Branden Chan will be taking his first trip without his family to compete with his basketball team in the Special Olympics 2010 National Games. Branden became involved with Special Olympics in elementary school by taking a recommendation from a teacher at his school. Special Olympics gives Branden the opportunity to play sports which other organizations could not.
As a member of the St. Mary’s basketball team which will travel to the games, Branden is constantly encouraging his nine other teammates by cheering things like, “try your best and don’t give up!” To train for competitions, Branden participates in the Boys Athletics Conditioning Program at his high school where he lifts weights and trains in conditioning drills. Branden has had to overcome physical obstacles to continue playing. He has a brain stem tumor that has created a deficiency in his legs, where one leg is strong and the other is weak. Additionally, he regularly attends rehabilitation to maintain strength in his legs, though his trips are less frequent since he began Special Olympics. When Branden was asked about his Coach Don Bewick, he immediately smiled. As Branden later explained, Bewick gives his all to the team on and off the field. Branden has dreams to play in the NBA one day. But he also wants to share his experience with others by one day becoming a coach—but only if he can participate in scrimmages and practices with his players!
