I am a complete pussy and I will quit whining...

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - I am a complete pussy and I will quit whining...

JCKnife

Old-School Gamer

Joined Jan 2001
Posts 5065
EE Offline

KY, USA

Posted: 6/4/2008 7:06:06 AM EST

...because this kid puts it all in perspective.

www.kentucky.com/211/story/420950.html?loc=interstitialskip

KID CAN DO IT ALL ON ONE LEG
Baseball, football, soccer -- nothing slows him down
By Mike Fields
MFIELDS@HERALD-LEADER.COM

Adam Bender slips a chest protector over his Astros jersey, buckles a shinguard to his right leg, positions a mask atop his head, grabs his catcher's mitt and hops out of the dugout.

Adam has his game face on. Or at least what passes as a game face for an 8-year-old. His eyes are serious. His freckled nose is crinkled with determination.

It is a cool, breezy Saturday morning at Veterans Park, which is already buzzing with activity. Baseball games are being played on three diamonds within a pop-up of each other. Parents are clustered in and around the stands, chatting and cheering. Players of all ages, wearing uniforms or team T-shirts, swarm the place.

Hardly anybody gives a second glance to the catcher in the Southeastern rookie league deftly playing on one leg.

Adam Bender is just another kid playing ball, which is exactly how his parents, Michelle and Chris, want it.

"I was a little hesitant when we first brought him up here for baseball," Michelle said. "I thought his spirit might be crushed if he got out every time. Then I thought, who am I to micromanage his feelings? He's going to have to learn how to deal with this stuff.

"The more I shelter him, the more he'll think, 'I'm fragile.' I don't think I'll ever tell him he can't do something."

Adam is amazing to watch. He takes his position behind the plate, resting on his right knee.

When a runner rounds third looking to score, Adam jumps up and holds his ground.

He suffered a mild concussion on one collision and missed a practice or two. But he recovered and was ready for action in the next game. At one point this season he led the rookie league in put-outs at home.

At bat, his athletic skill and balance allow him to take a full swing, and he usually makes contact. He hops to first base as quickly as he can. If he's safe, he uses crutches to run the bases. When he gets thrown out, he hops dejectedly back to the dugout.

He's a competitor, and not just in baseball.

Adam, who lost his left leg to cancer when he was 1, has played soccer for a couple of years. He uses crutches, and is a whirlwind on the field in Centenary United Methodist's "I Am Third" league.

He played YMCA flag football last fall for Bruce Rector, who has coached against Adam's baseball team.

At first, Rector wasn't sure if Adam could play football. "Then I slept on it. Having seen him play baseball, I knew he'd find a way to make it work," Rector said. "Sure enough, we put him at quarterback (using no crutches) and used a shotgun snap. He threw a lot of touchdown passes."

Adam lobbied to line up at receiver at least once so he could have a chance to score. On a conversion play, Adam hopped 5 yards down the field and made a diving catch in the end zone despite being double-covered.

"That's what I mean when I say if you turn him loose, he'll find a way," Rector said.

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."

Chris Bender thinks his son's "attitude and energy" channel naturally into sports. "He pops out of bed at 60 miles an hour and doesn't quit until he collapses at the end of the day. He's always wanted to do everything."

Doing everything that his older brother Steven and younger sister Morgan do is what pleases Adam's dad the most.

"The best thing about it is the normalcy," Chris said. "There will come a day when Adam will no longer be able to keep up. But he's had some measure of childhood where he's just like everybody else.

"He doesn't have to sit and watch his brother and sister play. He's out there playing with them."

And teaching a life lesson to everybody who's watching.

Rector does motivational speaking and leadership training, and he regularly relates Adam's inspirational story to adults.

"The lesson he teaches is that you need to let talented people with great heart get out there and do their thing," Rector said. "There's no such thing as an insurmountable obstacle for Adam. He's a winner."See video of Adam hitting and playing catcher in a baseball game.

Looking for Winchester Model 42 Ser. No. 102662
I sold it 20 years ago ouside Hara Arena, Dayton, OH

JonasWright Joined May 2006 Posts 3357 EE Offline FL, USA	Posted: 6/4/2008 7:09:53 AM EST [Last Edit: 6/4/2008 7:10:09 AM EST by JonasWright] Why isn't he on a prosthetic? ETA - It's an awesome story. I'm just curious.

FSUChris Member Joined Aug 2006 Posts 1744 EE Offline NV, USA	Posted: 6/4/2008 7:10:21 AM EST Badass.
	Forcible Anal Rape in the restroom is the only way to solve this....good luck, and be a team player by at least spitting on his taint first....It's not gay if it's done in anger. <img src=/images/smilies/smiley_abused.gif border=0 align=middle>

hsracer201 Joined Jan 2007 Posts 142 EE Offline VA, USA	Posted: 6/4/2008 7:11:21 AM EST damn! how cool is that.

mac130 Jihad? Jihad This! Joined May 2004 Posts 3924 EE Offline UKR	Posted: 6/4/2008 7:13:26 AM EST
	__________________________________________________________________________________ “We make war that we may live in peace” --Aristotle-- “Freedom isn’t free” --Anonymous--

JCKnife

Old-School Gamer

Joined Jan 2001
Posts 5066
EE Offline

KY, USA

Posted: 6/4/2008 7:15:12 AM EST

Originally Posted By JonasWright:
Why isn't he on a prosthetic?

