In today's episode of This Hits Different, Shelby Cassesse tells the story of Avonworth Bailey Onyshko, who scored a memorable basket on senior night.
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Courtney Onyshko is constantly taking photos.
Though that may seem pretty typical for a proud mom, she's doing it to help her daughter Bailey, a senior at Avonworth High School. All of the photos go into monthly books to help her remember all of life's moments.
When she was three-years-old, Bailey began having seizures that resulted in short-term memory loss. She was eventually diagnosed with epilepsy, but continued to have a very active childhood.
Though she kept busy with several different activities, it was clear basketball had Bailey's heart.
"I love being with the basketball team since I've been playing since first grade," said Bailey Onyshko. "I love being part of teams."
She played through her freshman year at Avonworth. At that point, doctors decided to implant an RNS chip in Bailey's brain.
It essentially serves as a pacemaker that monitors for seizures and can even stop them.
With that surgery, contact sports for Bailey were no longer possible. She still remained with the team at Avonworth, attending practice, taking game notes, attending team dinners and shooting around.
Bailey's condition may come with limits, but she's always doing her best to challenge them.
It's likely a testament to the family's motto: "suck it up, buttercup."
"Bailey's disability doesn't hold her back, Bailey doesn't let anything hold her back. In fact, we have to hold her back," Courtney Onyshko said with a laugh.
Tiff White, a special education teacher at Avonworth, agrees with that sentiment. She works closely with Bailey during the school day. Their tight relationship is evident through the back-and-forth banter, jokes and respect they share.
"Bailey just gets it. She gets life," she said. "It's easy to be around kids who get life and want to be active. She's just a good kid."
That's why senior night at Avonworth was so special. The girls basketball team played East Allegheny, who agreed to let Bailey have her big moment.
She dressed, started, and took one in for a lay-up. It was her first game action in years. Her teammates also gave her a signed ball.
One of her closest friends on the team, also a senior, gave up her starting spot to let Bailey sit in her place.
"It was a little emotional," said Bailey. "Happy I was able to be part of the group and meet all these people, even being special ed."
It was equally emotional for Courtney and the rest of the Onyshko family.
"You couldn't have planned it better," she said. "She was excited. You could see from the pictures and the video, it was a very nice moment. Everyone was so supportive."
It was a moment made special by that support, but more importantly, Bailey's determination.
"You should always go and reach for your goals, no matter what type of person you are," she said. Special ed or not, go after them. It might take a couple steps, but you can always do it."
