Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
ROY — Jerry Nealey steps onto the court, but he's not what one normally expects from a basketball player. He checks the backboard with his cane, then takes several steps back to find the free-throw line, which he keeps track of a small rug.
"I've been in here before when there's been lots of people, so you really have to pay attention to what you're doing," Nealey said. "This rug, I can't find it every time, but there's this sound to my left -- there's a fan up there."
He shoots, and sometimes they go in, but he's usually pretty close.
"If you had been doing something for 20 years, you should be good at it too -- blind or not," Nealey said. "I keep track of the ball, that's my goal. If I can do that, then there's a chance at making it."
The 'swish' sound of the basket, he said, makes him smile.
Sometimes people watch Nealey. They watch the game, look out for him and warn him of walls he's approaching. The help, he said, is appreciated but unnecessary.
"I know it's there, thank you. If I hit it, I deserve it," Nealey said.
For Nealey, playing basketball is about more than just shooting some hoops, it's about getting out and doing what he wants. He has run triathlons and he is training for the American Diabetes Association's Tour de Cure, a 100-mile tandem bike ride.
"Kind of gives me a focus, something to work on coming out of the winter into spring," Nealey said.
He also hopes that people will have a shift of perception.
"Just because I can't see doesn't make me a miracle on wheels," he said.
Don't be proud and stay in the dark, there's lots of help out there. I've been through what you're going through.
–- Jerry Nealey
Blind people can have normal lives, and he hopes both the seeing and the blind will realize that.
"If you went blind right this minute, I would expect you to be scared to death," Nealey said. "You don't know how to get around, you don't have a cane -- you need a cane."
Nealey, who works for the state of Utah, teaches the blind how to use those canes, and helps them gain independence.
"There is hope if you're losing your sight," he said. "I know there's a lot of people older that are losing their sight, and there's hope for getting skill training."
He wasn't always so positive. Nealey went completely blind just after high school and learned the hard way that attitude is everything. He hopes to help others understand that life lesson.
"Don't be proud and stay in the dark, there's lots of help out there. I've been through what you're going through."
*ksl.com has not verified the accuracy of the information provided with respect to the account nor does ksl.com assure that the monies deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
