Community and Rehab Care - Community Living / December 16, 2025
Christian Hicks joined our program in December 2024. He initially struggled with finding his place in his new home, fell into some old habits when upset/frustrated, and had trouble finding activities that he enjoyed participating in each day. Our staff began introducing new things and options, including a basketball hoop for the home.
It soon became apparent to all that Christian’s passion is to play basketball, and he would spend hours every day outside with staff shooting hoops. In fact, he used the hoop so much that it had to be replaced three months later! Christian learned to channel his frustrations into the game and would ask staff to go outside and play basketball when he needed time to decompress and reframe his state of mind, leading to all W’s and no personal fouls!
In an effort to allow Christian to pursue his love of the game, his family and our staff began searching for programs that Christian could participate in within the community and found a year-round sports program through Tri-Cities Champions. Christian joined the league, and every Friday night staff accompanies him to join his new teammates playing basketball where he enjoys every second.
Christian has learned some new skills and made new friends in the community. He is learning what it means to be a teammate and how, sometimes, we all need an assist to get the win. Christian’s enthusiasm for the game seems to be endless, and he ends most Friday nights asking to take “just one more shot” before heading home. Once basketball season is completed, the league transitions to other sports throughout the year. Christian is excited to try those as well, but he makes sure that everyone knows that basketball will always be #1.
Filed under: Community and Rehab Care - Community Living, Media Hub