THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 11, 1996 TAG: 9608090216
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: 83 lines
SOMEDAY, 12-YEAR-OLD Jason Wallbank expects to be on his high school soccer team.
And he is planning on playing so well that a college scholarship will be waiting for his athletic achievements upon graduation.
Lofty dreams?
Well, at the start of this year Jason had to learn how to walk all over again.
Jason is recovering from injuries suffered in a fire at his home last December. Now he wears braces on both legs and a budding soccer career that began when he was just 4 years old is on hold.
But he plays golf, practices karate and just became the city's middle school champion for sit-ups in a physical fitness competition.
``And someday I'll be playing soccer again,'' said the youngster in a steady voice that left no doubt that a lack of determination would not stop him.
On Dec. 12, in a bedroom fire caused by an electrical heater, Jason received second- and third-degree burns over nearly 60 percent of his body.
After treatment in the burn trauma unit of Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, Jason began therapy from two to four hours, five days a week.
``He wasn't burned from his ankles down,'' said his mother, Teresa. ``But it left him with no mobility in his ankles.''
By day he wears AFO braces. Each night, he sleeps with casts on both legs.
Next month, he will return to the hospital for a Botex treatment as an out-patient. Basically, it causes strong muscles to relax.
``And then, maybe I can run again,'' said Jason. ``You can't play soccer if you can't run.''
Jason, the oldest of three children, was born in Los Angeles, but the Wallbanks moved to Portsmouth when he was just 15 months old.
He started playing soccer as a 4-year-old on his dad's team in the Churchland Rec League. Until his injury, he played every year since - always with Ashley Wallbank as his coach.
Jason became a select player for the Renegades, primarily as a right winger. He also was a stopper.
This year, he became a spectator at the Renegades games, but he attended the practices and even put in time as a goalie in the workouts.
``Watching isn't the same as playing,'' said Jason, a 5-foot, 72-pounder. ``It's the competition that I really like. I can't wait until I get back out on the soccer field.''
Jason, who will be 13 in September and is transferring from Hunt-Mapp to Churchland Middle School this year, lost a semester of school.
``He is an honor roll student and was in the Magnet program,'' said his mother. ``But he is one of the youngest ones in his class and we felt it would be better if he repeated this grade.''
In May, the city's middle schools had a physical fitness competition and Jason won a gold medal and a certificate for the most sit-ups in one minute.
``They said I had 64. I figured somebody miscounted because I had 75. But maybe some of them didn't count because I did something wrong.''
Earlier Jason practiced at home by doing 200 sit-ups before stopping.
Jason began karate at the suggestion of one of his doctors. He has lessons three times each week.
A soccer teammate, Jonathan Buxton, talked him into joining the youth golf program at City Park.
He enjoys swimming in his backyard pool.
And there is still therapy twice each week.
``I like golf and karate,'' said Jason. ``But not as good as soccer.''
He's certain 3-year-old brother Jarrett is going to be an athlete. ``He can hit and catch a baseball and he can kick the soccer ball. And I don't cut him any slack. I'll make him a good player.''
The Wallbanks know Jason has a lot of readjustments and hard work ahead of him. ``If anybody can handle this, it's Jason,'' said his dad.
Does Jason ever have thoughts of the fire?
``I still remember it,'' he said. ``But now I got it behind me.
``I'm looking forward to the treatment in September. In a way,'' he added with a grin.
``I want to play soccer in high school and I want to get a scholarship to college.
``I know I'm going to play again. I don't like to watch.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
Jason Wallbank, who is still recovering from burns suffered in a
house fire, plays golf, practices karate and just became the city's
middle school champion for sit-ups in a physical fitness
competition. by CNB