A Lower Mainland coach had an important message for students at Earl Marriott Secondary Tuesday: It含羞草研究社檚 OK to not be OK.
Langley Secondary basketball coach Sheldon Guy, who lost his sight suddenly in winter of 2021 but returned to coaching only days after the diagnosis, got candid with a crowd of gathered students, parents and staff at EMS, before an exhibition basketball game with his Thunderbirds team vs. the EMS senior girls team.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檝e learned to adapt. I含羞草研究社檝e learned to persevere. I含羞草研究社檓 learning that life含羞草研究社檚 not that bad and that it becomes your decision 含羞草研究社� each and every one of you guys 含羞草研究社� it becomes your decision whether you want to be successful or whether you want to take the other road,含羞草研究社� Guy told the gathered crowd, after entering the gym to Sia含羞草研究社檚 Unstoppable while dribbling a basketball.
Having previously lost sight in his right eye more than five years ago due to a separate issue (optic neuritis), Guy said it was a short three weeks from him noticing something was happening with his vision 含羞草研究社� while driving through the Massey Tunnel 含羞草研究社� to having no vision at all.
Doctors said the former Frank Hurt Secondary basketball player was suffering from anterior ischemic optic neuropathy 含羞草研究社� similar to a stroke of the eye, where blood flow to the optic nerve has been cut off.
含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 a tough situation, I含羞草研究社檓 not going to lie含羞草研究社� Not every day is OK.含羞草研究社�
Adults and kids face constant pressure 含羞草研究社渢o always be 含羞草研究社榦n含羞草研究社�, to always be there for others,含羞草研究社� Guy noted, adding some days, that can be hard, no matter how much one wants to stay positive.
Sometimes, strangers can be cruel.
含羞草研究社淚n White Rock I含羞草研究社檝e had my stick kicked out of my hand purposely. I含羞草研究社檝e been spit on. 含羞草研究社楬ey can you see this?含羞草研究社櫤卟菅芯可鐫 Guy told the crowd, making a spitting sound to emphasize the memory.
含羞草研究社淚 decided that I含羞草研究社檓 not good enough to be here anymore,含羞草研究社� Guy said, his voice catching.
含羞草研究社淢y world got super small含羞草研究社� (I thought) I don含羞草研究社檛 want to live like this anymore.含羞草研究社�
Admitting he had been brought that low was hard, Guy told the Peace Arch News on Wednesday.
含羞草研究社淏ut that含羞草研究社檚 why I wanted them to know. If even one person understands, and thinks 含羞草研究社業t含羞草研究社檚 OK to not be OK,含羞草研究社� then his message has been heard, he said.
First featured in a (long-time local sports journalist) Howard Tsumura story shortly after he lost his sight, Guy has since also been featured in a TSN special called Pivot and a W5 feature as well as other TV specials, with his personal story showing how it is possible to pivot from something as life-changing as losing your sight.
含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社漨 not trying to be famous. I含羞草研究社檇 rather have my sight back,含羞草研究社� Guy said.
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He credits his son, Jaidyn, his girlfriend, Chelsea, and his team of Thunderbirds for always having his back and lending him support.
After he spoke, Guy answered some questions from the crowd before his senior girls team played the EMS senior girls team.
The event also raised funds for his charity, Improve Her Game, which helps young girls in the Lower Mainland become better citizens through the game of basketball.
The charity coincides with EMS含羞草研究社� goal of raising awareness for women in sports, said EMS athletic director Russ Heggie.
含羞草研究社淚t was a great talk. It got emotional 含羞草研究社� I think it helped (students) to hear about his challenges to adapt, how to pivot,含羞草研究社� he said.
The Thunderbirds won the exhibition game by 30 points, Guy shared.
含羞草研究社淥nce I put the mic down, I含羞草研究社檓 all business.含羞草研究社�
tricia.weel@peacearchnews.com
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