“Helping every kid feel special is a slam dunk!”
When Amber Jackson couldn’t find a local basketball league that was right for her daughter with Down syndrome, she got together with a friend to start their very own team for kids with special needs— and before Amber knew it, she was bringing new joy to hearts and lives across her community!
Amber Jackson broke into a wide smile as she read a text message from her friend, Amber Stockard, who was the president of the Little Dribblers children’s community basketball league.
I see that kids like Lexie don’t have the same opportunities in our community as the other kids and we need to change that, the message read.
Amber J.’s heart swelled. Her 12-year-old daughter, Lexie, had Down syndrome, and as her friend had noted, she didn’t have the same sporting opportunities as the other kids in their small town of Athens, Texas. In fact, Amber had been driving Lexie 30 minutes to another town so she could participate in an athletic program for special needs kids.
We need to give them a chance, the text continued.
Do you want to help get a team started?
Amber J. was filled with excitement as she imagined Lexie having this special opportunity— and how wonderful it would be for her to be a part of it. She’d have the same chance to make friends and have fun…but in her own community? Amber J. smiled, immediately typing out her response: I’m all on board!
Miracle team
Right away, the Ambers got together to brainstorm ways to get other special needs kids involved in their new league, which they aptly named the “Miracle Dribblers.” Initially, the two women sought to rally up about four or six kids to play 2-on-2 or 3-on-3. But when parents of other special needs kids in the area heard about the new basketball league, they were ecstatic.
“Can we enroll?” one parent asked excitedly as dozens more called and wrote in, jumping at the chance to sign their own children up.
“It’s such a small town,” one parent observed. “There’s never really been a local athletic program for our children. This is a true miracle!”
Just a few months later, at their first game, the Miracle Dribblers had 11 beaming children ready to play a friendly game. Unlike other leagues, the kids wouldn’t need to put in long hours of practice. And there would be no score keeping. Once a month, the kids would get together, split up into teams and play ball.
Their joy is undeniable, Amber J. smiled from the sidelines one Saturday in January, her heart overflowing with joy as she watched Lexie and 10 other kids hit the basketball court at the local Cross Roads gym.
They love it, she beamed, and as the Ambers’ eyes met, they knew they’d scored a slam dunk.
A place for everyone
As word got out about the Miracle Dribblers, people from all over the community began flocking to each game to cheer on the new squad.
“I just can’t believe how many people are coming out to watch and show support,” Amber J. remarked to Amber S. as the sidelines filled up with fans ready to encourage the team.
But the players aren’t just bolstered by their ever-growing cheerleaders. In fact, with every pass received and every swish of the hoop, it is clear how much confidence the opportunity is giving each of the kids. “It is so fun, Mom!” one child told his mom after the first game. “I had a blast!” exclaimed another.
“It’s so great! I’m so glad we don’t have to take them outside the community for this experience,” one mom told Amber J. “We get to stay local and play with the kids they go to school with. It’s just amazing!”
Since its start, the Miracle Dribblers team has received recognition from the school board superintendent, and while the 2020 season ended just before the pandemic, the team is back on the court this year. “We’re so blessed that we get to do this. These kids don’t feel any different, so they don’t understand why they can’t do what other kids get to do,” says Amber J. Amber S. agrees and feels grateful to have been a part of such a special league. Amber J. continues, “I love that we have a place where each player can come, be active and create friendships. It makes them feel included and it’s really special—it fills all of our hearts with joy!”
“I love that we have a place where each player can come and finally feel included!”