Down+Syndrome+Student+Fights+to+Keep+Playing+Sports

Briana Murphy ED222B Self-Select Activity April 23rd, 2012

 In Ishpeming Michigan, it is clear that the public schools have been doing a great job including Eric Dompierre, a student with Down’s Syndrome, into the community. Eric has been playing football and basketball with the school team for years now, but now that he is turning 19 years old and is a junior in high school, red tape is catching up to him.  There is a rule in place in the Michigan High School Athletic League that a student who is turning 19 cannot play sports. It is really unfortunate that this rule is in place and does not have exceptions for students like Eric. That rule was created to be fair to students who are of the normal high school age so they would have a fair chance of playing students their size, however, it is not fair to Eric.  The Michigan High School Athletic Association should amend the rule to include students like Eric because that would still be following the spirit of the rule. Even though Eric will be 19 for the next season, he is not a threat to the players on the other team because of his physical limitations due to his Down’s syndrome. If anything, Eric is contributing to the players on both teams. Eric is helping build community by making reciprocal relationships. By letting Eric play, the coaches and friends Eric has made have helped him develop skills physically and socially. Where Eric is benefitting tremendously from his experiences playing football and basketball, he has contributed a lot to the community as well. Eric is joyful and inspiring to everyone when he’s on the court or in practice. Eric’s father recalled the time when Eric was playing basketball and made a three-point shot. Everyone in the crowd was cheering for him and even crying. “Everyone” includes the other team’s fans and players as well. Getting to know Eric has made everyone into better players and people all around.  It is unfortunate that the Michigan High School Athletic Association is not cooperating with Eric and his parents to amend the rule, but even this setback is bringing the community together. Even off the court or field Eric is impacting many people because a T-shirt store is making shirts saying “let em play,” and anyone in the community can buy them to raise awareness about Eric’s situation. Many people in the community are supporting Eric and his parents through this though situation, and I can bet that it will not be long before the Michigan High School Athletic Association makes a change to the rule allowing Eric and other students with disabilities to play.