*No outs are counted

*No runs are counted

*Everyone gets a turn to hit

*Everyone plays the field

*Games Last at least an hour

*No Practices

What kind of game is this where no outs are counted? It is Miracle Ball of course! As stated by their President Aggie Laughery: “Miracle Ball of Dickson County is for kids and adults starting at the age of 4 and up with special needs, such as Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy and so on. Our goal is to increase their physical fitness by developing their self-esteem and confidence. Also by teaching them self-awareness while they play with others like them. We will always view our kids as athletes, not as kids with disabilities. We want to give them the freedom to enjoy the spirit of the game.” Miracle Ball is in it’s second season and consists of baseball, basketball, soccer and cheerleading. A League all their own, they have no connection with Special Olympics or Little League.

In Miracle Base Ball, everyone plays and swings until they get a hit and runs the bases no matter where the ball lands. The end result is that each child gets a home run every time! AND everyone wins! Sounds like a great game to me!

Buckner Park hosted gladly made accommodations for Miracle Ball to be played  on their fields.  Unfortunately, the rain only allowed one game this year for this fully uniformed and sponsored group. They split into two teams and play each other: the Orange Team is coached by Robert Laughery and sponsored by Gosseet Insulation, and the White Team is coached by Shane Hunter and sponsored by White Bluff Car Care. It’s all friendly and everyone cheers for everyone else.  Volunteers called “Angels” help these athletes run the bases ( pushing the wheelchairs when necessary) and assist and give direction in the outfield as well. Most of the players swing and hit the ball off of the T stand, but for those youngsters in wheel chairs there is a metal stand with a bat on a hinge-type device they are wheeled up to allowing the batter to pull back on a giant rubber band and release which causes the bat to swing and clobber the ball.

Glenn, father of Alyssa, who plays ball while in her wheelchair, says that she is his “special baby. She doesn’t know the world as we know it, she knows her own world and it makes her happy.” He considers Miracle Ball to be positive stimulation for Alyssa , and he sees great benefit in the stimulation and her being around other kids. It is a delight to see Alyssa’s excitement and hear her joy as she is whisked around the bases.  She enjoys the applause and now thinks that any applause, even at her sibling’s soccer games, is meant for her!  Stormie, Alyssa’s mom, says “Mircale Ball is a real blessing to us.” Glenn adds that parents get involved and are reminded that they are not alone. Faith, Benji’s mom, echoes that sentiment and includes that  “The benefits are getting to know other families with similair struggles and sharing ideas on how to overcome them or even getting opinions about other things that are available for the kids. Plus forming friendships.” Faith and her husband Jeff are happy their son gets to play and has coaches that know the children’s limits. Faith added. “ Seeing Benj have fun while playing brings the joy of knowing that for an hour he feels like a normal kid playing ball.”

This past Friday night was the end of the season party for these two teams and included fun, food, 2 innings of a wiffle ball game and trophies. Hearts and Hands,  a ministry under the leadership of Judy Overton and Mary Bernard, exists to assist and encourage people with disabilities and is a part of Dickson First Assembly Church where the party was held. Some of the Hearts and Hands volunteers assisted in running bases and playing the outfield as well as serving the food donated by Subway. At the end of the evening, to the delight of the children and parents, each child received a trophy. Of course there were team pictures made as well.

It is heartwarming to see parents and siblings cheering for these special athletes  as they play their hearts out and wear their joy where everyone can see it.  Aggie and Robert have created and environment where these children can do what other kids do and their noise and exuberance is widely accepted! Although they are learning new skills, no one is telling them not to be who they are….which is nothing but pure happiness.

www.miracleball.org

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Windy became acquainted with autism when her son Bailey was diagnosed at the age of 4. While she knew there was something going on with him because he had not made many milestones of a typically developing 4 year old, the diagnosis of autism brought more questions. “the only example of the disorder for me was Dustin Hoffman in ‘Rainman’”

Bailey has been fortunate to be blessed with a wonderful teacher at Charlotte Elementary School that has worked with him and encouraged him to open up and blossom. This last May for awards day he was awarded the Lucas McClain Award for Outstanding Effort and Improvement In Physical Education. Now, at the age of 10, Bailey loves singing and dancing. He is a performer through and through.

“Bailey is considered a mild/moderate high functioning autisic. He is verbal and does carry more conversation now than he did at a younger age. There are times when he has “bad days” when he doesn’t want to talk to anyone. He doesn’t understand the basic concept of money. He doesn’t understand “why” a lot. It doesn’t matter to me. When he tells me “I love you mom”, I know he understands that.” says Windy.

Bailey and other autistic children and children with autism spectrum disorders are why Windy signed up to do the 2nd Annual Walk NOW for Autism in October. In order to get donations for the walk she and several of her friends with SOUS are putting together the Rock for Autism concert.

The Rock for Autism concert will be September 5th at the Dickson County Housing Authority. On the line up are area bands Disarray, Mindsplitter, Downslave, The Hero Brings Revenge, Bradbury and a special appearance by Bailey Dotson. There will be a silent auction and food also. Doors open at 5pm and the concert starts at 7pm. Admission is $5. For more information visit www.myspace.com/sousforautism.