Sports, particularly basketball, provide Dyson with much-needed encouragement and relief throughout his journey. Before his diagnosis, Dyson played basketball and football. Because his dad was his first basketball coach, Dyson and his family find the sport to be a way of unifying them. One of Dyson’s favorite things to do in his free time is to play basketball outside with his little sister, Leighton. Although he can’t currently attend school or play on a team, he still loves to play ball at home and watch basketball on TV or live.
Although Dyson struggles at times with his illness, he remains kind and empathetic towards others. When asked what his sports dream is, he told his child life specialist at the hospital that he “didn’t want to ask for too much.” He always takes the time to think of others even when he is hurting. His ultimate sports dream is to go to the NBA All-Star game.
