The Kentucky Herald-Leader posted a fantastic story about an 8-year-old boy Adam Bender, who plays catcher for his little league baseball team – on one leg. Young Adam lost his leg to cancer when he was 1, but that hasn’t stopped him from playing the game he loves.
Adam shyly deflects question about himself. He admits that he “loves baseball” and “loves catching,” but he doesn’t think he’s doing anything out of the ordinary.
Astros coach Dan Wyse said he went out of his way to get Adam on his team “because he’s a good kid, a good catcher, and what he brings attitude-wise, he’s an inspiration to everybody.”
Michelle Bender appreciates the effect her son has on people young and old.
“Adam has helped other kids see that a person with a disability can be fun to hang out with, and play with, and they can still be a part of a community or part of a team. It’s developed the kids’ compassion.
“And if he can inspire even one family to allow their kid to try something they normally might not try, that’s great.”
Adam tried using a prosthesis but didn’t like it because he felt it slowed him down. He is adamant about not using a wheelchair.
“He wants to play ball like everybody else,” Michelle said. “He’s always had that ‘nobody’s going to stop me’ attitude.”
Do yourself a favor and read the entire article and watch the video clip of Adam playing. With all the garbage going on in sports these days, this young man is a total inspiration and a reminder not to hold anything back in life.
