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I was the average student and athlete at school, I wasn’t known for anything amazing though. The only thing that I notice that stood out from me was that I always had a big heart for other people especially ones who live with a disability. I respect the children to adults that have disabilities and live life to the fullest, I don’t know how they do it. They really know how to live life to the fullest compared to those who have no disabilities. This is a story that tells you how I met the most amazing people and how I became so close to them. When I did travel softball, my coach wanted us to do a volunteer program and he came across a place called The Miracle League of Joliet. I had no idea what I was getting into but I was excited. When the day came, I fell in love. Miracle league of Joliet is a baseball program that allows disabled children and teens to play a baseball game with a non-disabled buddy, which was me. My first buddy was Johnny, he was older than me but his disability didn’t stop him from playing baseball. He was so open to me and nice, he made me smile the entire …show more content…
time. I never met someone so happy and caring to everyone even those he didn’t know. I never felt the way I did before being there, I truly felt happy and I knew I had to come here more. I automatically signed up for the next season on my own and I never felt so excited. I got my first buddy the spring season, he was five years old and his name was Justin.
“He does not talk but he does show a lot of emotions and be careful he runs a lot” was the first thing his mom said to me, so I was nervous because I felt like he would not like me. The game started, and Justin and I connected within seconds. I chased after him and looking at him smile made me feel so warm inside that I did not care that I was sweating like crazy. I did everything I could to make the kid smile and laugh, and I made it happen. After his game, his parents thanked me and they went off but I was so happy the entire day. Weeks of games went by and the more Justin and I became closer, along with other kids. Being there you look past their disabilities and look so deep into their personality, which was amazing. Miracle League made me find my true passion and it surely wasn’t softball
anymore. When the next season came, I had Justin and I was so excited to see him again. When his game time came, he came running up to me and hugged me. “He showed so much excitement coming here, especially when I mentioned your name Ariana. My wife and I are truly happy and thankful that you make our son feel this happy.” His dad said to me, it was really hard to hold down my happy tears after hearing that. Then everything changed, second week came and no Justin, third week came and still no Justin. I knew something was going on. The lady who runs the miracle league told me that Justin had surgery and doesn’t know if he will be back. I just sat down and had the urge to cry. Everyone knew I was upset and tried to fix it but it was so hard to take the news in. I never knew I would become so close to him. I went to the league no matter what, I loved all the kids. Despite that I did not have Justin, he was always on my mind. Then I met Christopher, he had Down syndrome. I became his buddy and he made me feel so much better about the situation with Justin. It seemed to me that Christopher was more trying to make me feel happy than I was supposed to make him feel happy. To this day, I am very close with Chris and Justin. This is how I met most amazing people that changed my life.
In fourth grade I was 9 years old. At that age I didn't even think of playing sports. I was just like a normal 9 year old. So one day my auntie told me that one of her friends daughters is playing softball for Port City Girls Softball League. Then asked me if I would be interested to play. I answer saying sure I will try it out, so my auntie went and signed me up. So the way that league works is they have a draft to pick their players for their team. Then, the first practice started, I knew nothing about softball so I was brand new at all of it. When it came to one of the next practices one of my older sisters came to watch me and noticed my coach. It was one of her friends! Then my sister told me that one of the players
Several summers ago, I made my first All-Star baseball team for a local little league. When I heard that I was picked, I was overwhelmed with happiness. A lot of my friends and teammates in years past had made the team, but never me. I was finally selected by the head coach of the All-Star team, and considered it quite an honor.
I was always the person to shy away from a disabled person because I didn’t know how to handle it. I always thought if I avoided them I wouldn’t have to face the truth, which is I was very uncomfortable with disabled people. However, since our discussions in class, reading the book, and going to the event my views on the disabled have changed drastically since then. I learned that people with disabilities can do the same things, if not more, that a person without disabilities can do. I realized that I need to treat people with disabilities just like any other person, like an equal. People shouldn’t be ostracized for something that they cannot control. Everyone should treat disabled individuals with respect, dignity, and concern. This is why from now on I will not shy away from a disabled person I will welcome them with open arms because they are no different than
It all began one day when I was six years old. My dad and I were playing catch at my grandparents house in the yard. I decided that I wanted to pitch so I told my dad to crouch down like a catcher. As I began to pitch I would try to imitate my favorite pitcher at the time, Cardinal starter, Chris Carpenter. My grandpa would sit in a chair by the window and watch me throw. After throwing a few pitches my grandpa decided that he wanted to come outside. With his walker, he made his slow walk outside to get a closer look at me. “I think we’ve got something here” he said to my dad as I continued to pitch. From that moment on, I always wanted to pitch in front of him just to listen to what he would have to say about me.
All throughout high school I played on the softball team. Proceeding the season before where we went undefeated with a district championship, my senior year we were supposed to be unstoppable. We received a few new players to add on to our army and the entire school was counting on our run to state. I was so excited to have an amazing end to my high school softball career, but unfortunately my dream was cut short when we lost in the first round of districts. I did not know that loss would change me the way it did.
