Ben Simmons meets local boy with cerebral palsy

A 12-year-old from Prospect Park has been through a lot and he had one wish as he recovers from a big operation at CHOP. 

On Thursday, that wish came true when Tyler got to meet 76ers player Ben Simmons. 

 

Tyler Osowski was born legally blind and has cerebral palsy. The sixth grader just had a major operation in June at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia to correct a limp and straighten out his left foot which was turned in.

After 6 days in ICU and being immobile for a month, Tyler is back at CHOP again going through an intensive 4- week in-patient rehab program to learn to walk again. Tyler remains upbeat the entire time always with a smile on his face.

His goal is to get back to doing what he loves the most playing basketball, especially with his twin brother, Anthony.

"Can't keep him off the court that's for sure. He eats, sleeps and breathes basketball," his dad, John Osowski, said.

While Tyler is temporarily sidelined, his family decided to deck out his hospital room in honor of his favorite NBA team the 76ers and his idol—number 25—Ben Simmons.

"I just like the fact that when he's on the court he knows what to do with the ball and he does good moves. He gets buckets easily," Tyler said.