Athlete with cerebral palsy offers inspiration during visit – Niagara Gazette

NORTH TONAWANDA Mike Brown started playing table tennis at the age of 13. Today, the Rochester native is among the best competitive players in the world, having been selected to participate in the Parapan American Games.

But he's not just another athlete.

Brown, now 56, has cerebral palsy. While the disability has impaired his lower body, he's still got full mobility in his upper body and he's used his talents to earnseveral medals at different competitive levels.Though he uses a cane to get from place to place, he stands at the table and even though he doesn't move much, it's rare that the ball gets past him.

"I don't let it stop me from doing nothing," he said. "Nothing."

On Thursday afternoon, Brown made a stop at the Forest View Senior Village in North Tonawanda to give a table tennis demonstration to some of the residents. He came at the request of employee MaryBeth McClaren, who has known Brown since 2000, when he helped coach her son in the sport of table tennis.

Brown got his start playing locally in the Rochester area, specifically with the Genesee Valley Table Tennis Club, where he's the only handicapped player. He eventually found his way into regional, national and international competitions.

However, being on disability and not having excess cash, traveling to these events became a strain on Brown's wallet.McClaren and her family decided to repay Brown for the help he gave her son helping him with some of those expenses in return.

"I found out that Mike, who had been so helpful to the family, almost couldn't have his wish to go compete with the Paralympics, which involves traveling and going far away and going to different countries," McClaren said. "So my family decided that we would work with Mike and get him on the trip."

Brown said if it hadn't been for the McClarens' generosity, he likely wouldn't be where he is now. Though a incident from his youth, which he said he doesn't actually recall, prevented him from entering Canada to compete in the games in 2015, he said he still wants to keep climbing the rankings until he reaches the distinction of best player in the world.

On Thursday, residents at Forest View got to see Brown's talent first hand. They asked him questions and learned about the techniques of how to play the game well. It's part of Forest View's S.E.L.F (Seniors Empowered to Live Life to the Fullest) program, which promotes physical, spiritual and mention wellness among residents. The staff hoped the demonstration would show residents, especially those with their own disabilities, that they can still be active.

"(McClaren) told me to come down here and I was like, 'I'm on my way,'" Brown said with a laugh. "I told her anything you want me to do, I'm there."

Joining Brown for the demonstration was Ray Nagel, owner of MatchPoint Table Tennis Center on Gilmore Avenue in North Tonawanda. He explained to residents the techniques employed during a match and how to properly execute those techniques.

Nagel referred to himself as someone who values the importance of technique and said he carefully watches how his opponent plays. In Brown's case, who Nagal said he first played about 12 years ago, Nagal said he has all the talent of a technical player, but a style that's all his own.

"In table tennis, proper technique is a full body work out, you have to do things right with your feet, your legs, your waist, your shoulders, elbows, everything," he said. "(Mike) has really adapted. He gets the job done, just without the usual technique."

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Athlete with cerebral palsy offers inspiration during visit - Niagara Gazette