Chance to get back on court drives Weber
Stroke during brain surgery paralyzed left side of body
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — Parker Weber, a 6-foot-8 forward, was a force on the basketball court for the Aquinas Blugolds whether it was posting a double-double or winning a state championship his junior season. He was rewarded with a scholarship from NCAA II Minnesota State University-Moorhead.
But for the past three years, something just wasn’t right at times.
“I’d be playing in a basketball game and I’d just have this deja vu moment where I’d just stare into space and my coaches were wondering what I was doing.”
They were mini-seizures related to a benign brain tumor that was discovered this past May. Surgery was scheduled immediately to remove it.
“Right after surgery, I actually didn’t wake up right away, and then when I did finally open my eyes I wasn’t able to stay up for more than five seconds at a time.”
Complications arose from brain surgery.
“I don’t really remember the past three days after I woke up from surgery. I don’t remember anything.”
Parker suffered a stroke which paralyzed the entire left side of his body. But at a time in someone’s life where doubt could enter the mind, Parker stayed optimistic.
“With all the love and support of my friends and family and teammates and coaches made it a lot easier.”
He quickly came to terms with the hand he was dealt.
“I thought I was dreaming. Then I came to realize that it’s real life and I need to make the best of it.”
After five weeks of physical therapy at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, the rehab continues at the Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse. His positive attitude keeps turning positive results.
“I mean just these little things. They thought at first I’d have to use a wheelchair for the whole summer and I didn’t use it once once we brought it home.”
MSUM is holding Parker’s scholarship for next year. And doctors say there’s a chance he can get back to 100-percent, and be that dominating player on the basketball court again.
“For me, that’s the end goal right now. That’s what keeps me pushing, my dream, my passion to play basketball again.”
