For Eric Dompierre, playing basketball offers an invaluable opportunity to socialize, but despite his disability he may no longer be able to play come fall, all because he’s 19-years-old.
Dompierre has Down syndrome and was held back two years in school as a youngster. The schooling delay is causing the teen significant heartache now as he prepares for his senior year of high school.
That’s because Michigan — where Dompierre lives — does not allow high school basketball teams to include players that have turned 19. Now Dompierre’s family is lobbying the Michigan High School Athletic Association to establish an exception for students with disabilities that would allow the teen to finish out his fourth year on the team.
Several other states have similar allowances for high school sports and already a petition asking the Michigan association to change its rule has garnered more than 70,000 signatures. But the family appears to be facing an uphill battle since the association has previously turned down two requests from the Dompierres. A decision on their latest plea is expected in May, reports The New York Times. To read more click here.
What a ridiculous law! AS if age had anything to do with playing basketball. It is not as if he is 25 and much bigger and mopre developed than others on the team.
I owuld suggest that someone put these people in touch with Specil Olympics. At least there is no age limit and they have a big basketball league out here. I would presume that this would at least give him an opportunity to play the sport he loves while the bureaucrats waste time and money trying to make a decision aobut this.
It is strange to me that there is no money for doing things like this but w can pay professional ball players millions of dollars a year. How does that make sense? Why are there no funds for any kids to play more sports, never mind whether they are disabled in some way?
Our values are bass ackward and our money goes to everyone except those who need it!
I am a Special Olympics Coordinator. This young man needs to find his local coordinator. He can play with them till he dies. And it is fun and competitive and will help him keep up these healthy habits. I think most states have a state website and you can find the local program – name and phone number. Good Luck!
Amen Chris! I totally agree, these kids get left out all the time.
There is no indication of this boy’s level of skill. Does he have skills equal to or better than the average player, or is he allowed to play just due to the kindness of the team? In the first case, it raises the issue of other students who may also be 19 due to being held back a year as a young child (immaturity, late birthday, etc.). Maybe that is the solution. Change the rules to reflect reality. Holding a child back to improve his/her chance for academic success should not penalize the child as a senior. As long as the child is a “teen”, I don’t see a problem. The other issue, that of a disabled child who is invited to play for reasons other than skill, is something that parents need to think about. If there is a Special Olympics team where the child can play without the charity of others, until he/she decides not to play, it would seem to be the best choice for that child in the long term. Building a circle of friends that will endure is a positive thing. If a special olympics team is not available, and the child is not in danger, then I vote to allow finishing as a senior, provided ALL 19 year old seniors are allowed to play.
He should not be limited to special olympics! He’s a high school student playing high school basketball. He should be allowed on the high school basketball team. It’s nice that we have special olympics and all but a free society gives people OPTIONS.