When sports truly are

Baseball isn’t just a fun sport for regular kids. It’s a fun sport for special-needs children, also.

I have a son, Charlie Morris, who is now 15 and has been playing baseball since he was 6. He’s a special-needs child. He’s considered to be mildly retarded, but he loves sports. Baseball is his favorite.

He’s had a variety of coaches through his years of playing—some good, some bad. We’re not originally from Western North Carolina, but the coaches from here are much better than from where we [lived before].

For the last three years, my son has played fall ball for the same two coaches, Dave Vicary and Steve Fox. They are a blessing. They both have worked with my son and treated him like all of the other guys. They haven’t shown any difference towards him and his teammates. His teammates are always cheering him on. This makes him feel like he is one of them.

If all coaches were like Dave and Steve, baseball would be a more enjoyable sport for other kids. As a parent of a special-needs child, I would like to thank Dave, Steve and all my son’s teammates. They’re no. 1, just like my special-needs son.

— Wendy Allen
Candler

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