Family’s Shared Love of Basketball Helps Son with Special Needs Thrive

When Dallas Partner Brett Johnson’s 12-year-old son, Charlie, was born with a developmental disability, the extent to which he would be able to participate in regular activities was unknown. With a dad who has won cases for the Dallas Mavericks, one could say basketball is in Charlie’s DNA, but until recently, Charlie watched all games—six or seven most weekends—as a spectator. According to Brett, basketball has been Charlie’s passion since he was in diapers, and the entire family is obsessed with March Madness (they have a bracket, naturally).

On March 25, 2018, CBS Dallas/Fort Worth published a feature story on the Johnson family, “Boy with Special Needs Wins Big on and off the Court.”

Now enrolled at the Notre Dame School, exclusively devoted to educating students with developmental disabilities, Charlie is off the bleachers and competing in his favorite game.

“In sports, everybody’s equal. You get on the floor and it’s you and your teammates. That has opened him up and given him the confidence that not only carried him forward in sports—but also into real life,” says Brett.

In February, Charlie’s school team took home gold at the North Texas Special Olympics Tournament.