The Miracle League

 

Recently my husband and I experienced the joy of watching a VERY SPECIAL baseball game at the Langham Creek YMCA. This game was part of the national organization called The Miracle League. The YMCA has partnered with this league to help children with special needs play baseball. Thanks to the efforts of Shawn Borzelleri (one of our top Houston YMCA executives), this league has blossomed into a program that continues to grow and give joy to so many children who could never otherwise play the America's favorite sport. The games are excited and heartwarming. The "buddies" volunteer to help each child so that the parents can sit back and enjoy the game too. In fact, they even have announcers which help the ball players feel like they are in the big leagues. Pictured here is my husband, Clark and Shawn, with one of these special ball players. There is currently a campaign to raise enough funds to build a field that will be specifically for these children. The hope is to have a complex which will include a custom-designed field with a cushioned rubberized surface to help prevent injuries, wheelchair accessible dugouts, and a completely flat surface to eliminate any barriers to wheelchair-bound or visually impaired players. After seeing the smiles on the faces of the ball players, the buddies, and the parents, you will want to contribute---I know we did! Shawn, thanks for your hard work in promoting this program---YOU are our MIRACLE! Check out the Miracle League website at http://www.miracleleague.com/home.html

Meeting Superman

It was a chance meeting.  My husband and I were waiting to be seated at our favorite restaurant in Nashville, Tin Angel.  I spotted a very happy, upbeat-looking young man who sat down next to us.  We began to chat and I found that Matthew's hero is Superman.  He proudly pulled out his Superman wallet that has the pictured logo dominately displayed.  It was indeed a special wallet.  I told his friend, Melissa, that I would send them one of my books.  She since has emailed me and told me that Matthew is as remarkable as his hero.  Four years ago his dentist found a malignant tumor in his upper jaw and he had extensive reconstructive surgery and chemotherapy. He is still cancer free and has such a great attitude.  Melissa tells me that he is quite the prankster.  She wrote, "He is so special in my life as well as that of his family."
Yes, I think I met a real Superman that day.  I hope you enjoy my book, Matthew.  God bless you and your family.  

 

"Angels Unaware"

My niece, Laura, recently sent me this lovely poem.  I'd like to share:

I believe there are angels unaware
They are the people that need special care
They may be limited in many ways
But they seem to brighten all of your days
They may be mentally challenged or physically challenged too
But all they want is to be accepted by you
They are a very special gift from heaven above
And if you're patient, they will teach you real love!

Thanks, Laura.  I know our family agrees with this poem.

This School Has Heart

"Three Tennessee homecoming king nominees made a unanimous and touching decision that no matter who won, they would give the crown to a beloved student with a genetic condition.
Students Jesse Cooper, Drew Gibbs and Zeke Grissom were all nominated for homecoming king at Community High School's basketball homecoming ceremony.
The teens got together and decided that the winner would turn over the honor to junior Scotty Maloney, who has Williams Syndrome, a neurological disorder that inhibits learning and speech.
'I've been blessed with so many things,' Cooper told ABC News' Nashville affiliate WKRN-TV. 'I just wanted Scotty to experience something great in his high school days.'"
I couldn't resist sharing this.  I think you can see through the photo how excited Scotty was to receive this honor.  The article went on to say how considerate this 500 member student body is to those with special needs.  All schools need to model such caring and consideration. Thank you boys and thank you Community High School.

Check Out Kelle Hampton's Blog

This mother has such a refreshing blog, especially with her fabulously crisp, sensitive photographs.  She is the writer AND the photographer.  If you know anyone who is a new mom of a child with special needs, please direct her to this blog.  Kelle celebrates the "the small things" and will give hope and joy to all who read it.  Thanks, Kelle, for such an upbeat, well done blog---no wonder you have won awards!  I hope to give you a taste of her photography soon.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD

My father would have been 87 on December 5.  Unfortunately he passed away on October 15.  The asbestos lungs he had contracted from a navy ship  when he was nineteen just couldn't keep his fragile body going.  As you can see from this photo, he was such a handsome man who loved his God, his family, and his country.  He and mom had been married for 65 years and, as you can imagine, his death has been very difficult.
One of the best decisions Dad ever made was to keep my brother Mark with his family. We all gained from knowing and loving our special brother.  Thanks, Dad, for your many gifts, but especially for the gift of Mark.

Who is this princess?

Somewhere in my travels I've missplaced the name of this lovely little girl! Her parents purchased my book and I believe they live in Louisiana. If anyone reading this blog knows this family, please email me and let me know so I can share on my blog.
She was one of many bright moments I had at the convention in July.