Shooting for the summit: Hudson to take part in Krazy Kosci Klimb

A shoutout from his favourite player in the Harlem Globetrotters* has given young fan Hudson Nicholas even more reason to shoot for his dream – and possibly an Australian first.

The nine-year-old Sydney boy, who lives with cerebral palsy*, hopes to be the first to land a “trick shot” in a basketball hoop at the highest point in the country.

He’s one of 16 young people with the condition who’ll be trekking, or wheeling, the 18km to the summit of Mount Kosciuszko* as part of the Krazy Kosci Klimb February 7-9.

Hudson’s dad Peter is a vital part of the ‘Hudson Globetrotters’ support crew – and will haul a basketball hoop all the way to the top.

“Hudson was born at 31 weeks and spent the first two years of his life in and out of hospital and has undergone over 40 surgeries,” Mr Nicholas said.

“We were told he would probably not walk or talk or go to school, but he’s proven everyone wrong, and through it all remained full of humour and full of life.

“He loves being active, and throwing and catching a ball was something he could do even from his hospital bed. He loves every ball sport, but especially basketball.

“The Harlem Globetrotters are his favourite and he loves watching ‘trick shots’ and attempting them – and is always getting me to set challenges up for him.

“Once he reaches the summit, he plans to take a shot at setting an Australian record for the highest trick shot with a basketball hoop.”

Last week Hudson got a welcome boost thanks to a video message from his idol Corey “Thunder” Law*, a record-breaking machine with the Harlem Globetrotters.

“I know you’re ready to conquer it, I know you’re going to do great … good luck and enjoy the moment,” Thunder told him.

Hudson has been training hard for several weeks and is looking forward to the trek, which he’ll undertake with the help of a walking frame and off-road wheelchair buggy. But Mr Nicholas said it’s taken years – and a whole lot of help – for Hudson to get to this point.

“The Cerebral Palsy Alliance* helped us understand what was possible for Hudson – and has helped him achieve that (fitness),” Mr Nicholas said.

“They say it takes a village to raise a child, but for children with different barriers I’d say it takes a whole city – and we are so thankful to the Alliance and all the doctors and therapists* who’ve been an important part of his story.”

Thanks to his sponsor* Multiplex*, Hudson’s team is the top fundraiser for the challenge, with more than $82,000 raised so far for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance’s vital work to improve treatment and technology.

“Hudson is looking forward to the challenge and so are Brooklyn and I – we love taking part in events that show the human spirit – and Hudson has got plenty of that,” Mr Nicholas said.

“For him it’s another adventure; for us it’s a chance to show him there’s no limits to what he can do.

Learn more about Hudson, the other climbers and how to support them at krazykosciklimb.com.au

POLL

GLOSSARY

1. Harlem Globetrotters: Abe Saperstein founded the Original Harlem Globetrotters in 1926; next year the iconic team will celebrate 100 years of thrilling generations of fans and using basketball to break down barriers and promote goodwill around the world
2. cerebral palsy: a physical disability affecting movement and posture, cerebral palsy is the most common physical disability in children
3. Mount Kosciuszko: Australia’s highest mountain, located in the NSW Snowy Mountains region of the Australian Alps and rising to an elevation of 2228m
4. alliance: any group (of countries, political parties, people etc) who work together to further shared interests or aims
5. The Cerebral Palsy Alliance: founded over 75 years ago, this registered Australian charity has become a global centre of expertise for cerebral palsy services and support, research, technology, innovation and advocacy
6. therapists: people who work in jobs treating various illnesses and disabilities
7. sponsor: a person or organisation that supports someone or something, typically by giving money or goods and services to help make sure that something specific happens
8. Multiplex: an international construction company founded in Australia in 1962

EXTRA READING

Bendigo boy’s new NBA nickname

The Aussie charities and events we get behind

How to spot a charity scam

QUICK QUIZ

1. What is the full name of Australia’s highest mountain?
2. Which legendary Harlem Globetrotter gave Hudson a personal shoutout?
3. How many surgeries has nine-year-old Hudson had so far?
4. What is Hudson’s dad carrying all the way to the summit?
5. How much money has Hudson raised so far for the Cerebral Palsy Alliance?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Living with CP
Why is it so inspirational for Hudson to try and break this record by completing the highest trick shot?

With Hudson having over 40 surgeries in his short 9 years of life, but still loving sport and being active, work with a partner and come up with a game, apparatus or piece of equipment that allows kids with physical impairments, barriers or in hospital wards to move and burn some energy and improve their skills.

Sketch your design idea below:

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Design and Technologies, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

2. Extension
Spin the ball like a Harlem Globetrotter!

Can you spin the ball on your fingertips like the Harlem Globetrotters? Grab a basketball and watch the following YouTube video to get some tips to try and master this trick. Hudson may have already mastered it!

youtube.com/watch?v=C1M7n1EZqG4&list=PL793D6A7EE943AC82&index=2

Time: allow 15 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: Health and Physical Education

VCOP ACTIVITY
Exercise the body and the mind
Exercise is not only important for the body, but it’s a lot of fun as well. Let’s bring more exercise into classroom learning by creating a VCOP PE game.

You can add a VCOP challenge to pretty much any game, and it’s a great way to encourage the teacher to let the class play more games.

Here is an example to get you started, then you create one of your own.

VCOP dodgeball
The normal rules of dodgeball apply. Two teams throw soft balls at each other and if you get hit, you have to sit out. The team who knocks out all the players on the other team, wins.

VCOP challenge: when you get eliminated, collect a mini-whiteboard and a basic clause from the sidelines. Up-level the sentence (make it better) by adding VCOP. When you show the teacher your completed sentence, you can return to the game.

Play for a set amount of time and the team with the most players left on the court wins.

Support: use the “Up-Level It” card set – players have to complete one card from the set instead of completing all VCOP challenges.

What can you come up with?