Sports Challenge

James needs more regular exercise. He has low muscle tone to begin with. His extreme weight loss last year has made his already skinny frame more frail. He is also growing like a weed.

Because James is happiest in a familiar environment that is quiet, and happiest yet when online, incorporating physical activities are tough.

At school, James will use a foam football to interact with other kids and toss the ball around. His adaptive PE coach has been super encouraging him to jump rope with others and his regular PE class had a great week of bikes. James' sister takes him on walks around our neighbourhood or to a local park. I try to take James with me on weekly grocery shopping runs and swim play sessions at the pool.

James's Dad gets him out to parks and took him to the always fantastic Wonder League baseball program. This year saw some wonderful changes to the program, including earlier start times, warm up practice, and great groups of Buddies for all the players. While James was reluctant to play at times, he loved the attention. He started switch hitting and running after grounders. He actually started to hit pitches near the end of the season, and the week cheer section showed up, he ate up his personal rooting section as he rounded third base.

I wish we could find a local, affordable sports activity for him that he would enjoy. It's always good to have options outside the Xbox.

Wordless Wednesday: Baseball for All

A big, heart-felt thank you to George Lawson, The Rotary Club of Healdsburg Sunrise, and the Wonder League, for bringing us all the joy of playing ball with others and having fun together, regardless of one's abilities.

For more images that tell a story, and to share some of yours,
visit Wordless Wednesday!

Wonder League Teams Up!

Yesterday was our last game of the 2013 season with the Healdsburg Wonder League. Even though we hot the hottest day of the year, we came out to play. Normally James just melts and we stay home. This game was different.

We started later in the day, about 3:30, and the game was in town at Healdsburg's Rec Park. Déjà vu -- we'd just been there last week at the end of the Future Farmers Country Fair's Twighlight Parade. Our guys got to hit the field after watching a thrilling game between the San Francisco Seals and the Healdsburg Prune Packers. What a lot of fun it was to see the big guys play right up close! There were some fast action going on out there.

We did root, root, root for the Home Team!

We were right by the dugout.

I love the home team, just for the name, BTW. When I first remember coming to Healdsburg in the summer, the air was full of the smell of plums drying into prunes. As soon as we came off Fitch Mountain, we could smell their sweet fruity aroma, going into and all over town. The dried fruit would get packed up and sent out all over the country by truck and train. The trees were gorgeous with blossoms in the Spring.

Well, back to baseball ... James actually hit a pitch! He's been steadily batting Southpaw, and all his work with his APE teacher are paying off - he throws in a nice straight line, pretty much on target. I noticed he also stayed on the field more and did less wandering, but that could have been because of the iPad app I promised to download for him later. He did a great job running the bases too.

Big sister did much better at bat once she switched to a lighter one. She's really starting to get the hang of it now! Not so keen on playing the outfield, but the did leg it around the bases, even stealing home. Way to go, Girl!

The icing on the cake: the Prune Packers were the Buddies for the game. They did an awesome job, coaxing the kids to try for a better batting stance and hand positioning. Their pitcher braved our unevenly hitting kiddos and patiently pitched to each one until a hit was made. After the game, some players even hung out with us for our final BBQ and awards ceremony.

As we left, one player called out "See you next year!" I sure hope so. Thanks again to George and everyone who made our kids smile as they got their chance at bat and on the field. Baseball, the Wonder League, and the Prune Packers make a winning team.

Special Exposure / Wordless Weds: Rooting for Our Team

It's May. Time for kids to throw baseballs, swing bats, and run the bases. Thanks to the Wonder League of Healdsburg, our special kids can feel like All Stars.

James tried a few pitches, then stuck with the T-Ball; he's a lefty batter.

Thanks to the Healdsburg HS Girls' Softball Team for being this week's Buddies!

"Great game, everyone!"

For more images from the heart and to share some of yours,
visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.






               and ... Wordless Wednesday

Special Exposure / Wordless Weds: Wonder Ball

I've been working on the website for the Wonder League, updating it with photos from the games. I just kind of fell into creating the website and taking photos. It's been a blast!

Going to the games and watching all the joy, excitement, and plain social fun these kids and their families share is priceless, and makes me want to share it some more:

One of my favourites

For more images from the heart and to share some of yours,
visit Special Exposure Wednesday at 5 Minutes for Special Needs.






               and ... Wordless Wednesday

The Wonder League: Magic Lens

We had another great day playing ball up in Healdsburg with the Wonder League. The whole family got into it. Both kids played and cheered. James' Nana came and rooted for all the players, especially her two rookies. My husband and I whooped, clapped, and took pictures. He even helped sell t-shirts.

I turned on the Magic lens at the end of the game, and got a little arty:

 We'll be doing it again next Saturday too!

A Boy and His Dad

James has started to really play with other kids. They don't have to be his age; he is a social guy who is really starting to interact with others. The sparkling, slightly naughty boy who knows how to use his cute charm is wanting to be part of the playing scene within a group.

How lucky for us that the Wonder League just started up this Spring, and that James' teacher sent an informational flier home in time for us to sign him up.

It's certainly been wonderful for James. My husband reports that he loves his uniform, can hardly wait for his turn at bat, and runs with total joy. The volunteers who work with the kids are not only helping James learn the game, they are mentors for playing with others, socializing, and role models for the teen years.

It's also a special time together for James and his Dad. They've gone to practices together and are creating a lot of special memories. Like the times James gets to announce the next at-bats, talking over the game together in the car, and his Dad watching him from the stands like any other proud Dad.

Then there's the time that James refused to come over for the team picture. His Dad shook his head as he told me that three teenagers could not catch him as he ran laughing across the huge field. Even when they ran him into the dugout, James evaded them. Kind of makes us feel better about all those times he's evaded us!

So if you clicked on the link above for the Wonder League, James is behind the photographer. Somewhere. Running amok and laughing like crazy, loving every second. His Dad is in the stands, torn between yelling at him to come over and grinning at the spirit his son has.

Here's a photo from when we had him in the car:

After I asked him to say cheese:

Thank you , thank you, thank you, Wonder League! Special times, special memories for all our special people. And Happy Fathers' Day to all the Special Dads out there!