My nephew, Gage, is 7 years old. He is smart, funny & rambunctious. He is full of energy, full of life & an absolute joy to me. The Summer of 2008, Gage started going blind. In February of 2009 he flew to Boston to see a specialist & we learned that he was 98% blind. He only has 2% of his sight & can sometime's see shadow's.
He loves all sports. Football is his favorite, but he was on the soccer team when his sight started to diminish. In the Spring of 2009, our community built a baseball field for handicapped children called The Miracle League. The field is made of the soft rubber that is under the indoor play places. We got Gage signed up & he was ecstatic! The kid's get to be a part of a team & experience playing baseball. Without this field & all of the volunteer's, these kid's would never have this kind of opportunity. His teammate's range from having Down's Syndrome to Spina bifida. Everyone gets to play no matter their age!
Each child has a designated helper that stays with them throughout the entire game. Gage has two designated helper's & they are the same girl's he had last year. The helper's are called, Angel's in the Outfield. They most definitely are.
Gage flirts with his helper's! He is such a ham!
The ball is pitched to him & he is told when to swing. He gets so excited!
He almost alway's hits the ball. When it's Gage's turn to bat, they use a special ball. It's a little bigger than a softball & it beeps really loudly. He hears the ball getting closer & closer & knows when to swing.
If he misses the ball after several pitches, he gets to use a tee. His helper shows him where he needs to stand & lets him feel where the ball is. The ball that he gets to use will not stay on the tee! So, we went back to a pitch & he hit it all the way to the fence!
His helper's each grab an arm & run with him so he knows where to run!
He has such a wonderful time. He is always so happy while we are there. Last year we didn't have the beeping ball & that thing has been a big help! He is able to find the ball in the outfield now as well!
They don't keep score & they keep all of the kid's busy while they are taking their turn in the outfield. There are so many ball's flying around you never know which way to look, ha! It's keeps them from getting antsy & bored.
Gage has had so many opportunities & continues to be blessed. He lives with my dad & step-mom. He attends a special school for the Deaf & Blind. When he flew to Boston, he got special treatment from the flight attendant's & the pilot. He got to sit in the cockpit! He has also hung out in Tony Stewart's trailer, with Tony!! He has many extra curricular activities. He gets to go water skiing & has even done some archery. In the next few weeks he will be traveling to many states with his track team. He loves to run! The boy never sits still & that can be a problem sometime's! He gets a lot of bumps & bruises, but he never gives up. Gage is such an inspiration to me. I love the way he smiles when he hears my voice & screams, "Aunt Shana!!" He has a sensational love for the Lord & invites everyone he meets to go to church with him. His attitude & personality is contagious. I pray that some day he will be healed & we can show him the picture's from all the thing's that he has done.
"Walk by faith, not by sight."
2 Corinthians 5:7
12 comments:
Thanks for sharing Gage with us. He's an inspiration as is your heart. xo, a fan
What an amazing young guy...you can see the joy on his face.
That program is such a blessing.
I too am praying for a healing for Gage.
~Julie
What an awesome opportunity for him. What an awesome community. Thank you so much for sharing this with us...He looks so proud. What a sweet and handsome boy Gage is.
This is such a great post. It's incredibly touching to know there are leagues and organizations out there allowing everyone to have the same opportunities. I hope he's enjoying it! What a cutie!
Shana Thank you for sharing that wondeful boy with us. He truly is a gift. The joy he has for life is an inspiration.
What an awesome little boy. He is truly an inspiration.
Awwwwwwww...what a sweet post. And what a beautiful little boy! I LOVE the scripture at the end.
Hugs,
Lisa
That is so sweet! Glad to hear he is doing so well Shana!
That is an amazing story and organization! It sounds like he is a brave little boy and he is a true inspiration.
I LOVE THIS! This has to be the coolest thing ever! I so wish they would have had something like this when Chelsea was younger....she would have LOVED it!
Where is he going to school? AIDB is just about 15 minutes from me.
{{HUGS}}
Robin :o)
This is an absolutely wonderful story about Gage. Thank you for sharing.
I have a special spot in my heart for the differently abled. I went to college to do recreation leadership for the disabled & have worked different jobs with them over the years.
Your nephew is a special blessing to many I can tell.
Have a great week,
Nannette
Aww, I still think this is just the coolest thing! You are such a great aunt to him... love you!
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