11-year-old gets VIP experience, new wheelchair at Hawks game

ATLANTA — A boy got the experience of a lifetime when the Atlanta Hawks treated him to a VIP experience and gave him a sports wheelchair, thanks to Bert’s Big Adventure.

Raynel Granel-Lopez, 11, of Powder Springs, Georgia, suffered a brain injury after being diagnosed with bacterial meningitis when he was 4 years old.

Thanks to the team and the nonprofit organization, Raynel received a competitive sports wheelchair, which allows him to live out his dream of playing basketball. He and his family also had a VIP evening with the Hawks.

“We thought it would be good, but never thought it would be that big of a deal,” his father, Raymond Grannel, said. “Everything was so perfectly coordinated.”

Raynel and his family joined the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on Tuesday, kicking off an evening of festivities with a warm welcome from the Atlanta Hawks cheerleaders at the official players’ entrance.

Raynel received a personalized jersey and later participated in a private basketball lesson from David Snowden and Fox Sports Southeast Live studio analyst Mike Glenn on the Atlanta Hawks practice court.

He enjoyed courtside access to the pregame shoot-around, where he received a basketball and shoes that were later signed by the NBA players. The evening also included a private locker room tour and a special introduction to the team as he was announced as the sixth man for the game and guest of honor during the starting lineup.

Raynel was able to provide some extra luck to the team, leading them to a 103-90 victory over the Phoenix Suns.
Raymond Granel said his son is a normal, active child who loves sports.

“He used to be outside with me all the time,” his father said.

When he was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis just a month after his fourth birthday, he went deaf and became handicapped. His spirit and love of sports did not waver.

“He loves to play basketball,” his father said, adding that Raynel would often see neighbors playing outside and want to join in the games. “We make it happen, but it’s quite a challenge.”

His father said his son would play for a couple of minutes, then go inside.

“We don’t know much about wheelchair basketball or have the equipment,” his father said.

Raymond Granel compared his son’s new wheelchair to the sports car version of a regular one, which he said is bringing new opportunities as the family begins looking into wheelchair basketball leagues for him to join.

“He loves it. We just have to watch him because it doesn’t have brakes,” his father joked.

While Raynel enjoyed the night of a lifetime with his parents, his aunt and eight close friends, the effects of the gifts will be long-lasting, his father said.

“His spirit is so big that nothing stops him,” he said. “Since he is deaf, he’s never heard that something can’t be done.”

Cox Media Group