During the week of January 5-10, Calera, Chelsea, Helena, and Oak Mountain High School basketball teams were part of a statewide event held to promote autism acceptance through athletics.  Shooting 2 Change was founded by Coach Dru Powell of Spanish Fort High School in support of his son Parker who was diagnosed with autism in 2014. Coach Powell, along with Thompson High School Basketball Coach Patrick Davis, who also has a son with autism, believes awareness will change the way people see and serve students with autism. Coaches and players around the state showed their support for this initiative by purchasing and wearing Shooting 2 Change t-shirts on game night.

Autism effects 1 in every 68 children born according to the Center for Disease Control.  It is five times more likely in boys than girls and crosses all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.  This neurological disorder has no clear cause or cure and treatments can be very expensive.

For more information about Autism, please contact: Shooting2change@gmail.com and  www.autism-alabama.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo credits:

Chelsea vs. Pelham Picture – Coach Nick Baumbaugh, Head Boys Chelsea; Coach Joel Floyd, Head Boys Pelham

Helena Coach Picture – Coach Madison Thompson, Assistant Girls; Coach Steve Bromley, Assistant Boys and his wife Elizabeth; Coach Chris Laatsch, Head Boys and his wife Leigh; Coach Jason Ford, Head Girls

Helena Girls and Boys Team Photo – Coach Chris Laatsch, Head Boys; Coach Steve Bromley, Assistant Boys; Coach Jason Ford, Head Girls; and Coach Madison Thompson, Assistant Girls

Thompson vs. Oak Mountain Coach Picture – Coach Patrick Davis, Thompson Head Boys; Coach Frankie Perez, Thompson Boys Assistant; Coach Dave Good , Thompson Boys Assistant; Coach Chris Love, Oak Mountain Head Boys; and Coach Donald McMahon, Oak Mountain Boys Assistant

Thompson vs Oak Mountain Team Photo: Coach Chris Love, Oak Mountain Head Boys; and Coach Patrick Davis, Thompson Head Boys;