5/30/2015
One Week and Counting …
It’s hard to believe that it’s only a week before I report to USA Training Camp in Oklahoma City! Watching all of the great athletes compete at the WCWS this week and thinking that I’ll be there, on the same field in less than 7 days .. it’s crazy! But, while I’m waiting .. my high school team is still playing in our CIF playoffs in our quarterfinal game this Tuesday at our school (Los Osos High School, Rancho Cucamonga, CA). I just graduated high school. One of my older brothers (a pitcher for the University of Indiana) is in the regionals in Nashville, TN and my oldest brother has just moved to his own place in San Francisco.
Keeping What’s Important in Perspective:
With all of this excitement, it’s important to sit back and remember what is most important and appreciate what I sometimes take for granted.
Shelby: We have a ritual on our high school team that centers around our teammate Shelby Quall. Shelby has down syndrome and after every game she will get the last at-bat and the opposing team (win or lose) will always help us in giving Shelby the chance to hit a home run (she’s batting 1000!). As she rounds the bases and slides into home, you can’t help but smile and cheer and notice the amazing joy on her face as we hoist her up in the air! It really keeps things in perspective.
My Brother Josh: I have grown up very sensitive to people with special needs because my oldest brother has a condition called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC). I have watched him do some amazing things, and he still never ceases to amaze me. AMC has limited the muscles in his arms and legs and caused some ‘locking’ in his joints, but that has never limited him - when he couldn’t use his hands to do something, he used his toes .. when he couldn’t use his toes, he just found a way. Josh helps me keep things in perspective every day knowing that when I think I’m having a hard day, my challenging days would be a dream day for him, it really helps me appreciate the little things. My brothers are my best friends and biggest supporters. So as I get all my gear packed, and the excitement of this new experience grows - I am really looking forward to play with some of the best athletes in our country and compete with some of the best athletes in the world!
Playing for this team is a great honor and I will be giving all that I have to help our team compete at the highest level for our country, for Josh, for Shelby and those who would probably do anything for the opportunity to do the same - GO USA!!
See you at the games!
To find out more about AMC and Down Syndrome by clicking on the links below
AMC - www.amcsupport.org
Down Syndrome - www.ndss.org