KINDER, La. (AP) - Basketball is Joseph “J.J.” LaFleur’s game. And his family knew that an outdoor basketball court was exactly what the Kinder High senior would want.
On Aug. 20, Louisiana State Police Troop D granted that wish, presenting the 17-year-old, who was born with 49 XXXXY syndrome and is almost completely nonverbal, with a small court painted in McNeese State University’s colors. The McNeese men’s basketball team was also there with a certificate naming him their honorary captain.
“He is so excited,” said his mother, Melody. “We are so very blessed to have such support from the community and the surrounding area.”
Trooper Andrew Leonards said the court was Troop D’s “first wish back” after a year of non-activity. “We kind of just restarted our Grant-A-Wish program,” he said.
Leonards said the project was a community effort, with many local organizations, businesses and individuals donating labor, time, materials and money.
“This is a project where a lot of people came together to make it happen,” he said.
And it was one that came down to the wire to complete before Saturday.
“They poured the concrete about a week and half ago,” said J.J.’s father, Joe. “We have been trying to paint it, but the rain kept holding us back. We had to paint it three times Friday.”
Melody LaFleur expressed her gratitude to everyone involved, especially her son’s former teacher, Cody Gueringer. She said he spearheaded the effort to get J.J.’s wish granted.
“They had a close bond,” she said. “And it tugged on my heart that he still cares for him to this day so much.”
Joe LeFleur called Troop D’s Grant-A-Wish “a great program.”
“We are very grateful to them,” he said.
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Information from: American Press, https://www.americanpress.com
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