:: With Eyes that See ::
[Chapter One]
[A Match]
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk and its characters do not belong to me…
This story is dedicated to Foundation MIRA, the first organisation in the world to provide blind youths under the age of sixteen with guide dogs. Visit http://www.mira.ca/contenta/introa.html to learn more.
"Sometimes, I feel utterly helpless, because of the fact that I cannot see. I used to play basketball in my school team, but when the accident occurred, I felt that I had been deprived of my life. Momentarily, I felt that life was not worth the living. But thankfully, with the help and support of so many relatives and friends, I've been able to get back up, and even play basketball again. I thank you for coming here today in aid of the John Milton Society for the Blind, and giving so generously to this fund-raiser. It is my sincere hope that none of you here today will ever have to go through the pain of wanting to end your own life, and the emotional and mental struggles that take place. Live for the day, and make the most of what you have! I really enjoyed being here today, and I hope you did too. Thank you."
After her speech, Satomi Shika, youth ambassador for the John Milton Society for the Blind for that year, stepped down from the podium, assisted by her mother, Satomi Miki. She was brought into another room, where her basketball outfit was laid out. Number nine, of the Centennial Academy in Quebec. The school had retired the uniform in her honour, and she toured countries and states on fund-raising activities for various charities playing in it.
Satomi Shika had been an excellent basketball player, with her name meaning "deer", it was no wonder she was quick and nimble, a perfect point guard. She loved the sport and worked hard at it, to push herself on to greater heights. But when she was a victim of a hit and run accident, resulting in the loss of her sight, it seemed as though her basketball career was over. It seemed as though her best had been already achieved.
For the first few weeks, she had been utterly devastated, and had even openly talked about taking her own life. Fortunately, with the counsel of her loving parents, she did not. Instead, she rebounded after her discharge from the hospital, besides attending a school for the blind to learn to read Braille, she also spent hours at the porch, shooting hoops.
Impossible, you might say. But Shika had not practiced since she was six for nothing. In a while, just by knowing her exact position on the court, she could shoot a decent average, comparable to the days when she still had her sight.
It was hard, gruelling work that she had set herself, but she had begun with the end in mind. She would not be able to play in the team again, but her plays could get her noticed. Not for fame, not for glory, but for the opportunity to bring funds to worthy causes. Her basketball teammates had given her the dream, and cheering her on, they helped her achieve it.
Now, she stood in the small changing room decked out in her sleeveless shirt and long shorts. It was time to perform.
Each time she had stepped out into the spotlights, holding her basketball in her hands, there had been resounding applause. This time was no different.
She stepped into the court. She knew it and recognised it because of its feel. Her mother guided her to the free-throw line. Bending her knees and arms in textbook-perfect position, she threw the ball, which flew in an arc to swish through the hoop gracefully. She heard the satisfying sound as the basketball dropped cleanly into the net, without touching the board or the edges of the hoop, and smiled.
Next, she caught the ball passed to her by her mother, and started dribbling, from the free-throw line right up to the basket for a lay-up shot. Which also went clean.
After a more such demonstrations, she walked off the court, to thunderous applause and cheers. Another job well done.
This time, though, there was something different and unexpected.
Over the public address system came the announcement, "Miss Satomi, we have an important announcement to make. Foundation MIRA has found a guide dog match for you, your application has been successful! Everyone, let's give her a round of applause! Congratulations!"
Emotions swirled in Shika's mind. A guide dog. A guide dog! Freedom!
To be continued…
Author's Notes: Even though the only link to Slam Dunk at this moment is basketball, I promise you there'll be more!
P.S. A big THANK YOU to those who read and reviewed my last fic! I'm stuck at how to revive it though, so any ideas will be welcome!
[Chapter One]
[A Match]
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk and its characters do not belong to me…
This story is dedicated to Foundation MIRA, the first organisation in the world to provide blind youths under the age of sixteen with guide dogs. Visit http://www.mira.ca/contenta/introa.html to learn more.
"Sometimes, I feel utterly helpless, because of the fact that I cannot see. I used to play basketball in my school team, but when the accident occurred, I felt that I had been deprived of my life. Momentarily, I felt that life was not worth the living. But thankfully, with the help and support of so many relatives and friends, I've been able to get back up, and even play basketball again. I thank you for coming here today in aid of the John Milton Society for the Blind, and giving so generously to this fund-raiser. It is my sincere hope that none of you here today will ever have to go through the pain of wanting to end your own life, and the emotional and mental struggles that take place. Live for the day, and make the most of what you have! I really enjoyed being here today, and I hope you did too. Thank you."
After her speech, Satomi Shika, youth ambassador for the John Milton Society for the Blind for that year, stepped down from the podium, assisted by her mother, Satomi Miki. She was brought into another room, where her basketball outfit was laid out. Number nine, of the Centennial Academy in Quebec. The school had retired the uniform in her honour, and she toured countries and states on fund-raising activities for various charities playing in it.
Satomi Shika had been an excellent basketball player, with her name meaning "deer", it was no wonder she was quick and nimble, a perfect point guard. She loved the sport and worked hard at it, to push herself on to greater heights. But when she was a victim of a hit and run accident, resulting in the loss of her sight, it seemed as though her basketball career was over. It seemed as though her best had been already achieved.
For the first few weeks, she had been utterly devastated, and had even openly talked about taking her own life. Fortunately, with the counsel of her loving parents, she did not. Instead, she rebounded after her discharge from the hospital, besides attending a school for the blind to learn to read Braille, she also spent hours at the porch, shooting hoops.
Impossible, you might say. But Shika had not practiced since she was six for nothing. In a while, just by knowing her exact position on the court, she could shoot a decent average, comparable to the days when she still had her sight.
It was hard, gruelling work that she had set herself, but she had begun with the end in mind. She would not be able to play in the team again, but her plays could get her noticed. Not for fame, not for glory, but for the opportunity to bring funds to worthy causes. Her basketball teammates had given her the dream, and cheering her on, they helped her achieve it.
Now, she stood in the small changing room decked out in her sleeveless shirt and long shorts. It was time to perform.
Each time she had stepped out into the spotlights, holding her basketball in her hands, there had been resounding applause. This time was no different.
She stepped into the court. She knew it and recognised it because of its feel. Her mother guided her to the free-throw line. Bending her knees and arms in textbook-perfect position, she threw the ball, which flew in an arc to swish through the hoop gracefully. She heard the satisfying sound as the basketball dropped cleanly into the net, without touching the board or the edges of the hoop, and smiled.
Next, she caught the ball passed to her by her mother, and started dribbling, from the free-throw line right up to the basket for a lay-up shot. Which also went clean.
After a more such demonstrations, she walked off the court, to thunderous applause and cheers. Another job well done.
This time, though, there was something different and unexpected.
Over the public address system came the announcement, "Miss Satomi, we have an important announcement to make. Foundation MIRA has found a guide dog match for you, your application has been successful! Everyone, let's give her a round of applause! Congratulations!"
Emotions swirled in Shika's mind. A guide dog. A guide dog! Freedom!
To be continued…
Author's Notes: Even though the only link to Slam Dunk at this moment is basketball, I promise you there'll be more!
P.S. A big THANK YOU to those who read and reviewed my last fic! I'm stuck at how to revive it though, so any ideas will be welcome!
