Michigan high school athlete with Down syndrome now able to keep playing

[alp227]

Source: CNN

The Michigan High School Athletic Association on Thursday approved a waiver provision that gives a student athlete with Down syndrome a chance to continue participating in sports despite being 19 years old.

Under the new provision, Eric Dompierre, who will be a senior in the fall, could be approved to play as early as August if the Ishpeming School District formally seeks a waiver for him, said John Johnson, spokesman for the athletic association.

Eric's father, Dean Dompierre, told CNN that he hopes other states will follow Michigan's lead in offering an exception to sports age limits for students with disabilities.

"I feel relieved," Dean Dompierre told CNN in a telephone interview Thursday afternoon. "It's been two and a half years. We've been petitioning and working with the association."

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/31/us/michigan-down-syndrome-athlete/index.html

[Old Troop]

1. Well done!

[postulater]

2. As with any athlete

a physical condition that might endanger the athlete should be taken into account.

In Down's Syndrome there is an increased incidence of cervical spine abnormalities that should be screened for. That might preclude certain contact sports like football.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2532127/

But of course the issue here is more age-related and that is the reason for the waiver, rather than the disability itself.

The association did a good thing. It will benefit all involved.

[siligut]

3. This is so important

I hope other states will follow Michigan's lead as well.