Inclusion Daily Express -- Young Athlete's Success Reflects Changes In Attitudes

Inclusion Daily Express Logo

International Disability Rights News Service
Click here for today's headlines & home page

Keeping advocates informed, inspired and connected since 1999.
Click here for daily or weekly delivery . . . OR
Try Inclusion Daily Express for ten days FREE . . .

Young Athlete's Success Reflects Changes In Attitudes
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
January 29, 2008

CHERRY HILL, NEW JERSEY--His teammates call him "B-Rad".

Nineteen-year-old Brad Hennefer is a celebrity at Cherry Hill East High School.

He's one of a growing number of examples of what can happen when students with disabilities are included in their schools and school athletics.

Hennefer is also believed to be the only student athlete with Down syndrome in the country to earn letters in two varsity sports -- basketball and golf.

"I'm a very good shooter, good behind the black lines," he told WPVI-TV recently.

He's not joking, either.

This week, ABC News ran video from a recent game, showing the 5-foot 10-inch, 155-pound Hennefer making a clean three-pointer at the closing buzzer.

"All the kids in basketball, they look at me and are proud of me," he said.

In golf, Hennefer has a mean 280-yard tee shot that his teammates envy.

Hennefer said that after high school he plans to go on to college to work in business or on computers.

"Nothing Brad does surprises us," said his dad, Bob.

"Being a part of a team is always a kid's dream. And it's been great for him."

Related:
"The shot of a lifetime" (WPVI-TV)
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/sports&id=5901234
"This athlete never fails to amaze his teammates, fans" (Gloucester County Times)
http://www.inclusiondaily.com/news/2008/red/0129b.htm
"A Very Special Three-Point Shot" (ABC News)
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4211305

Click here for top of this page

Purchase this story for your website or newsletter . . .

Here's what subscribers say about Inclusion Daily Express. . .

Keeping advocates informed, inspired and connected since 1999.
Click here for daily or weekly delivery . . . OR
Try Inclusion Daily Express for ten days FREE . . .

Get your news here!