However, the MHSAA issued a news release, following a spring meeting in the northern Michigan vacation hamlet of Gaylord, that opened up the possibility Dompierre will be allow to play.
Actually, the release made it abundantly clear that while the MHSAA is getting a lot of heat for not allowing Dompierre to play, it’s the member schools who have effectively prevented that from happening, and it’s the member schools who will decide whether that will happen. It also made it clear that it believed Ispheming High (located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula) hadn’t followed the correct process to get a waiver in the first place. Dompierre isn’t mentioned by name.
Basically, the release reads like something an organization defensive about its image would put out after being publicly pressured to do something it wasn’t planning to do. (I would have the MHSAA respond to that statement, but the release concludes by saying, in bold type, that the organization won’t offer any further comment.)
From the release:

The Representative Council of the Michigan High School Athletic Association, at its Spring meeting which concluded here today, approved a proposal for a vote by member schools which would change the organization’s Constitution to allow for a waiver of its maximum age limitation under narrowly defined circumstances.
Ballots will be mailed this week.  Schools have two weeks to return the ballots, which must be signed by the school principal and superintendent.  The MHSAA will post the wording of the proposal on its website not later than May 14.
…
Currently under MHSAA rules, a student who turns 19 prior to Sept. 1 of a school year is not eligible for interscholastic athletics.  Michigan is one of approximately 40 states which use this maximum or have a younger maximum age limit. The MHSAA’s Constitution, which can only be changed by a two-thirds vote of member schools, does not allow the maximum age rule to be waived.   Michigan is in the majority of states which do not allow waiver of the rule.
“We recognize that member schools have preferred a bright line for the maximum age rule,” said MHSAA Executive Director John E. “Jack” Roberts.  “We have prepared for a vote of the membership what we believe is the best alternative – better for Michigan than any proposal we have reviewed from other sources.
“The Representative Council does not advance proposals it does not want the membership to support, and an affirmative vote by schools is being specifically requested on this proposal.”
Based on member school input, the Council previously rejected proposals from the same member school district for a constitutional vote in 2010 and 2011.  The school district did not exercise its option to launch its own petition drive of member schools; nor did it avail itself of an athletic eligibility advancement provision in the MHSAA Handbook which allows for over aged students to have four years of high school participation with their age group.

To be fair, the MHSAA is a member organization, and if the member schools don’t want to offer a waiver, the MHSAA’s hands are tied. (That was the point of the previous conversation I had with the organization when I first wrote about the Dompierre situation.)
So the MHSAA’s release couldn’t be plainer. The MHSAA is saying, if Eric Dompierre is not allowed to play, don’t blame us. Blame the high schools in Michigan for deciding the rulebook is more important than one student and one school that isn’t seeking a competitive advantage, that just wants to revel in the joy of an inspirational figure who generally comes in when the outcome of a game is no longer in doubt.

CNN interview with Eric Dompierre - being banned from high school sports

from CNN by Ted Rowlands:

Eric Dompierre, a Michigan high school student with Down Syndrome, is told can't play sports because he's too old. CNN's Ted Rowlands reports.

Show your support, as over 80,000 people already have, by signing a petition to Let Eric Play

Read a prior article on this topic here.

Rally Behind Teen With Down Syndrome Being Forced Off Team Due to Age

from NESN from John Beattie:


Rules are rules.

That's what "they" say.

Rules are also meant to be broken -- that's what a lot of other people say. But what are rules, really? Rules -- particularly in sports -- are meant to keep people safe. They're in place to even the playing field and to allow each person, place or thing involved a fair shot.

Eric Dompierre wasn't born with an even playing field -- he was born with Down Syndrome. but he doesn't go home after school at Ishpeming High School to lament his handicap, he goes to basketball practice. At least he used to, according to UpperMichigansSource.com

Dompierre is being forced to sit out his upcoming senior year of basketball because of an age rule that the MHSAA has in place, stating that players over the age of 18 years old aren't allowed to participate in sports.

