by Jill Edelman Barberie
“It’s hard to get by me without fouling.” This is what Mike O’Brien says about his experience playing basketball for Newtown High School. As a point guard, Mike was smaller than his peers, so he had to find other ways to stand out. He did this with his defense and by jumping, claiming he could jump 32 inches high. This is the essence of Mike.
Mike, now 24, was born with Edwards syndrome, a genetic condition where an extra copy of chromosome 18 causes growth delays and other complications. Despite dire predictions, Mike has defied the odds and continues to do so.
Two years ago, while working at the Prospector Theater, Mike’s coworkers and fellow members of the non-profit organization SPHERE encouraged him to try out for a role in their production of West Side Story. Mike was already an incredible, self-taught hip-hop dancer who was comfortable on stage, so he gave it a shot. His high school career wasn’t just about basketball; it included musical theater as well.
Mike took their advice and won the role of Riff, the leader of the Jets. He’s a confident, gutsy, and coordinated young man. Anyone who saw him perform could feel his captivating energy. His hip-hop performance, in particular, captured a swagger and self-control that are characteristically Mike.
So how does he do it? Mike is determined and passionate. He has a gift for overcoming every challenge. He was predicted to have trouble with simple things like talking and reading, but he does both. He walks. He even learned how to pop his arms to do the robot dance. He also trains in Muay Thai, a martial arts program from Thailand. He truly takes your breath away.
Mike lives in Newtown with his mom and younger sister. He is the third of four children. While he enjoys life, it hasn’t always been easy. A couple of years ago, he began having seizures. “I just fall down,” he says, but nothing stops him. Mike continues to do everything he loves.
Now, he wants to add another activity to his list. Passionate about basketball, he’d like to start a Special Olympics Basketball Team in Ridgefield. “I can coach it, or play, or both,” he says.
Mike is a gift to SPHERE, and his friends knew that joining the organization would bring him friendship and a sense of belonging. Open-hearted, generous, and with a dry sense of humor, Mike O’Brien is a star. And how lucky SPHERE is to have him in its constellation.