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.

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