MARS - Anna Mei Schurer isn't unlike any other 9-year-old.

She's active, funny and athletic. And, like most children her age, she most certainly doesn't like to be crowded by her mother.

But it's a hard request for Gibsonia resident Shelley Schurer to honor at times due to her daughter's disability. Anna Mei is hearing impaired.

For that reason, Shelley Schurer often can be found going up and down the basketball court with her daughter, signing anytime a referee or coach makes a call.

Anna Mei participates in the Upward Basketball program at Mars Alliance Church, which combines the sport of basketball with lessons about Jesus Christ.

Her loss of hearing makes it challenging to participate, but Shelley Schurer said she insists her daughter not let her disability hold her back.

"We want her to participate in things outside the Western Pennsylvania School for the Deaf," Shelley Schurer said. "Right now, she plays softball for Pine-Richland School District and she goes to Brownies."

Anna Mei decided she wanted to participate in the basketball program this year after watching her sister, Abigail, play in the league for the last two years.

But in order for Anna Mei to participate on the basketball court, an interpreter had to accompany her so she could understand what was being said.

Adopted from China at the age of 3, Anna Mei already was hearing impaired, Shelley Schurer said. She is unable to read lips, so any communication with her must be with sign language.

"It's not an ideal situation for a parent to be the interpreter," she said. "The kids really don't like it."

Anna Mei agreed.

"Mom talks too much and signs too much," Anna Mei said, adding she prefers to be on the court by herself.

Anna Mei was very emphatic that she understands much of what is transpiring on the court, adding she needs little help from her mom. And when she does need it, she is sure to let her know.

Shelley Schurer said even though it irritates Anna Mei if she's too involved, she just wants to make sure her daughter is getting the full benefit of playing by understanding what is being said.

"People take for granted how much information they're getting (by ear) and how much she's not," she said. "But she wants to be just like the other girls."

To help Anna Mei adjust to being on the team, Shelley Schurer took photos of the

referees and coaches using hand signals for the calls so she could teach her daughter what they were saying.

She said many of the children on the team have expressed interest in learning how to sign so they can communicate with Anna Mei.

"Kids want to sign," she said. "They think it's interesting and they want to learn how to do it."

Scott Clary, who coaches Anna Mei's team, said it has been a real blessing working with Anna Mei.

"Anna Mei is a quick study and she picks up things very quickly," he said. "For Anna Mei to play basketball with other 'hearing' girls is quite a step of faith and courage on her part.

"The games can get pretty chaotic at times, and Anna Mei is in there competing just as hard as any of the other kids."

Clary said he doesn't know much sign language, but he noted that Anna Mei, like other children, responds well to smiles and a big thumbs-up sign.

Clary's daughter, Paige, who also is on the team, helps during instructional drill time when Shelley Schurer is unable to be there.

"Thanks go to her parents and all the other parents out there who give us coaches in Upward Basketball the privilege of instructing these kids in the game of basketball, but more importantly the love that Jesus Christ has for each one of them." Clary said.

"I have tremendous respect for (Anna Mei) and I only hope that her experience with the Upward Basketball Program is as rewarding for her as it has been for me."