Inspiration...and HOPE.

I just couldn't help posting this article from the HemiFoundation Newsletter. Absolutely amazing. Denton has the same condition as Tyson. If you don't have time to read the article...scroll all the way down and watch the video. It made me cry. He is number #50.

Denton's moment of glory highlight of Hawks' season
By Bob Snell, Desert Valley Times

March 16,2010
What was the highlight of the season for the Charles A. Hughes Middle School boys' basketball team? Winning the Garrett Invitational in Boulder City? Sweeping rival Mack Lyon Middle School? Being competitive in its first year playing in the CCSD Middle School league when some thought they might not win a game? Finishing 16-5 overall?

While all of the above were noteworthy, the highlight of the season, hands down, came in the season finale Friday night at the Hawks Nest against visiting Bridger Middle School of Las Vegas.
In a YouTube moment, the Hawks Denton Dorn, a special-needs student at CHMS, brought down the house as well as a few tears to the eyes of those in attendance.

Denton, who is an avid sports fan, was not just an honorary member of the Hawks squad. He was a full-blown member. He had to attend the mandatory 10 practices, just like everyone else, before being issued his No. 50 jersey. He dressed for all the home games and actually made one bus trip with the team a couple of weeks ago.

His teammates embraced him as one of them. He was, and is, a Hawk and darn proud of it.

Everyone loves Denton. He's hard not to get attached to. He always has that smile and he's always ready for a high five walking down the sixth-grade hall or in the student center or on his way to the gym for PE.

My classroom at CHMS is directly across from where most of Denton's classes are with Mr. Forsyth. I see him every day and he always asks me if I'm going to his game. When I say yes, he gives me a high five.

Denton is a huge Oakland Raiders fan and a big fan of the Utah Utes. Maybe that's why I like the kid so much. He also likes the Colts, Steelers, UNLV Rebels, Oregon Ducks and Duke Blue Devils. I can see liking the Rebels, but those other teams? Denton, Denton, Denton.

He's always sticking his head in the door of my classroom and saying "the Raaaaaiduhs," like Chris Berman does on ESPN. I say it right back to him and he goes away laughing.

He is also a big fan of the Virgin Valley Bulldogs. He attends most of the games, home or away. During Spirit Week, he had his hair colored green and made sure everyone noticed. He was an honorary ball boy for one of the Bulldog football games and he's always going out to shoot baskets between games at Bulldog Gym.

Denton's Story:

Denton was born with hemimegalencephaly and @ the age of 1 1/2 he underwent a hemispherectomy at UCLA Medical Center. He has been seizure free since surgery with the exception of when we tried weaning him from Mysoline, to date he is on Lamictale. Denton has also had a vascular ring repair, ear tubes, a tympanoplasty and a tonsillectomy. When he was younger he suffered with many respiratory infections requiring him to be in the hospital at least 25 times. It seemed if it wasn't respiratory it was seizures. He has since grown out of his respiratory ailments.

Denton attends middle school in a self contained class room but spends a great part of his day mainstreamed. He is active with Special Olympics and attends the sport of the season once a week for practice. He attends physical therapy twice a week and works with a wonderful lady who takes him into the community for various activities. Together they swim, bowl, play
soccer and basketball or go to the library. He loves to bowl and has a high score of 171. He has a fierce love for basketball and this year made the basketball team at the middle school. He was so excited telling us that the only thing he wanted to do was make a 3 point shot and bring the crowd to their feet. He enjoys watching ESPN and will be the first thing that comes
on in the morning and the last thing that he watches before he goes to sleep. He amazes us with his ability to recap a days events from ESPN at the shake of a stick.

Every year he goes for a follow up visit to UCLA. Our family has made it a tradition to go to Knott's Berry Farm which is his favorite place to be. He would ride every roller coaster they have but Mom is a little hesitant. If asked what his favorite ride is @ Knott's he would tell you the "orange roller coaster". Not exaggerating at all I would be willing to bet my life on it that we ride it at least 50 times in one day.

Denton has the ability to bring a smile to anyone's face and can win one's heart with his impeccable love for life. His basketball coach said to me "if all the boys on the team had the love for the game like Denton does, we would be unbeatable". That's Denton, unbeatable and full of love!

To watch Denton's moment of glory click here.

p.s. I just found out that Nate's aunt works with Denton's dad in Nevada. Uh...small world! Life is GOOD! :)