Professional Wheelchair Basketball

Clint and I took John Michael, Ben and Bekah to a Professional Wheelchair Basketball tournament in Milwaukee, WI on Friday night and Saturday. It was the absolute coolest thing I've ever seen!! These guys were amazing!
As the guys played, it was as if they were just like the rest of the world. When I looked at them I didn't see their disability, I saw the person. They played with all of their hearts and played for the love of the game. I was amazed at the persistance, determination and enjoyment that they all portrayed. One can't help but have a lot respect for each of them.
We were able to meet some of the players, which was so fun. They were all great and so kind. It's clear that each person has experienced tragedy at some level. Their attitudes towards each other and the people around them was wonderful. They seemed so respectful of everyone.
One amusing part was the number of wheelchairs in the gym. They were everywhere! Each player had two chairs with them. Their everyday chair and then their basketball chair. There were chairs and parts of chairs surrounding the basketball court. :) The great thing is that we had both of JM's chairs with us too. :) And to us it was such a natural thing to see.
The person we really wanted to meet was Paul Schulte. (with JM in the picture) He's a Paralympian, Gold medalist of the 07 Parapan Games, MVP multiple times, the list goes on and on. (you can check out his website by clicking on the link "Paul Schulte") He has a similar injury as John Michael. His family was in a head-on collision when he was 10 years old and became a paraplegic as a result of that accident. He also helped spec out JM's basketball wheelchair as he's an engineer for Invacare, the provider of his two chairs.

We were able to meet Paul on Friday night and John Michael was able to play a two on one game with him and another little boy. JM was so excited to meet him and spend time with Paul! We were excited for him! He's a gentle man with a big heart. And his wife is great too. I enjoyed talking with her. They were high school sweethearts. It was fun to hear alittle of their story.
John Michael's dream is to play wheelchair basketball in college and then professionally. Clint and I are in full support of this, especially after being with these guys this weekend! We were told several times by parents and players that JM has a lot of potential. :) That was encouraging. We were also able to meet the coach of University of Wisconsin's team. We were very impressed by him! What a great attitude!
JM didn't want to leave the games. We left during the last game because of our drive home. I think he was feeling very comfortable with all the guys who were in wheelchairs just like him. It also helped that they were playing the game that he learned to love too. He thoroughly enjoyed himself! :)

So once we were home and I was able to process all that happened at the games, my mind and heart went crazy. "Oh my goodness, I need to let go of JM some more." He is very independent but there are situations in the future that I think about... being in the jr. high youth group and the high school youth group. How will he get around on his own in other people's homes? How will he react when he won't be able to participate in all the activities? What about when the group decides to travel and he wants to go along? So many things to think about...
God says to not worry about what tomorrow brings. Take one day at a time. JM is doing great with his situations today and is so blessed with where God has him today. I need to be grateful for that and be ok with that. God is not going to leave my son alone... He will always look out for him!