Minnesota
Minnesota family who served 50+ foster children supporting son’s athletic fight
The Sibleys’ oldest son plays basketball in Minnesota with a bleeding condition. As Mike Max explains, it’s just a small piece of life for the family that is making a difference beyond what most feel is possible.
Video Transcript
BASKETBALL PROVIDES A A STORY THAT EXTENDS WELL BEYOND THE GAME.
BASKETBALL PROVIDES A A STORY THAT EXTENDS WELL BEYOND THE GAME.
THE SIBLEY FAMILY HAS AN OLDEST SON WHO PLAYS BASKETBALL WITH A CONDITION THAT MAKES IT COMMENDABLE THAT HE PLAYS IT ALL, BUT THAT’S JUST A SMALL PIECE OF LIFE FOR THE FAMILY BEYOND WHAT MOST FEEL IS POSSIBLE.
THE SIBLEY FAMILY HAS AN OLDEST SON WHO PLAYS BASKETBALL WITH A CONDITION THAT MAKES IT COMMENDABLE THAT HE PLAYS IT ALL, BUT THAT’S JUST A SMALL PIECE OF LIFE FOR THE FAMILY BEYOND WHAT MOST FEEL IS POSSIBLE.
THE STORY STARTS 17.
THE STORY STARTS 17.
YEARS AGO, WHEN A YOUNG COUPLE WENT TO COLUMBIA TO MEET THEIR NEW ADOPTED SON.
YEARS AGO, WHEN A YOUNG COUPLE WENT TO COLUMBIA TO MEET THEIR NEW ADOPTED SON.
AT THE ORPHANAGE I WAS THERE, YOU ACTUALLY, YOU YOU WAIT IN A GREEN ROOM FOR, YOU KNOW IT COULD BE A 30 MINUTES TO AN HOUR.
AT THE ORPHANAGE I WAS THERE, YOU ACTUALLY, YOU YOU WAIT IN A GREEN ROOM FOR, YOU KNOW IT COULD BE A 30 MINUTES TO AN HOUR.
IT’S UNCLEAR.
IT’S UNCLEAR.
AND THEN THEY BRING YOU YOUR CHILD.
AND THEN THEY BRING YOU YOUR CHILD.
AND SO THEY BROUGHT LUCAS INTO US, PLACED HIM IN OUR ARMS.
AND SO THEY BROUGHT LUCAS INTO US, PLACED HIM IN OUR ARMS.
AND THAT WAS OUR FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH LUCAS.
AND THAT WAS OUR FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH LUCAS.
AND LUCAS WOULD GROW INTO A TYPICAL TEENAGER FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE GAME OF BASKETBALL.
AND LUCAS WOULD GROW INTO A TYPICAL TEENAGER FALLING IN LOVE WITH THE GAME OF BASKETBALL.
THAT’S HOW I FOUND MOST OF MY FRIENDSHIPS IS WITH BASKETBALL.
THAT’S HOW I FOUND MOST OF MY FRIENDSHIPS IS WITH BASKETBALL.
AND SO LIKE, THAT’S BEEN FUN.
AND SO LIKE, THAT’S BEEN FUN.
HIS PARENTS, HIS MOTHER, A BEHAVIORAL THERAPIST, AND HIS FATHER, AN EMERGENCY ROOM DOCTOR, THEY NOTICED SOMETHING ABOUT THEIR SON WHEN HE HAD WISDOM TEETH PULLED LAST YEAR.
HIS PARENTS, HIS MOTHER, A BEHAVIORAL THERAPIST, AND HIS FATHER, AN EMERGENCY ROOM DOCTOR, THEY NOTICED SOMETHING ABOUT THEIR SON WHEN HE HAD WISDOM TEETH PULLED LAST YEAR.
THIS LAST FALL, HE HAD SOME WISDOM TEETH THAT WERE EXTRACTED AND HE KEPT BLEEDING.
THIS LAST FALL, HE HAD SOME WISDOM TEETH THAT WERE EXTRACTED AND HE KEPT BLEEDING.
HE WAS BLED AND BLED.
HE WAS BLED AND BLED.
HE WAS DIAGNOSED A HEMOPHILIAC, A BLEEDING DISORDER.
HE WAS DIAGNOSED A HEMOPHILIAC, A BLEEDING DISORDER.
SO A ROUTINE INJURY LIKE THIS TO HIS LEG TURNED INTO FIVE WEEKS ON THE SHELF HE’S BACK AND HE’S PLAYING.
SO A ROUTINE INJURY LIKE THIS TO HIS LEG TURNED INTO FIVE WEEKS ON THE SHELF HE’S BACK AND HE’S PLAYING.
DESPITE THE CONDITION, THE BEHAVIORAL THERAPIST THAT IS HIS MOTHER SHE UNDERSTANDS THE VALUE OF SPORTS.