When I was growing up, sports were always a tremendous part of my life. I participated in soccer, lacrosse, and football as a child and I never knew how lucky I was to have the opportunity to be apart of these activities. I rarely took into account the struggles children with disabilities encountered on an everyday basis until I volunteered for the Miracle League of Plymouth. The Miracle League gives all disabled children, regardless of their abilities, the chance to play baseball once a week. My buddy I was partnered with changed my perspective on life. Her name was Porscha, and was bound to a wheelchair, but always had a smile on her face. Porscha couldn't hit the ball on the tee alone, and needed my help doing so. Every time she knocked
A travel of over 3000 miles for some, a 210 mile drive for me, just to arrive at the biggest gathering of over 1,500 twelve year olds; all just to play baseball. The only place that would be suitable for such an event is Cooperstown Dream Parks, every baseball players heaven. Cars have come to Cooperstown from everywhere for this week long tournament. I met children my age from all over the United states. I became friends with kids from Ohio, Illinois, California, I even met a player from Puerto Rico who barely spoke any english. The windows of everyone 's car decorated with the names and numbers of teams and players. Excited baseball teams spill from their Barracks and hustle toward the already crowded seating area. Festive music played over
The spring before my freshman year in high school, I had broken my thumb, ironically playing softball; it was the prime time for my undefeated ASA team, Crush, to literally crush our opponents, but I didn’t even get to play one game. Later on, during summer, my cast finally came off and I was excited to get back into the scheme of softball. My friends and I were like the characters
I encountered a “bump in the road” at a young age. I began playing softball at age six when Kylie, my elementary school friend, came to show and tell with her first place T-ball trophy. At the time, I had only played soccer, but the thought of swinging a bat as hard as I could and having people in the stands cheer for me, inspired me to ask my mother to register me for the local recreational league. Before I knew it, I was lacing up last year’s soccer cleats and stepping up to bat in my first coach-pitch softball game. My father, being the coach, stood on the mound and lobbed in the fattest meatball every hitter dreams of. With the ding of my second-hand garage sale bat, the ball sailed over the shortstop. Some may have called it beginner's luck, but I called it a sign.
For my community agency hours I chose to volunteer with the Special Olympics. I chose this agency because my high school always hosted Special Olympics and I enjoyed volunteering every year as a buddy. Going into their experience I did not know what to expect since it was on the weekend and not at my high school as I was used to. The event took place on April 30th at Westminster Christian Academy. It was a long day, but definitely worth it. I was paired with a 45 year old male named Kevin who I suspect had Down Syndrome. This experience was different from all my other volunteering with Special Olympics in the matter that my buddy was not a child, but a grown adult. I found that having an adult had both its challenges and advantages. I found
I have been a part of the Indiana Shock for the past five years and I am continuing to be a part of it for my sixth year now. My coaches have raised me like their own children, they have shown me what it is like to be competitive and a leader while playing softball, yet still giving all of our glory in our life to our Lord. My teammates have shown me what it means to be a true sister. They have never
Big Brothers Big Sisters is a charitable organization that I have been involved with for four years. “[They] believe that every child should have the opportunity to reach his or her full potential” (Big Brothers Big Sisters of Canada, 2011). This mission statement shows their true dedication to allowing children to not be held back by their lack of socialization at a younger age and to be able to find who they are and make a difference in the world. I decided to pick this experience in particular because of the huge impact that it had on my life. Although we met only once a week it was an experience I will forever remember. I had one mentee in particular that showed such great advances in the year that we spent together. This little was in grade 5 at the time and was very shy; having being raised by one parent he had a lack of parental figures in his life. From such a young age he had a hard time trusting people because those around him always seemed just to leave. By me being their week after week he began to realize that I was not going anywhere fast. Although at first it took a long time to get through to him he eventu...
When I turned six years old I was old enough to play on a Little League team, and my father volunteered to be the coach. He worked long hours but always found enough time to dedicate to the team. At first our team was not very good, but that would soon change. My father practiced us hard every week and by the end of the season we made the playoffs. Even though we did not win the Championship that year, our team had reason to be proud. We won a few games, and we had a lot of fun, thanks to my dad. I played baseball for a total of ten years, and he was my coach for at least half of them.
To start off my day, every morning I work with special education kids for an hour. Many days I work with Jason, who is paralyzed from the waist down and has learning disabilities as well as troubled speech. Jason and I look at the newspaper, work on worksheets, make projects, and sometimes go on walks. Throughout the months I’ve worked with him I have learned a lot about patience. Being a beneficial peer helper requires me to explain things in multiple ways until he understands, this can sometimes take a good while. Everyday Jason improves and it’s truly heartwarming to watch his growth and achievements. Jason makes me very thankful for my health and ability to walk, as it is something many of us take for granted. Overall, I have learned a lot about interacting with those of special needs and I greatly appreciate those who teach and volunteer with Special Olympics.
I spent most of my time in a first grade classroom. In this classroom I observed the children as well as the teacher and paraprofessional. This classroom had children with special needs and that is why there was a paraprofessional in the classroom for half the day. What I observed in this classroom was how children with special need should be handle and taught. The teachers in this room loves her job and each student in her class. While in the classroom the teacher allowed me to help with children with their work, read to them and help them with anything else that they needed. During this field experience I got to give back to not only a school, but to a community that is very near and dear to my heart. I hope that I touched each student in a special way, because the students that I got the opportunity to help learn touched my