GREEN RIVER, UTAH
Every Monday, Conner Newland logs onto the computer and experiences a Mormon mission the only way he can — through the letters of a friend.
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is slowly robbing 18-year-old Conner of his ability to move. But thanks to the love and loyalty of friends, the disease cannot steal some of life's best experiences from him.
All of the young men in the Green River Ward in the Moab Utah Stake have grown up making sure Conner is included in as much as possible.
"The priests are so involved in taking care of Conner," said his mom, Valerie Newland. "They come and pick him up and take him to the activities. They include him in everything."
One young man, Keith Clark, was especially attentive to Conner. His affection for Conner almost kept him from serving a mission.
"Because everybody knows that Conner's condition is fatal, he almost didn't go," said Sister Newland. "He was so concerned that he would leave and Conner would die. We told him, 'As long as you're doing the Lord's work, it will be fine.' "
Elder Keith Clark, serving in the Tennessee Knoxville Mission, writes to his friend every Monday.
"We're living our mission through this young man," said Sister Newland. "He says, 'This is our mission. I'm doing these baptisms for you. You got me here.' It's the mission [Conner] couldn't take."
Conner was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy when he was 4. Doctors told his parents how the disease would slowly cripple their beautiful son and eventually take his life.
"They sit you down, and give you all the worst," she said. "You fall apart. And then say, 'OK, now go home and live your life.' "
She laughs a little, and then adds, "So we did."
And life in the Newland household includes sports. Lots and lots of sports.
With two older brothers, Conner grew up at basketball and baseball games.
Like his brothers, he played Little League baseball, but as his disease progressed, it changed how he participated.
"They start little league when they're 8," said Sister Newland. "It was very, very noticeable then. He could hit the ball, but he ran slow, so he'd always get out. Sometimes kids would allow him to get there. Sometimes they (his teammates) would carry him to first base."
At age 10, the disease robbed him of the ability to walk and move his arms freely. It did not, however, take away his desire to immerse himself in athletics. He became the manager of his school's baseball and basketball teams. He began to support the boys who had once carried him.
He appreciated his involvement, but he also nurtured a dream.
"I want to be a coach," he said.
Adds his mom, "He was waiting for [Utah Jazz coach] Jerry Sloan to retire."
And while the Hall of Fame coach did step down this season, Conner wasn't available for the job because he'd already been offered another position.
Green River High School hired Tom Hughes to coach the boys basketball team last spring. The new coach asked about getting Conner more involved, and thought he might be able to make an arrangement with another team to get Conner on the floor during a varsity game.
"I wanted to have him announced as a starter," Coach Hughes said. "But then his mom said what he'd really like is to coach. … I couldn't believe that I didn't see that."
So he offered Conner a job — freshman team head coach.
"He's a great coach," Hughes said. "He is actually really knowledgeable. He does a lot of scouting [for varsity] and stats."
School district officials had concerns that allowing Coach Newland on the sideline during games would be risky.
"They were afraid he'd get hurt," Sister Newland said. "He can't protect himself at all. But after the other coaches said they'd sit right by him and block anything, it was smooth sailing."
Conner took over the freshman program completely. His players said he's tough but very positive. Sophomore Spencer Marshall said there is nothing different or difficult about a coach in a wheelchair. Other coaches or players help him demonstrate the plays or drills he teaches.
"If he wants something done, we can try to do it," Spencer said. "And if we don't do it right, he just tells us, 'Don't give up. Keep trying.' "
Spencer said the most important lesson he's learned from Coach Conner Newland is teamwork.
"You have other players on your team so work with them," he said. "Help other people, not just yourself."
That is the same lesson Conner has also taught by example to the young men in his priesthood quorum.
"They all look up to Conner and he helps guide them in the right direction," Sister Newland said. "He's a pretty special kid. He's the example for us, for our entire family."
He's also become an example to the entire Green River community. The young people at school and in his ward exhibit a level of love and compassion that sometimes surprises even his mom.
"He has taught everybody not to be afraid of someone in a wheelchair," said Valerie. "And when the kids take him anywhere, they literally take care of him. They have to do everything for him — feed him, bathe him, dress him.."
Sister Newland said coming to terms with the reality of her son's disease was difficult. But Conner's attitude eased a lot of the pain.
"He has such a positive attitude," she said smiling at him. "He makes it easy."
