Wheelchair basketball tournament held to raise funds for the Berry kids

HOUSTON

On Sunday, a local community came out to participate in a basketball tournament to benefit the siblings affected by that tragic crash. Most of the court rules were the same, but there was one big difference you could see on the court.

"It means a lot to me because most people wouldn't do this," Aaron Berry said. "I just think it's amazing for these people to do this."

For Aaron and his older brother, Peter, seeing friends and acquaintances strapped into wheelchairs for this charity wheelchair basketball tournament was the ultimate show of love and support.

Event organizer Melanee Weiser said it's about raising awareness.

"Raise awareness of having to live your life in a wheelchair, getting to see on a daily basis what Peter and Aaron have to go through," she said.

"It's, like, generous and amazing," Aaron said.

Aaron, Peter and their sister, Willa, are all known as "the Berry kids," and they have come a long way.

"A couple of summers ago their family was coming home from a trip and a car hit them head-on, and their parents ended up being killed. It left Peter and Aaron being paralyzed and Willa ended up with broken bones," Weiser said.

Their recovery was aided by the love of family and an outpouring of help from people all over the world who learned of their story.

"Within the two years, it is amazing to see how well-adjusted these boys have become," Weiser said. "They know that they are going to be living in a wheelchair; they have adapted to that, and they don't let anything stand in their way."

Weiser, a P.E. coach, organized this tournament as a way to ensure the Berry kids' recovery process continues.

The Berry kids say they are grateful.

"I'm really thankful to everyone for coming and for raising all the money," Peter said.

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