Wheelchair athlete full of determination

Two pushes and a dribble …

When we approach any story, we try not to have preconceived ideas. We try not to write the story the way we would like it to unfold, but rather we write after a news-gathering process.

Not surprisingly, we’re far from perfect. When we approach a story, we can’t help to think of the path it may take. That was the case when my son Matthew and I approached Craig Popper, an eighth-grade wheelchair athlete from Bangor competing in a Brewer Recreation Department basketball league against able-bodied opponents.

Matthew, an eighth-grader at the Brewer Middle School, does occasional youth sports stories for The Weekly. I thought this was another good chance for him to do a story – a type of “feel-good” story. I explained to him why Craig was playing in this league and the type of obstacles he may have encountered.

It wasn’t long into the interview that Matthew and I discovered that we were fortunate to encounter a passionate, determined, and intelligent 14-year-old.

Craig, who has cerebral palsy, explained the long process he went through to join the league last season. He talked of how it was difficult to play and practice with able-bodied opponents and teammates.

Given the obstacles and hard work he had to put in, we then asked him the obvious question: “Why do it?”

His answer will stick with me for a long time.

“I’m thinking long term,” he said, explaining he wants to play wheelchair basketball in college. “Also, there might be someone else who comes along who wants to do this. I hope that maybe I can help them.”

It’s not often you meet a 14-year-old who is already thinking about college plans. It’s even more refreshing when you meet one who thinks of others.

Two pushes and a dribble …

Craig Popper received some help in his quest to play basketball in a wheelchair against able-bodied opponents. His supportive family was number one.

In Brewer, he was fortunate to deal with a fine young professional who has a genuine care for our children, Michael Martin, Brewer’s recreation supervisor. Craig also was fortunate to have a supportive and understanding coach in Francis “Chip” Ware, who has poured countless hours into Brewer youth sports programs as a volunteer referee and coach.

Craig sought out the Brewer league because the wheelchair team he was on folded because of a lack of funds. He wanted to keep his skills up in case he had a chance to play on another wheelchair team. He may get his chance next fall as he had his first practice on Sunday in Augusta with a wheelchair basketball team, the LA Wheelers.

Craig had an intense and productive three-hour practice. The other athletes helped him with his skills and the coach showed him how to refine his shooting technique. He also gave him exercises that will help his game.

Since that practice, Craig has been diligent in doing the exercises. He wants to be on that team and wants to pursue his dream of playing on a wheelchair team in college.

Two pushes and a dribble … That’s one of the rules for wheelchair athletes in basketball. It’s how Craig Popper moves up the court – but it seems he has been several steps ahead of most of us already.

Sports editor Joe McLaughlin can be reached at 990-8229 or jmclaughlin@bangordailynews.net