When 11-year-old Luke Germino is on the court, he’s not just playing the game; he’s also proving what’s possible.
In November of 2023, Luke was involved in an accident that would change his life and set him on a new path. Today, he’s thriving as an adaptive athlete in wheelchair basketball and tennis and has been named Valley Hospital’s Adaptive Sports Athlete of the Year.
“You think you can’t do it, but then you do it,” Luke said, reflecting on what he loves most about being part of adaptive sports.
Before the accident, Luke was the kind of kid who played every sport imaginable. Getting him back into sports wasn’t just a goal; it was a necessity. His mother, Ali Germino, said, “We knew that was going to be a big part of his healing.”
The Germino family was introduced to Valley Children’s Adaptive Sports Program after Luke’s surgery and recovery at the hospital. From that moment on, a new community opened up for them.
“When your child gets injured, you don’t have a lot of people to ask for help,” Ali said. “The adaptive sports community becomes like another part of your family. They’re there to answer questions, give support, and most of all, they push these kids to see how strong they really are.”
Since joining the program, he’s grown emotionally, physically and socially. “He’s a heck of a lot stronger,” Ali said. “He can do some cool things in his sports chair. It brought back that competitive spark. People think that might go away when you’re in a wheelchair, but it doesn’t.”
Fueled by his competitive spirit, Luke dreams big for the future of his team.
“I want my team to make the top five in the nation so we can have a chance to win and go all over the place,” he said. That same team is part of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association, giving athletes like Luke the opportunity to compete at a national level.
When Ali found out Luke was named Athlete of the Year, it was an emotional moment. “It was like a cherry on top,” she said. “He works so hard every single day, and if anyone deserves it, it’s him.”
To other parents who may be hesitant to get their children involved in adaptive sports, Ali encourages them to take that step. She said, “They can do so much more than you think. Give them the opportunity. These programs are life-changing in every area of a child’s life.”
