Miracle Field: Home Plate Dedication

Today, our family attended the Miracle Field Home Plate Dedication for the new field being built at the University YMCA, just 15 minutes from our home. The photo shows the beginnings of a field complete with cardboard cut outs of players. (The back loader is real.)

After many speakers (in 95 degree heat) the home plate was set in place, and then we were served the proper baseball meal - hot dogs, Cracker Jacks, Babe Ruth chocolate bars and chips.

The field will be made of a hard rubber surface, perfect for wheelchairs and walkers. Games last about an hour, with just 2 innings played (I said a silent thank you when I heard that.). Each player has a buddy who is at least 12 years old. All players get to bat and it seems that the last batter always gets a home run. The focus is on meeting other families and making friends - baseball is just the medium.

Homer, the mascot for the Charlotte Knights Baseball Team, was in attendance. The team's owner, Bill Allen, has a strong interest in Miracle League. Along with the YMCA's support, this could become a great outlet for families with special needs and help build awareness about disabilities through volunteers and sponsorship. There was already mention of building more fields throughout Charlotte.

Ben is registered to play on opening day - September 8.

Local TV News Story
Miracle League Charlotte
YMCA Miracle League

Comments

Parenting an Adult Child with Disabilities

"Parenting an Adult Child with Disabilities" is a series on eSpeciallyBen. As Ben approached 18, it was clear our role changed as parents. We needed to help Ben transition into adulthood. These stories are meant to assist other families who face, or will face, some of the same challenges. Talking About the Future Guest Post - Matt Wilson Legal Guardianship, Medicaid and SSI Researching Group Homes Questions to Ask at a Group Home Visit Referral Packet for Group Homes Getting Assistance from a Care Manager From Group Home Placement to Discharge Reaching for Independence

Make this Race Amazing

Mecklenburg County's Therapeutic Recreation's Amazing Race is Saturday, March 24, 2012. All funds raised go directly to the scholarship fund for summer camp. Summer Camp is 8 weeks long with over 150 children with special needs participating. Last year, over $6,500 was given away in scholarships. In times of budget cuts and loss of resources, Amazing Race is a creative way for the staff to raise money for the children who may need financial assistance attending camp. I will be posting photos from 2011 camp. I am only posting photos that do not show faces of the children, but you will get the idea about how much they enjoy the activities. You don't have to see their smiles, you just have to feel them. The staff have sent me their thoughts on how they feel about camp and I will be posting those as well. Most are trained as recreational therapists and have devoted their life's work to helping children and adults with special needs learn skills, make friends, de...

He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother

After my post, Brotherly Love , I received an email from a reader who reminded me of this song. I knew the song, but had never really thought about the words and the meaning behind them. I looked it up and thought others might see the lyrics in a new light. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother The road is long With many a winding turn That leads us to who knows where Who knows when But I'm strong Strong enough to carry him He ain't heavy, he's my brother. So on we go His welfare is of my concern No burden is he to bear We'll get there For I know He would not encumber me If I'm laden at all I'm laden with sadness That everyone's heart Isn't filled with the gladness Of love for one another. It's a long, long road From which there is no return While we're on the way to there Why not share And the load Doesn't weigh me down at all He ain't heavy, he's my brother. He's my brother He ain't h...

eSpecially Ben

Search This Blog