DESPITE THE CONDITION, THE BEHAVIORAL THERAPIST THAT IS HIS MOTHER SHE UNDERSTANDS THE VALUE OF SPORTS.
TO ME IT’S ABOUT BEING ON THE TEAM.
TO ME IT’S ABOUT BEING ON THE TEAM.
IT’S ABOUT STRIVING FOR SOMETHING.
IT’S ABOUT STRIVING FOR SOMETHING.
IT’S ABOUT WORKING HARD.
IT’S ABOUT WORKING HARD.
IT’S ABOUT IT’S ABOUT ALL OF THE ENERGY THAT YOUR BODY NEEDS TO DO, THAT THE CHARACTER NEEDED AROUND THAT IT’S ALL IT’S THE LEARNING OF THE DOING OF THE THING AND THAT’S WHERE THIS STORY GETS FASCINATING.
IT’S ABOUT IT’S ABOUT ALL OF THE ENERGY THAT YOUR BODY NEEDS TO DO, THAT THE CHARACTER NEEDED AROUND THAT IT’S ALL IT’S THE LEARNING OF THE DOING OF THE THING AND THAT’S WHERE THIS STORY GETS FASCINATING.
LIKE, YOU KNOW, YOU JUST MET SEE, WHEN TED BECAME A DOCTOR AND ERIN FIRST WORKED AS A TEACHER, THEY GOT A CALLING BEYOND LUCAS THEY NOW HAVE LIFELONG SPECIAL NEEDS, AND THEY HAVE NOW SERVED AS A FOSTER HOME FOR 52 CHILDREN.
LIKE, YOU KNOW, YOU JUST MET SEE, WHEN TED BECAME A DOCTOR AND ERIN FIRST WORKED AS A TEACHER, THEY GOT A CALLING BEYOND LUCAS THEY NOW HAVE LIFELONG SPECIAL NEEDS, AND THEY HAVE NOW SERVED AS A FOSTER HOME FOR 52 CHILDREN.
OVER THE YEARS.
OVER THE YEARS.
THE SIBLEY BOAT IS REALLY BIG WITH A LOT OF CREW.
THE SIBLEY BOAT IS REALLY BIG WITH A LOT OF CREW.
IT’S ON FIRE SOMETIMES, BUT IT’S GOT A LOT OF CREW AND IT HAS A LOT OF RESOURCES.
IT’S ON FIRE SOMETIMES, BUT IT’S GOT A LOT OF CREW AND IT HAS A LOT OF RESOURCES.
THIS JOURNEY HAS BECOME ABOUT ONE COUPLE BUCKING THE LIFE THEY THOUGHT WOULD BE WHEN THEY MET IN COLLEGE.
THIS JOURNEY HAS BECOME ABOUT ONE COUPLE BUCKING THE LIFE THEY THOUGHT WOULD BE WHEN THEY MET IN COLLEGE.
AND THEN I WAS GOING TO HAVE TWO HEALTHY BABIES THAT LOOKED LIKE ME, AND I WAS GOING TO.
AND THEN I WAS GOING TO HAVE TWO HEALTHY BABIES THAT LOOKED LIKE ME, AND I WAS GOING TO.
YEAH.
YEAH.
AND I WAS GOING TO LIVE IN THE BURBS.
AND I WAS GOING TO LIVE IN THE BURBS.
THEY’VE ACCEPTED THE CHAOS THEIR SON PLAY BASKETBALL WITH HIS CONDITION THAT’S JUST A BUMP THAT IS BRIDGED BY A COUPLE THAT HAS A ONE DAY AT A TIME FAITH.
THEY’VE ACCEPTED THE CHAOS THEIR SON PLAY BASKETBALL WITH HIS CONDITION THAT’S JUST A BUMP THAT IS BRIDGED BY A COUPLE THAT HAS A ONE DAY AT A TIME FAITH.
JUST LIKE HIM.
JUST LIKE HIM.
YOU KNOW, ENJOY HIGH SCHOOL PLAY SPORTS, AND LIVE HIS LIFE.
YOU KNOW, ENJOY HIGH SCHOOL PLAY SPORTS, AND LIVE HIS LIFE.
IT’S REALLY WHAT WE WANTED TO DO.
IT’S REALLY WHAT WE WANTED TO DO.
WHEN WE AND THE BOY THEY TOOK HOME FROM AN ADOPTION AGENCY CAN FEEL THAT LOVE.
WHEN WE AND THE BOY THEY TOOK HOME FROM AN ADOPTION AGENCY CAN FEEL THAT LOVE.
SUPPORTED.
SUPPORTED.
I’D SAY THAT’S THE WORD SUPPORTED BY THEM.
