Blind Hope

Rick Reilly, a great writer and author of multiple books, has found another amazing story

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3967807

Sometimes I find that things are just taken for granted. I complain about my contacts hurting, or joke about how ‘horrible’ my eyesight is with my glasses. Then this type of story comes up, and I realize what true pain is.

Matt Steven wants to be just like you and me, yet sadly he was born with both eyes having permanently detached retinas. This means he was born blind, and had to have is left eye operated and removed in fifth grade, and the same operation done on his right eye in the sixth grade.

Many people would be destroyed by this, having to go to a school for the blind, when all you want is to not be placed in that group but instead Matt went straight to his brother, and best friend, Joe. ‘Can I play on your basketball team?’ How do you say no to your best friend? So on comes Matt, with nobody having an idea how to work this out. And then the amazing began to happen.

Matt was fond of shooting, and Joe would take a cane and rattle the rim of the hoop. Then Matt, stationed at the free-throw line, would shoot free throws, nailing nearly 50 to 60 percent of them each time. So what did the team do? They went to the league and asked if Matt, who attends every practice and game, could be designated ‘shooter’ of all free-throws for the team. And, going with the theme of ‘where amazing happens’ the league said yes. Then the referees agreed. Then the opposing teams agreed.

Imagine the happiness which went through Matt and Joe’s mother, when nonchalantly they walk in with big grins on their faces. Their Mom asks: what happened?; Joe answers: Oh nothing, except Matt was chosen designated free-throw shooter of our team!

Now, end the story here and it could become the next feature-film in your nearest AMC theatre. But instead, fast-forward to St. Lawrence (Joe’s team), against St. Philomena. Down 8 points with a minute left, St. Lawrence makes a brilliant comeback and is down only 1 point with 10 seconds left, thanks to a great full-court press. Senior Ryan Haley hurtles all 6′ 4″ of his body into the lane, drawing a foul on his layup with 3 seconds left. Now, as the team captain and best player, wouldn’t he plan on taking the game winning free-throws? Wouldn’t the team want him to? No, without even thinking, Haley walked over to the bench and subbed himself out for Matt.

Now, Joe standing under the hoop rattling the rim, Matt stands at the free throw line. For probably the first time, the opposing fans are rooting AGAINST Matt, as the will to win is extremely strong. Some might say that Matt was ‘helped’ by his inability to see, as it reduced the pressures around him. I wholly disagree, as he would be able to hear, understand the situation, and realize how much rides on his shoulders. I’m even willing to say its worse, because he can’t see the faces of all those people rooting for him to win.

The cane clanks and clanks against the rim. Matt lets go of the ball, it floats through the air. Slam, it hits the backboard. Swish, it flutters into the net, sinking down like the Titanic. Tie ball game. The world is agog. Matt has a chance to win the game now. Clanking cane, slamming backboard, fluttering net, Matt just gave St. Lawrence the lead. The crowd is beyond speechless, they’ve gone into frenzy mode. People are screaming, Matt’s father has run onto the court, his brother is still standing under the hoop, and (unless some people forgot) there is still 3 seconds left in the game. St. Philomena did not forget, they threw the ball in, with Matt standing at the free throw, his father on the court, his brother on the court, and Ryan (the captain) on the court. It was a 8 man defense for St. Lawrence, and of course, St. Philomena missed the game-winning three.

Through the chaos, the St. Lawrence team mobs a crying father, brother, and the one boy who brought everyone together. Matt, now a school and team hero, has built up the courage to pursue anything, despite his impediment. How can you back down from anything, when he has a legitimate excuse and doesn’t?

Matt Stevens, he can fulfill his dreams, stopping at nothing until he reaches them. Now, will you?

(photo credit: http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3967807)

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