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Player who was cut still has lots to offer

This is a story about a 14-year-old young man who has Autoimmune Disease. For some unknown reason this young man’s immune system has turned on itself and has been attacking his body. The result today is full-blown cirrhosis of the liver that is currently being treated with medication. The ultimate result is that he will need a transplant when the medications cease to maintain him.

The disease was discovered when he was 10. The damage found to his organs indicates that the disease had been active for three years with no treatment. The severity of the damage restricted this 10-year-old to the point that he could not even ride a bicycle as a fall could rupture his swollen organs. He had been playing football up until the illness was discovered.

After two years of weekly hospital visits, admissions, biopsies, endless drug trials, a weight gain of 156 pounds due to the steroids, he was able to increase his activity over time, which would include basketball. He could begin to be a normal, active young man.

He stayed back in school twice due to missed school and became the gentle giant of his school as he towers over his classmates. This young man is the most compassionate, patient, caring, outgoing, good-natured teenager you could hope to meet. He is mature beyond his years and takes life one day at a time. He has never said “why me?”

He went out for the basketball team and made it. He belonged, finally, to a group of his peers and for the first time was like the others. He went on to play for the travel team. Basketball became his passion! His coaches, Steve White and Pete Angel, watched over him, guided him, recognized when Anthony needed to sit out and mentored him.

Anthony’s love for the game grew. This year his dream was to see the Celtics playoff and it was one of the happiest days of his life. He tried out for the eighth-grade team and made it through the first cut. He was the last player to be cut at the finals and was told he just didn’t have what it takes.

Even though he had prepared himself for the possibility that he may not get to play, his heart was all in it. His not making the team broke his heart and ours. He is not deterred as he decided that he will play for any team, anywhere. His outlook and willingness to go on and find a team to play on is part of the driving force that will lead him to succeed.

This leaves a thought for all of you who have the power to decide when a young person makes the grade or not. Is it all about the game? Is it about recognizing the drive, the love, and the need? Is it about the love of the game and the contribution an individual makes to the overall team? Isn’t it about courage, strength and the willingness to give all you have because you love it? Doesn’t that kind of example only give synergy to a group?

Those decisions are hard to make.

When you are down to the last two who are probably pretty even, what is the deciding factor?

Only you can choose.

Maybe, just maybe, the need of the person, what’s in their heart, and the desire and what drives them will touch your heart when you make the final decision.

Anthony will persevere as he certainly had what it takes! To quote him when asked how he can stay up and be so brave he says, “Today is just another day, there is always tomorrow!”

I am his proud grandmother.

Proud Memere

Sandy Nichols

Monmouth

Guide, wardens excelled

I have a few comments concerning the article on lost hunter Robert Burtchell of Mars Hill (BDN, Nov. 26).

Registered Maine Guide Joe Carville’s tremendous knowledge of the Chapman area was of vital importance in this search. Joe was in the woods most of Sunday night before finally locating Bob’s tracks. Joe and Ed Crouse were, at times, crawling on crusty snow, following faded tracks in dark swamps, thickets, and blow downs in sub-freezing temperatures before finally locating Bob at 3:30 a.m.

I am convinced that Joe and Ed’s dogged determination saved our friend from at least another six to 12 hours, or possibly a third night in the woods, which surely would have caused severe frostbite or worse.

Also, a special thanks to Pastor Norman Finnemore and the South Hope Community Church and to Pastor Richard Bell and the Mars Hill Full Gospel Assembly for their prayers.

Finally, my hat is off to the Maine Warden Service, particularly Allen Dudley, Mike Marshall, Tom Ward and the rest of the wardens involved for their professionalism.

Tim Crabtree

Hope