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http://usatodayhss.com/2015/chandler-basha-devin-kirby-broken-legs#sthash.MeMSpSjB.uxfs
Arizona basketball player who broke both legs in game begins road to recovery
A week after undergoing a devastating injuries to both knees in the final of the McClintock Holiday Basketball Shootout, Chandler (Ariz.) Basha junior center Devin Kirby is learning to get around in a wheelchair and feeling hopeful he’ll be back playing the game he loves.
He said from his hospital room that he was hoping to get released from the hospital as soon as Tuesday, and is adjusting to life in a wheelchair as he begins the long, arduous road to recovery with the goal of starting next basketball season on the court with his teammates.
Kirby suffered dislocations to both knees and fractured tibias under both knees while attempting an alley-oop dunk against Gilbert Perry in the first quarter of the championship game.
Paramedics administered to him. He had surgery on both legs the next day with three screws inserted in both, he said.
“I went up for a lob,” the 6-foot-10 Kirby said. “He got beat. As I was going up, I felt pushed in the back. My momentum landed me on my knees. I don’t know if I was pushed or not, but I felt it in the back.”
MORE: Arizona basketball player disclocates both knees
Kirby said he couldn’t wait to get out of the hospital. He is going through physical therapy now with the emphasis on transferring his body from the bed to the wheelchair.
He said he will be in a wheelchair for six weeks.
“I can’t bend my knees until after six weeks,” he said. “I’m going to be patient. I’m not going to rush it.”
He said he’s been told by doctors that he’ll be back on the court, maybe this summer.
Kirby, who was averaging 6.2 points and 4.9 rebounds, said he won’t be able to attend school for a while, but somebody from Basha is expected to help him with his courses, as he recovers.
He will try to attend as many of the basketball games as he can, he said.
Basha (12-3), which presented Kirby the McClintock tournament championship trophy in the hospital that same night, plays at Perry (12-2) on Friday night.
“We’ve been playing well,” Kirby said. “The backup I feel is more than ready to step up.”
Meanwhile, Devin’s mom, Michelle Kirby, a teacher, is trying to get through this time with medical costs adding up and her 73-year-old mom at home, battling cancer.
Michelle, on leave from work this week, returns to work next week, she said.
“There is really no one there during the day to help him,” she said. “We don’t have family here in the state. It is a very difficult time.”
She is trying to raise money to help off-set the medical costs with this link:
Arizona basketball player who broke both legs in game begins road to recovery
A week after undergoing a devastating injuries to both knees in the final of the McClintock Holiday Basketball Shootout, Chandler (Ariz.) Basha junior center Devin Kirby is learning to get around in a wheelchair and feeling hopeful he’ll be back playing the game he loves.
He said from his hospital room that he was hoping to get released from the hospital as soon as Tuesday, and is adjusting to life in a wheelchair as he begins the long, arduous road to recovery with the goal of starting next basketball season on the court with his teammates.
Kirby suffered dislocations to both knees and fractured tibias under both knees while attempting an alley-oop dunk against Gilbert Perry in the first quarter of the championship game.
Paramedics administered to him. He had surgery on both legs the next day with three screws inserted in both, he said.
“I went up for a lob,” the 6-foot-10 Kirby said. “He got beat. As I was going up, I felt pushed in the back. My momentum landed me on my knees. I don’t know if I was pushed or not, but I felt it in the back.”
MORE: Arizona basketball player disclocates both knees
Kirby said he couldn’t wait to get out of the hospital. He is going through physical therapy now with the emphasis on transferring his body from the bed to the wheelchair.
He said he will be in a wheelchair for six weeks.
“I can’t bend my knees until after six weeks,” he said. “I’m going to be patient. I’m not going to rush it.”
He said he’s been told by doctors that he’ll be back on the court, maybe this summer.
Kirby, who was averaging 6.2 points and 4.9 rebounds, said he won’t be able to attend school for a while, but somebody from Basha is expected to help him with his courses, as he recovers.
He will try to attend as many of the basketball games as he can, he said.
Basha (12-3), which presented Kirby the McClintock tournament championship trophy in the hospital that same night, plays at Perry (12-2) on Friday night.
“We’ve been playing well,” Kirby said. “The backup I feel is more than ready to step up.”
Meanwhile, Devin’s mom, Michelle Kirby, a teacher, is trying to get through this time with medical costs adding up and her 73-year-old mom at home, battling cancer.
Michelle, on leave from work this week, returns to work next week, she said.
“There is really no one there during the day to help him,” she said. “We don’t have family here in the state. It is a very difficult time.”
She is trying to raise money to help off-set the medical costs with this link:
