Inspiration on the court: 'I have this motivation inside of me'
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BATTLE GROUND, Wash. – Josh Brewer has to work harder than most to get the ball in the basket.
“I play every day pretty much,” he said. “Two hours a day.”
But the 17-year-old has never had it easy. Once an African orphan, Brewer was living on the streets of Ethiopia when he lost both legs and one arm in a train accident as a 10-year-old.
“I was running next to it and I was trying to get up but the train accelerated,” said Brewer. “So it kind of sucked me under it. That’s how this happened.”
Half a dozen surgeries and the same number of adoptive homes later, Brewer found a permanent home with a Washington family five years ago.
Now he’s a volunteer basketball coach for a group of 5th graders in Battle Ground who share his passion for the game.
“He gives us good advice. I think it’s cool that he’s in a wheelchair and he still plays basketball,” said one of his players. “He’s good at dribbling. He’s good at almost everything.”
When he’s not coaching or playing on his traveling wheelchair basketball team, Brewer is back on the practice court.
“I started watching games seeing how it works,” said Brewer. “Then I found out there was wheelchair basketball and I was like ‘this is pretty cool and I could try for it.’ And I made the team.”
The high school sophomore said he plans to try out for the U-23 wheelchair Olympic basketball team next year. He said he knows quitting will never be an option.
"Personally, I've gone through a lot already. This is just another challenge for me to conquer and say I did it," Brewer said. "I have this motivation inside of me that if I can do it and I know I can do it, I push myself to doing it."
You're an inspiration, Josh. The best of luck to you !
I am always amazed at the resiliency of the human spirit.
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He will be successful if he stays the course. His English is very good and there is nary a hint of accent.
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@Bert .......c'mon man !!
I bet he would of played more games than Oden or OldMan
Kuddos to Josh! Teaching children to be accepting and to continue on with something you love is to be commended. Thank you for taking your talents and sharing it with children. Many could learn from you.
I'd say Josh is quite an inspirational  young man.  How many in his position would settle for just  existing.Â
Sorry he lost his legs in the war in Ethiopia. But shouldn't he be doing something to become a useful member of society? Rather than being a basketball coach? Where will this lead him to become a member of society? Somehow I think it's time for him to move on from doing what he cannot do any longer! I know, pity less am I. But realistically, isn't it time for him to move on with his life?
@jpk And now let's all sit back and watch the world slap jpk around some...
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 @jpk why don't we cut off your legs and arm and see how you function in society? Plus he's a child! He's got the whole world ahead of him.
 @jpk ~  We agree on most things, but on this one, well... I think this young man is doing a great job..!   We have a desperate need in this country for young men and women who can be, and WANT to be - positive role models for our kids and teens... especially those who have not had the best of family environments during their growing-up years...  This young man not only has overcome a serious (and very visible) physical handicap, but excels in a sport that the kids he's coaching already relate to - how better to earn their respect..?!?  Â
At the age of 17, he has time yet to work out what he wants to do on a long-term basis... and somehow, I just don't see this young man sitting around playing video games and watching TV as an adult..! Â Â
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Brewer was living on the streets of Ethiopia when he lost both legs and one arm in a train accident as a 10-year-old
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What war?
@jpk He is coaching kids ...what more do you want? Time for you to move on with your life :)
jpk, you really are what your image appears to be. This young man is doing a fantastic job of becoming a member of society. He is passing on skills, hope, determination and inspiration to our kids. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, and it contributes more to a healthy society than what a lot of people do 40 hours a week for a living, or what a lot of people pass on to their own children. He is an inspiration.
jpk, you really are what your image appears to be. This younf man is doing a fantastic job of becoming a member of society. He is passing on skills, hope, determination and inspiration to our kids. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, and it contributes more to a healthy society than what a lot of people do 40 hours a week for a living.
 @jpk He's only a sophomore. He is doing more than most are at that age.