Ted_Perry's Blog

Larry Hisle and I were teammates today. There's a phrase I never thought I'd write.

The former Brewer (and a very kind man), me, Mayor Barrett, County Executive Scott Walker, Tony Hrkac of the Admirals, Scott Dolphin of FM106 and Gregory Jon of WOKY were all invited to play wheelchair basketball with the athletes in town for the Veterans Wheel Chair Games. I think I can speak for the aforementioned guys when I say it was an honor and a humbling experience.

The athletes who are gathering in Milwaukee this weekend are all military veterans. They were also my 'teammates' for 20 minutes this afternoon.  It's funny when you think about it but the "able-bodied" guys were actually a hinderance to the wheelchair athletes. But athletes are athletes and these guys wanted to win. Which meant those of us who haven't played hoops in a chair needed a crash course in the finer points of wheelchair basketball. 

If you don't think it's not hard, go to your neighborhood basketball court, sit on a chair and shoot a few free throws. Now do it in a rolling chair. And dribble. And then have someone crash into you while you're shooting. Now, you're getting the hang of it.

Here's something I've never told anyone: my deepest fear is that I won't always be able to walk. I'm afraid that sometime while I'm out on my Harley, some drunken idiot will run a red light and leave me paralyzed.  I pray to God, I'm wrong but it's a fear.  I spent less than an hour with these men and women today but it was enough time to realize we all have a strength in us. These athletes are remarkable because a) they're veterans and b) they have the love of the game.

I hope you get a chance to watch some of the events this weekend. There's a link on our website to the schedule. All events are (Milwaukee's favorite word) free.

Make them feel welcome.