High school senior achieves lifelong dream after suffering stroke before birth

RANDOLPH, Mass. — A Braintree High senior’s lifelong dream just came true.

He plays a special role on the school’s varsity hockey team, but has never been able to a play due to a disability that he’s lived with since birth.

“I think the other 26 to 27 kids might be more excited than he is," said David Fasano, Braintree High School's Head Boys Varsity Hockey Coach.

It's an opportunity Braintree High School senior Mike Summers waited for his whole life, not knowing if it would ever happen.

“I definitely wasn’t expecting it," said Summers. “I can't thank the coaches enough for making this happen today."

Summers has been the varsity hockey coach's team manager for the last four years.

“I do have a big role and I fill up water bottles before games and I practice every once and a while too," he said.

But he’s never had the chance to play in an organized game.

Summers suffered a stroke before birth and has always faced cognitive and balance coordination challenges.

“When he was around 4 years old we took him to skating school about two weeks into it the director came up to us and said he’ll never be able to skate," said his father, John Summers.

His mother, Rosetta Summers, said: "He’s always had to struggle and fight a little bit harder."

That hasn’t stopped their son from pushing himself with a positive outlook.

And on this rink in Randolph on senior night, it's proof that hard work pays off. Summers was told he’d be suiting up and playing in the game against Belmont.

"Mike summers is Braintree High hockey," Fasano said.

“He gives us a reason to play because we know he’d love to be our position and we’re very lucky," said Kyle Roche, Braintree High junior.

In this moment, Summers was no different than the other players -- even scoring the final goal in the team’s win.

He says he couldn’t have done it without the support from his teammates.

“They’re just a good group of kids they’re always there they always make me laugh and make me smile," Summers said. “Because you don’t meet a goal in a certain amount of time doesn’t mean you can't achieve it."

Mike’s parents tell us they hope this sends a message to other kids to follow their passion and to not be discouraged by obstacles in life.

Mike plans to attend a state school in the fall and wants to pursue a career in sports management.

Cox Media Group