Let me win.  But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt. –Special Olympics Oath

A made basket. An electrifying smile.  A miracle in the making.  

Tim Mullin and Dave Ficca have been coaching in the Unified Basketball League of the Montgomery County Special Olympics for the past twenty years.  And every Saturday afternoon in January and February,  they transform the Blessed Sacrament Gym in Northwest Washington, DC into a little slice of heaven on earth.

Each person in the gym is unified in a single purpose.  There are dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers.  Caring and compassionate parents.  And, of course, a large group of adult athletes with intellectual, physical, or developmental disabilities, vying for their one shining moment!

This is not just a basketball game.  This is a transcendent experience manifesting the essence of determination and sheer will.  The challenges these athletes and their loved ones face are immense.  So the payoff is even sweeter.  There are no golf claps or apathetic nods when the ball goes through the hoop.  Each basket is greeted with thunderous applause from the stands and intoxicating smiles from the athletes.  This game matters.

Why?  Because there is  a palpable sense of appreciation earned through struggle.   Every athlete in the building has dealt with adversity on an unimaginable scale.  And every parent in attendance has  battled alongside their son or daughter in the trenches.  So every shot is a minor miracle.  Every shot is the definition of resilience!

Meet the Athletes

The athletes warm up for a miracle

Ziyah “Z” Somay has been battling his entire life.  Born deaf and with cerebral palsy, he struggled to overcome his setbacks.  But he persevered and had a great attitude throughout his childhood.  Then, in 2010, Ziyah had his wisdom teeth removed.  A routine procedure led to infection and painful dry socket.  The pain and after effects had a neurological impact which morphed into psychosis.   Yet another major obstacle!

His mother, Christina, struggled to find the right doctor (many of the best psychiatrists are in such high demand).  It was a devastating time.  But these were the cards that were dealt.  And there is no folding this hand!  Resilience! 

Together, the family battled through the challenges together.  They found medicine that eased the mood swings and the pain.  They found new meaning in simple activities.  They found hope.  Today, “Z” takes music lessons, paints, volunteers for various organizations, and, yes, plays basketball.

The cerebral palsy has left his knees riddled with arthritis.  His balance is off and he struggles to get down the court.  But he does.  He may fall down.  He may miss.  But that ball always sails toward the hoop with hope.  And when the ball goes in, pandemonium ensues and the joy fills every part of his being.  Why not?  Only those who have been through the struggle can truly appreciate the simple miracle of a made basket.

And “Z” is not alone.  His friend, Andrew Jarman, had to overcome similar obstacles.  Andrew’s mother, Debbie, recalled the story of adopting him out of an orphanage in Russia.    He had major congestion and a double ear infection.   But it was not until they got back home that they discovered he was deaf.  And he had some developmental difficulties.  Again, you have to play the cards you are dealt.  Andrew received an education.  He has a data entry job.  And, indeed, he plays basketball!

Andrew cannot speak.  But he can smile.  And he can show emotion.  And to see him glide down the court and make a basket is a thing of beauty.  And that brings a smile to everyone’s face!

It’s All About Resilience

“Z”, Andrew, and the rest of the athletes and their families have real struggles.  It would be cliche to suggest one basketball game, one shot, would wipe all that away.  Life is not always like the movies.  There is pain, and heartbreak, and sadness and moments of despair.  There is loneliness and frustration.

But these little moments of joy that fuel the engine of resiliency.  Everyone deserves some relief.  Everyone deserves some reward for their struggle.  Everyone deserves a moment when all seems right with the world.

Tim Mullin, Dave Ficca and countless other volunteers set the table.  The athletes muster the courage to stay resilient.  The families offer the support and encouragement to make it all possible.  And for one shining moment, “Z”, Andrew, and the rest of the athletes and their families experience a miracle.  That is resilience.  And that is worth celebrating.

What Does It Mean For Us?

What can a day at Unified Basketball teach us?  How does this foster resilience in our own lives?

How many times do we experience unbridled joy in the simple things in life?

How many times do we see everyone in one place rowing in the same direction and offering unconditional support?

How many times do we give up when obstacles are placed in our path?

How many times do we fold our cards when our hands looks “unwinnable”?

How often do we persevere through the struggle to experience an incredible payoff of joy?

No one has an easy journey.  Our road will be paved with countless obstacles and challenges.  There will be times we want to blame others for our predicament.  There will be times we will feel like a victim.  There will be times we will want to fold our cards and give up.

But we can’t.  We have too many people counting us.  We have too much to lose by giving up.  We have too much potential to simply throw away.

Hold out for that ray of hope.  Hold out for that simple but potent experience of pure joy.  It is out there if we keep the faith.

It’s not complicated.  “Z” and Andrew provide us with a powerful blueprint.

Keep shooting.  Smile.  Stay resilient.