Home Run

I never thought my son could play baseball, much less hit a home run. We had spent dozens of hours in therapy working to get him to stand.  He didn’t walk until he was three.  His eye/hand coordination was poor, but his desire to be part of something was great.

When we moved in next to Kathryn and Willy Camp, all they saw was a child who wanted to be included.  They welcomed Jacob to the t-ball team.  In fact, they coached him in flag football, basketball, and baseball.  They patiently planned plays that would allow Jacob to carry the ball—even if it meant reminding him which way the team was running.  They took him to practice when I had a newborn, they helped him feel a part of the team, and they even helped the opposing teams to feel a part of Jacob’s success.

So on that sunny day at the t-ball fields, when Jacob’s bat magically connected with the ball, it was no surprise that not only was I cheering, and Kathryn was cheering, but the parents in both sets of stands and all the players were cheered as Jacob came across home plate with Coach Willy Camp by his side.

I felt like we had touched the moon.

Nothing could have prepared this momma’s heart for such an accomplishment.

I’ve always wanted to pay forward that moment; to somehow do for someone else what Kathryn and Willy Camp did for Jacob and me.

When I learned about the MIND Institute’s Day of Giving this Saturday, April 17 I knew this was a cause that could help me pay it forward.  The UC Davis MIND Institute is a world-renowned collaborative research center committed to the awareness, understanding, prevention, and treatment of the challenges associated with neurodevelopment disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder, Fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome, Rett syndrome, Angelman syndrome and ADHD.

Your support will fuel transformational research, clinical care and educational programs that improve access and quality of care, increase understanding and awareness, develop effective therapies and support programs, and uncover vital information, and causes, and risk factors.

Your gift—no matter the amount – will have a significant impact. This Give Day, each gift moves us one step closer to our goal of 100 gifts.  Your contribution will help unlock our challenge gifts, totaling over $24,000 for our Give Day challenge sponsors.

Will you consider joining me this Saturday in supporting this important work? To make a gift, please go to ___________________.

Let’s hit it out of the park!