"I'd be sad if I couldn't play with them and not have them in my life. They want me to play, and I want to play with them," Eric said.

Dompierre and the Ishpeming school district have already submitted two revisions to the rule. Both have been denied.

"He gets a lot of his confidence from the fact that he gets in the games, and he has a lot of support, not only from people here in Ishpeming, but people from all over the area are supportive of him. If he's told that he's not allowed to play anymore, I think he's going to lose a lot of that confidence. And that's been a key to his development," said Eric's dad, Dean.

A third proposal is in the works as we speak. In the meantime, a petition has been launched by Change.com that you can sign (right now) to help this worthwhile cause.

Michigan doesn't have to look far for inspiration as Ohio's High School Athletic Association waives the age rule for students with disabilities. In fact, 23 other states allow students who suffer from disabilities to play high school sports after 18, as well.

So what's the hold up?

The MHSAA handbook has the rule in place for a reason. In fact, all handbooks have very important rules for very strict and ideal reasons. But this rule isn't one of them -- not when it comes to Eric, at least.

This isn't an argument about rules, whether you feel they're meant to be bent, broken, untouched or torched. This is matter of evening Eric's playing field for just one more year and not letting his handicap get the better of him, even if it's for one more high school basketball season. It's also an argument for all future student-athletes with disabilities to be able to at least enjoy sports and enjoy the lifelong lessons that come with teamwork, camaraderie and competition. What the state will sacrifice in rewriting a rulebook will not even begin to compare to the joy Eric gains from being with his teammates for one final year.

To sign the petition that will grant Eric one more year of eligibility, click here>>


update from The New York Times:

A third request, which was submitted March 26, suggests language used in Ohio and seven other states that include similar age-rule exceptions for students with disabilities, with no specific reference to Down syndrome. It could be the Dompierres’ best — and last — chance to change the rule.

Roberts said the “broadening definition” of disabilities led to a discussion of where the line would be drawn, and raised concerns about the potential number of waiver requests. Such an exception could open up the state association to allegations in court, he said, as the lack of an exception did in 1995 in an age-rule case that reached the United States Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. The association was a defendant, and the court found, according to Roberts, “to decide which disabilities should and shouldn’t apply for waiver put an undue burden on the association.”

Dean Dompierre first did the math regarding his son’s eligibility four years ago, after the varsity basketball coach saw Eric playing in the gym and said, “I’ve got him down as a four-year player.” Eric soon began attending off-season workouts and also joined the football team as a backup kicker. The basketball season ended in March, but Dean started preparing Eric for the possibility that his athletic career was ending when the second request was denied. He answered with more uncertainty when Eric would ask, “How are we doing with the law?”

Dean posted a petition in support of his son on the high school’s Web site on March 23. A week later, more than 70,000 people had signed it.

Dompierre has also sought help from Deborah Moore, the associate commissioner of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, who wrote her state’s age-rule exception.

In Ohio, if a student is considered disabled as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, the school’s principal, on behalf of the student, can submit an age-exception application, consisting of an outline of the disability and statements — to gather rivaling perspectives — from the principal and an administrator of a school that plays the student’s school in sports, outlining four main criteria: safety risk, physical advantage, competitive equity and redshirting.

“This is basically a rule of compassion,” Moore said.

Moore could not recall any cases in Ohio that had ended in court. Over nine years, statistics provided by Moore showed 24 disabled high school students had been approved and 16 had been denied, with one pending.

Roberts said the Michigan association had not specifically investigated the success of Ohio’s rule.

It is unlikely that a decision will be made regarding Eric Dompierre until May, when the association’s representative council is next scheduled to meet.

“Ultimately, the rules for Michigan high school athletics are not to be established by online petitions and they’re not going to be established by what happens in other states,” Roberts said. “It’s going to be determined by what the schools of this state want for its operation.”