“Since we didn’t know where to begin, we went to Mississippi where they had a kids’ team, the Mississippi Wheel Cats. Eli met them and he was instantly accepted and loved! We couldn’t stop there, though, we just knew that it was wrong not to have something for all the kids in Louisiana.” According to Eli, the support he found in the kids’ league was something that he wanted to share with his friends, especially the kids he met at the spina bifida camp.

“I want more kids to be on my team, just to have fun. I want to let their parents know that this is a great thing to do.”

So how has Eli benefitted? Ann explains: “He has grown muscles and has gotten stronger, that’s for sure. He’s always on YouTube watching the games, College games, anything the little ones can watch and see what’s possible. They show the basketball players living in dorms. It all shows them that as long as they want to attempt something they can. It gives them encouragement to do what they want.” When asked about his favorite part of the whole sports experience, Eli shares, “Well, I guess, I don’t know, really. There’s a lot! I like making friends and it’s really fun just being competitive. I don’t have a position yet, my favorite part I like about it, I like shooting best.”