I’D SAY THAT’S THE WORD SUPPORTED BY THEM.
LIKE, I MEAN, MY MOM AND DAD LOVE TO SEE ME PLAY, OBVIOUSLY, LIKE IT UPSETS ME WHEN AN INJURY HAPPENS.
LIKE, I MEAN, MY MOM AND DAD LOVE TO SEE ME PLAY, OBVIOUSLY, LIKE IT UPSETS ME WHEN AN INJURY HAPPENS.
LUCAS HAS LEARNED MUCH IN HIS WELL.
LUCAS HAS LEARNED MUCH IN HIS WELL.
GROWING UP IN WAYS MANY WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND OR EXPERIENCE.
GROWING UP IN WAYS MANY WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND OR EXPERIENCE.
THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES MESSY THINGS THAT COME WITH CARING FOR A SEVERELY AUTISTIC TEENAGE BOY.
THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES MESSY THINGS THAT COME WITH CARING FOR A SEVERELY AUTISTIC TEENAGE BOY.
AND AND LUCAS JUST MANAGES IT WHEN HE GETS HURT.
AND AND LUCAS JUST MANAGES IT WHEN HE GETS HURT.
YES, THERE IS THAT THIS GOING TO BE A BAD ONE?
YES, THERE IS THAT THIS GOING TO BE A BAD ONE?
BUT IT’S MORE OF A, OH MY GOSH HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE HIM OUT?
BUT IT’S MORE OF A, OH MY GOSH HOW LONG IS IT GOING TO TAKE HIM OUT?
AND THEY HAVE ALL LEARNED THAT LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT YOU THINK IT IS GOING TO BE.
AND THEY HAVE ALL LEARNED THAT LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT YOU THINK IT IS GOING TO BE.
THEY HAVE A REMINDER THAT HANGS IN THEIR KITCHEN.
THEY HAVE A REMINDER THAT HANGS IN THEIR KITCHEN.
COURTESY JOHN WESLEY TO REMIND THEM OF JUST THAT ALL THE GOOD THAT WE CAN, BY ALL THE MEANS THAT WE CAN, AND ALL THE WAYS THAT WE CAN IN ALL THE PLACES THAT WE CAN AND TIME THAT WE CAN, PEOPLE WE CAN, AS LONG AS WE CAN.
COURTESY JOHN WESLEY TO REMIND THEM OF JUST THAT ALL THE GOOD THAT WE CAN, BY ALL THE MEANS THAT WE CAN, AND ALL THE WAYS THAT WE CAN IN ALL THE PLACES THAT WE CAN AND TIME THAT WE CAN, PEOPLE WE CAN, AS LONG AS WE CAN.
WE CAN ALL LEARN SOMETHING FROM THAT BOY.
WE CAN ALL LEARN SOMETHING FROM THAT BOY.
GOOD JOB THEY HAVE PAUSED THEIR FOSTER
GOOD JOB THEY HAVE PAUSED THEIR FOSTER
See how the bald eagle’s story shows its enduring symbolism
As the U.S. celebrates 250 years, the bald eagle endures as North America’s native sea eagle and national bird.
The common loon, Minnesota’s state bird, is more closely related to a penguin than a duck.
Despite loons predominantly living in the northern hemisphere and penguins mostly living in the southern hemisphere, researchers consider them to be genetic cousins. Taxonomic analyses placed them in an evolutionary cluster tracing back 40 million to 50 million years ago, along with herons and pelicans.
While loons and ducks share habitat on Minnesota lakes, they aren’t close relatives. Ducks are closer cousins to geese and swans.
After sharing a common ancestor, penguins and loons developed distinct characteristics. Loons can fly, but struggle to move on land; penguins can’t fly, but waddle on land. Penguins use flipper-like wings to swim; loons use webbed feet for underwater propulsion.
They have some similar features, however, including dense bones to help dive underwater and their tuxedo coloring.
MinnPost partners with Gigafact to produce fact briefs — bite-sized fact checks of trending claims. Read our methodology to learn how we check claims.
Fires in the past burned more frequently in western Canada, but recent years have seen that trend migrate eastward, with large fires now burning in Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic provinces, Prof Chasmer said, leading to more noticeable smoke in densely populated cities like Toronto and New York.
Minnesota United, the Liberia Lone Star National Football Team and SARX today announced that the international friendly against the Liberia National Team, scheduled for July 26, 2026, has been canceled.
While we were looking forward to welcoming the Liberia National Team and celebrating the strong ties between Minnesota’s Liberian community and our club, circumstances outside of our control have made it necessary to cancel the match. We appreciate the understanding of our supporters and wish the Liberia National Team all the best.
Fans who purchased tickets to the match will be refunded within approximately 3-10 business days.
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