A Lower Mainland coach had an important message for students at Earl Marriott Secondary Tuesday: ItB次元官网网址檚 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.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e learned to adapt. IB次元官网网址檝e learned to persevere. IB次元官网网址檓 learning that lifeB次元官网网址檚 not that bad and that it becomes your decision B次元官网网址� each and every one of you guys B次元官网网址� it becomes your decision whether you want to be successful or whether you want to take the other road,B次元官网网址� Guy told the gathered crowd, after entering the gym to SiaB次元官网网址檚 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 B次元官网网址� while driving through the Massey Tunnel B次元官网网址� to having no vision at all.

Doctors said the former Frank Hurt Secondary basketball player was suffering from anterior ischemic optic neuropathy B次元官网网址� similar to a stroke of the eye, where blood flow to the optic nerve has been cut off.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a tough situation, IB次元官网网址檓 not going to lieB次元官网网址� Not every day is OK.B次元官网网址�

Adults and kids face constant pressure B次元官网网址渢o always be B次元官网网址榦nB次元官网网址�, to always be there for others,B次元官网网址� Guy noted, adding some days, that can be hard, no matter how much one wants to stay positive.

Sometimes, strangers can be cruel.

B次元官网网址淚n White Rock IB次元官网网址檝e had my stick kicked out of my hand purposely. IB次元官网网址檝e been spit on. B次元官网网址楬ey can you see this?B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Guy told the crowd, making a spitting sound to emphasize the memory.

B次元官网网址淚 decided that IB次元官网网址檓 not good enough to be here anymore,B次元官网网址� Guy said, his voice catching.

B次元官网网址淢y world got super smallB次元官网网址� (I thought) I donB次元官网网址檛 want to live like this anymore.B次元官网网址�

Admitting he had been brought that low was hard, Guy told the Peace Arch B次元官网网址 on Wednesday.

B次元官网网址淏ut thatB次元官网网址檚 why I wanted them to know. If even one person understands, and thinks B次元官网网址業tB次元官网网址檚 OK to not be OK,B次元官网网址� 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.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址漨 not trying to be famous. IB次元官网网址檇 rather have my sight back,B次元官网网址� 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 EMSB次元官网网址� goal of raising awareness for women in sports, said EMS athletic director Russ Heggie.

B次元官网网址淚t was a great talk. It got emotional B次元官网网址� I think it helped (students) to hear about his challenges to adapt, how to pivot,B次元官网网址� he said.

The Thunderbirds won the exhibition game by 30 points, Guy shared.

B次元官网网址淥nce I put the mic down, IB次元官网网址檓 all business.B次元官网网址�

tricia.weel@peacearchnews.com
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