It started with a new car running out of gas.
Mary Beth Stasey, wife of Annetta Mayor Pro-Tem Kent Stasey, was traveling in Aledo when her new company car ran out of gas. “My old company car I could go 50 miles before I got worried. This new one, when it says “E” it means “E,” she said.
She pulled over in a driveway and a concerned homeowner came to see if she needed help.
Chris and Amy Parks came out to check on Mary Beth. She explained that she ran out of gas and called Kent to come to her rescue. Well, one thing led to another and they filled the time waiting on Kent with wonderful conversation.
Chris and his wife are new to Parker county and Mary Beth was more than happy to tell them what a wonderful area they just moved to. When Kent showed, he was also more than happy to share his knowledge and thus a new friendship was created.
It was Mary Beth’s idea to have Chris and Amy come to the April 17 city council meeting to share their story about what brought them to Parker County. Chris is President and founder of the Texas Outlaws.
The Outlaws are members of the National Wheelchair Basketball Association. Chris’ story on how he was an active member in the military to having his leg amputated and playing wheelchair basketball is one of inspiration.
This is Chris’ journey:
“I was in the Army stationed in Fort Hood — it was February 28, 2014. I was asked to host a charity poker game for the Officers wife club. I was sick earlier that day and I knew I had strep throat. I was a P.A, physician assistant, so I knew that I needed to get some rest in order for my body to heal itself.
“I went to bed on Feb. 28 and woke up April 15. Between this time, I became very ill and on March 1 my leg was amputated. When I was at the hospital the doctors did extensive tests and discovered that I had a flesh-eating bacteria.
“I went from 6’2 to 4’9, because I am now sitting in a wheelchair.” Chris has a warped sense of humor!
So, Chris spent his time in physical therapy and his children were young teenagers watching his every move. He had a brilliant epiphany — he said, “I can sit here and cry in my beer or I can show them it’s not what happens to you but, it’s about what you do next.”
After some more therapy, Chris wanted to get back to working out and getting stronger. He had played basketball in school and also for the Army. Chris was at a crossroad. There was no wheelchair basketball leagues or teams for him so, Chris’s wife Amy said: “Make your own.”
With that, Chris started getting the word out. It didn’t matter if a person was in a wheelchair or not, he was telling everyone he meets that there was a new wheelchair basketball league forming.
“We went from three players to 17 players in just a matter of months. Then, we started to get competitive and playing other teams from not just Texas but from all over.”
“We wanted to go and be competitive on a different level. We decided to put our team in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association tournament and play for a national championship. The best teams from all over the United States were there.
“In almost every game, we were the underdog. But, we played as a team, made some crucial shots, and when it was all said and done, The Texas Outlaws were the Division 3 2025 National Champions!”
Chris and Amy are always looking for more players and sponsorships. Chris, Amy, and the players have been this success on their own dime. They even have some extra wheelchairs if that is what is holding a new player back.
You can contact Chris on the Texas Outlaws Wheelchair Facebook page.
Reporter’s note: Working for The Community News has allowed me to be witness of wonderful moments from our community that I get to share with all of you. Thursday night’s city council meeting was one of those moments.
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