VALPARAISO | Abby Johnston and her mother, Madeline, are in Houston for the NBA All Star game.
Not only will Johnston get to be at the game, she will be playing a game with some of the stars and other athletes.
Johnston, 32, is a Porter County Special Olympian and this trip is part of NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified Sports Basketball game.
Special Olympics coach Lorrie Woycik, of Valparaiso, recommended Johnston because of her love of basketball and just the way Johnston is.
"There is no better example than Abby," Woycik said. "She will do us proud."
Besides playing in a game, Johnston will help the NBA stars do a service project at a food bank in Houston.
"I've been playing basketball since I was in the sixth grade," she said. "I'm looking forward to playing in the game."
Madeline Johnston is also excited for the opportunity her daughter had.
"Abby has played just about every sport," said her mom. "Her biggest loves are basketball and swimming. She's a lifegaurd at some of the winter games and coach for swimming."
Johnston has been in Special Olympics for 16 years. She has dyslexia but overcame it after receiving help for it beginning in first grade. She has a bachelor's degree in exercise science from Ball State University. She works at Self School and at the YMCA.
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