JOHNS ISLAND-Sounds of a basketball practice underway at St. John's High School.
SWISH! "DEFENSE!"
But to junior guard Mike McKelvey these are the sounds he'll never know.
"When I was a baby, a little boy around three, I had a fever and it caused me to lose my hearing," said McKelvey through an interpreter.
Not lost however, was McKelvey's drive for competition. Instead of being defeated he's pushed himself to try new things and take on all comers
"It makes me work harder,' he said. "Because of that, I'm able to do normal things."
The latest obstacle he's overcome was making the Islanders basketball team. Since he hasn't played much with non disabled kids, he's had to use a few tricks to keep himself in the game.
"He can read lips,' said a teammate. "He reacts quicker."
It's a new partnership where everyone is still learning.
"Honestly,' said McKelvey. "I think we're a very close team. Everyone helps me and I help them learn a little sign.
McKelvey may never know what's like to hear a crowd cheer his name but the bottom line is, he still knows they're rooting for him.
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