A Lower Mainland coach had an important message for students at Earl Marriott Secondary Tuesday: It乌鸦传媒檚 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.
乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檝e learned to adapt. I乌鸦传媒檝e learned to persevere. I乌鸦传媒檓 learning that life乌鸦传媒檚 not that bad and that it becomes your decision 乌鸦传媒� each and every one of you guys 乌鸦传媒� it becomes your decision whether you want to be successful or whether you want to take the other road,乌鸦传媒� Guy told the gathered crowd, after entering the gym to Sia乌鸦传媒檚 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 乌鸦传媒� while driving through the Massey Tunnel 乌鸦传媒� to having no vision at all.
Doctors said the former Frank Hurt Secondary basketball player was suffering from anterior ischemic optic neuropathy 乌鸦传媒� similar to a stroke of the eye, where blood flow to the optic nerve has been cut off.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 a tough situation, I乌鸦传媒檓 not going to lie乌鸦传媒� Not every day is OK.乌鸦传媒�
Adults and kids face constant pressure 乌鸦传媒渢o always be 乌鸦传媒榦n乌鸦传媒�, to always be there for others,乌鸦传媒� Guy noted, adding some days, that can be hard, no matter how much one wants to stay positive.
Sometimes, strangers can be cruel.
乌鸦传媒淚n White Rock I乌鸦传媒檝e had my stick kicked out of my hand purposely. I乌鸦传媒檝e been spit on. 乌鸦传媒楬ey can you see this?乌鸦传媒櫸谘淮綕 Guy told the crowd, making a spitting sound to emphasize the memory.
乌鸦传媒淚 decided that I乌鸦传媒檓 not good enough to be here anymore,乌鸦传媒� Guy said, his voice catching.
乌鸦传媒淢y world got super small乌鸦传媒� (I thought) I don乌鸦传媒檛 want to live like this anymore.乌鸦传媒�
Admitting he had been brought that low was hard, Guy told the Peace Arch News on Wednesday.
乌鸦传媒淏ut that乌鸦传媒檚 why I wanted them to know. If even one person understands, and thinks 乌鸦传媒業t乌鸦传媒檚 OK to not be OK,乌鸦传媒� 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.
乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒漨 not trying to be famous. I乌鸦传媒檇 rather have my sight back,乌鸦传媒� 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乌鸦传媒� goal of raising awareness for women in sports, said EMS athletic director Russ Heggie.
乌鸦传媒淚t was a great talk. It got emotional 乌鸦传媒� I think it helped (students) to hear about his challenges to adapt, how to pivot,乌鸦传媒� he said.
The Thunderbirds won the exhibition game by 30 points, Guy shared.
乌鸦传媒淥nce I put the mic down, I乌鸦传媒檓 all business.乌鸦传媒�
tricia.weel@peacearchnews.com
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