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Testimonials
I am the aunt of the little boy named Zack Armstrong that we signed up
for the miracle league team yesterday. This is not as much as a thank
you for him as it is his Mom. I have a daughter who is 13 and another
daughter who is 11, (the same age as Zack, they are 3 months apart in
age.) My sister and I have always been extremely close, so as it turns
out so are our children. Amy tried for many years to have Zack, and for
him to be born with the mental and physical disabilities that he has
tore our lives up at the time. As the years went on our children have
seen each other every single day, and my youngest daughter taught Zack
how to crawl, and then walk, and also to talk etc..(his doctors were
telling us that he would never do any of these things, but he learned to
mock ALL of my daughters actions) We thought all of this was great until
sports activities came into my girls lives. Both of my daughters are
very involved on sports in our town. As they started to do these things
Zack was always at their games, and then started wanting to know when he
could start playing. That is when my sister went down mentally. We had
friends telling us that they would put Zack on their teams, but that he
would not get to play. We knew that this would only hurt him, so we have
always brushed him off yet another season as he has patiently sat and
watched his cousins play. This caused great pain for me to see my
healthy girls playing games that they loved with their friends, while my
sister and nephew went so far as to travel with us for all stars just so
they could root my daughters on. I have never lived in such guilt in my
life as I have for the last 5 years. It is a horrible feeling to sit
repeatedly and hurt for someone you love so much because they could not
be normal, if not for one minute, while it hurt even worse for the
helpless feeling that I knew my sister was feeling. Since my sister and
I watched the on line video yesterday, I can not tell you what you have
done for her. I will never be able to say thank you to your organization
enough, or for you to know how much this has blessed two peoples lives
like it has. I know that you probably do not want to hear he thanks and
appreciative speeches, but God has laid it on my heart to pass this
story along to you. I wish we could have sent you a video of my sister
telling my nephew that for the first time, HE IS GOING TO PLAY
BASEBALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I do not know who had the biggest smile,
my sister or Zack.
Anyway, I am sorry I have taken up so much of your time. I just needed
to say a simple Thank You. Please pass this along to the others who are
responsible for blessing these kids lives like this.
WE WILL SEE YOU AT THE BALL PARK!!
SINCERELY,
Jody Crowe
Hello!
Writing to you after receiving my monthly newsletter from our homeschool
group. First time I had heard about the Miracle League in Moody.
How wonderful! Have to explain that I do not listen to the radio
much but mostly listen to DJC for the Contemporary Christian music.
However, our family is very much lovers of all kinds of music (within
reason ya know!) Especially my 5 year old son who only began to
use words (at ~ 31/2 years old) by way of singing songs!
Near the top of my list of favorites is BASEBALL. I must say that
I have always dreamed of my little boy playing baseball (I actually
wanted to have our own baseball team, but that is a story in itself).
He has had quite a struggle all of his life with all of the experts
telling me that there was nothing "wrong" with him and that he
simply had to catch up. This past November we finally had
our follow up visit with our Neurologist that confirmed Nickolas has
some brain damage and will have limits to his development (another long
story). While I plan for Nickolas to far exceed what testing
indicates, I still have my sad moments. From longlife goals to the
simple fun of playing baseball are things I have cried about.
I am constantly searching for resources for Nickolas and boy was I happy
to hear about the Miracle League so close to home! We live in
Lincoln and previously lived in Leeds. My husband and I both are
from the Trussville area. I cried (happy tears) when I read your
website info about the league. I read the list of needs and I am
brainstorming to think of ways to help. My husband is a
subcontractor and I plan to find ways to help. Is there a specific
or not so specific schedule for the construction of the field? I
see that plans are for the field to be ready in April 2003. Both
of my daughters and Nickolas take tumbling and dance in Leeds on Mondays
and I hope to go out to the Moody fields soon to see it for myself.
I am probably jumping ahead of myself, but what about the plans for
registration and actual needs for help when the season begins?
I considered registering Nickolas for baseball last year and did not
think it would be the best environment for him (my husband was more
worried about me in the environment). I grew up at the ballpark
(younger brother) and then kept the book and stats throughout high
school and chose marriage in lieu of a partial scholarship (as
scorekeeper) to Univ. of South AL. Favorite movies Bull Durham and
most recently, The Rookie. Love baseball, but children have always
stolen my heart. In 1991 I was working and studying to be a nurse
at UAB and then switched over to Special Education and was loving the
thought of working with special needs children. I became pregnant
and miscarried during this time and we were told that we would never be
able to have children. At this time, I really decided to dig in
and devote my time to my studies. I became pregnant with our
oldest daughter and due to the high risk pregnancy postponed school.
Katelynn was born in Feb. of 1993 and the love of our life (we were told
probably the only baby we would have), then in April 1996 came beautiful
Savannah. God really has a sense of humor you know, Nickolas
came in July of 1997. Finally, our big family and our little
baseball player. His story from birth on is one in itself, but I
mainly gave all this info to point out how God was preparing me for
Nickolas back in 1991 while I was in school! I can't believe God
would trust me with 2 beautiful daughters much less someone a special as
Nickolas!
Your website gives info about each of you so I thought I would fill you
in on our family - and that was the short version! You might grow
old with the long version!
I said all of that to say thanks for your involvement and leadership for
the wonderful program that has touched my heart and I hope you will have
a specific idea of how I can help out!
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Connie Richardson
A Word From
the Executive Director
Diane Alford Miracle League Conyers,
Georgia
October
2002
As the Executive Director, my utmost dream is to
see Miracle League players stretch their boundaries far beyond their
imaginations or their parents dream.
I recently watched Ashley, a 14-year old blind girl, play Miracle
League baseball in an amazing way. When she was up to bat, her coach
yelled “swing” as the ball was thrown to her. She then hit the ball
into center field and ran towards her assistant coach who was calling
her name from first base. Once she reached first base, the other coach
called to her from second base. The coaches repeated this scenario at
each base. As Ashley crossed home plate, she was smiling with such
incredible pride. She had accomplished what so many children take for
granted-freely running the bases of a baseball diamond.
As I wiped away my tears, I was reminded that the Miracle League
offers these special kids a unique opportunity to break through the
perceived boundaries of their disabilities. I hope that at the age of
24, this little girl is still experiencing life beyond the boundaries
that have been set for her.
I daily thank God for these children and the life lessons they
are teaching me. I also thank God for the commitment and hard work you
are all bringing to your communities. Through your efforts, hundreds of
Ashley’s will have this same opportunity.
Keep
up the good work!
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