Quick Hits: A Q&A with Calaveras player with cerebral palsy
Senior Kyle Chaboya is a running back at Calaveras High School in San Andreas. He’s listed as No. 80 on the roster and, at 5-foot-4 and 132 pounds, is a bit undersized for a running back.
What the roster doesn’t show is that Chaboya has cerebral palsy. Despite his handicap, and his need to use a rolling walker when he’s on the sideline, he’s been a member of the Calaveras program for four years (he also wrestles for the school). Friday night, in a 36-8 win over Bret Harte, Chaboya played in a game for the first time. But Chaboya didn’t just play, he scored a touchdown. Teammates Cameron Moore and Austin Grant replaced Chaboya’s walker and escorted him across the goal line for six points.
Q: Was that your first touchdown?
A: Yes, that was the first of my career. I’ve never gotten into a game until last night.
Q: What did it feel like to score?
A: The feeling for me, crossing that goal line last night, was amazing. All the things the coaching staff and my teammates have done for me throughout the years is amazing. It’s why I love being on the Calaveras football team, and being around these guys, and hanging out with them at school. It’s tough to put into words.
Q: When did you find out you’d be playing in your first varsity game?
A: Seventh period (Friday), when we went through walkthroughs. Coach called me into the gym and told me, “We’re going to run a play for you, and this is how it’s going to work.”
Q: What was the play called?
A: The Kyle Belly.
Q: So, a basic belly play that was designed especially for you?
A: Yes.
Q: Have you gotten any feedback from family or friends?
A: It’s all over my Facebook page. People have been commenting on the video.
Q: What motivates you?
A: When I was born, the doctors told my mom I’d be stuck in a wheelchair the rest of my life. That has fueled me to get out of my chair and into the walker and be more active. I’m out of the chair from 8:30 in the morning until about 5 or 6 in the evening.
Q: Kyle, what’s your message to other people who are dealing with physical handicaps and other hardships?
A: Before I got into the game, I told my teammates that I hope it ignited people with disabilities, showing them that they could do whatever they want, however they want to do it.
Joe Cortez
This story was originally published September 27, 2015 at 6:02 AM with the headline "Quick Hits: A Q&A with Calaveras player with cerebral palsy."