ETA - It's an awesome story. I'm just curious.

The answer is in the story:

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.

Looking for Winchester Model 42 Ser. No. 102662
I sold it 20 years ago ouside Hara Arena, Dayton, OH

FrankSymptoms Veteran of the Third Battle of Tannhauser Gate. Joined Dec 2005 Posts 9628 EE Offline NM, USA	Posted: 6/4/2008 7:22:18 AM EST Dayum! That kid is all heart! He's only got one leg and he could beat most of US in an ass-kicking contest!
	In any survival situation, you should try to keep your friends alive as long as possible. They stay fresh longer that way. Proud member of Ranstad's Militia!

foxherb53 UP RIVER Joined Apr 2007 Posts 8273 EE Offline WA, USA	Posted: 6/4/2008 7:54:32 AM EST Tough little MAN ......
	I'm not always right , but I'm not really wrong either!!! How do you like me now??? "May God have mercy on my enemy , because I won't" G.S.Patton

DD977GM2 Member Joined Mar 2007 Posts 5583 EE Offline CO, USA	Posted: 6/4/2008 8:00:36 AM EST Keep on proving them wrong Adam
	"The three S program is Shoot, Shovel, Shut up. In case someone doesn't know." - HunterGren www.RMGO.org

macman37 The One Man Wrecking Machine Joined Mar 2003 Posts 33331 EE Offline MI, USA	Posted: 6/4/2008 8:03:44 AM EST Reminds me of the story in Paul Howe's book, about the soldier he worked with that lost a leg, but it didn't keep him from doing anything. Keep it up Adam Bender!
	Join the NRA It's for the children. Let's Go Red Wings!

nobius Member Joined Sep 2006 Posts 59 EE Offline SC, USA	Posted: 6/4/2008 8:08:09 AM EST Rock the fuck on.

uafgrad Original Alaskan كافر Joined Jul 2002 Posts 11185 EE Offline AK, USA	Posted: 6/4/2008 8:22:49 AM EST Very cool And good for the parents for not limiting his activities in an effort to protect him from life
	كافر Mors ultima linea rerum est - Death is everything's final limit Vir sapit qui pauca loquitur - It is a wise man who speaks little

CanadianDave Joined Mar 2008 Posts 2048 EE Offline AB, CAN	Posted: 6/4/2008 8:27:11 AM EST

PAEBR332 Trilateral Psychopolitician Joined Apr 2003 Posts 11989 EE Offline PA, USA	Posted: 6/4/2008 8:27:25 AM EST I wonder if any of the pro-eugenics folks from the thread about that topic will look at this and start to think... Yes, I know. This child was not born with only one leg. However, I believe it ought to make a few folks stop and ponder.
	"It is no crime to be ignorant of economics... But it is totally irresponsible to have a loud and vociferous opinion on economic subjects while remaining in this state of ignorance." Murray Rothbard

CWO Member Joined Nov 2001 Posts 9722 EE Offline MD, USA	Posted: 6/4/2008 8:29:37 AM EST That kid kicks ass and I am proud for him and salute his family for raising a young man that doesn't fall back on excuses or self-pity. I predict he will succeed in life.
	<Posted by cobra-ak>: ROFLMAO, I hadda girlfriend with a sideways eyeball, when she would play the trombone that eye would stare at me, it would freak me out, but she played a mean trombone."

SNorman Team Member Joined Sep 2001 Posts 9842 EE Offline WA, USA	Posted: 6/4/2008 8:30:08 AM EST Wow. That kid's got more determination than many, maybe most of the people who post here.

Only_Hits_Count

Joined Nov 2001
Posts 6335
EE Offline

TX, USA

Posted: 6/4/2008 8:33:21 AM EST

Originally Posted By PAEBR332:
I wonder if any of the pro-eugenics folks from the thread about that topic will look at this and start to think...

Yes, I know. This child was not born with only one leg. However, I believe it ought to make a few folks stop and ponder.

as long as you can contribute something, you're welcome to stay.

he's not a vegetable ffs....a lot of oilfield workers around here are missing fingers, hands and arms.

Seems like a good kid.

Daytona955i

Recoil Junkie

Joined Jun 2004
Posts 9842
EE Offline

NY, USA

Posted: 6/4/2008 8:33:40 AM EST

Originally Posted By uafgrad:
Very cool

And good for the parents for not limiting his activities in an effort to protect him from life

+1 Very smart parents.

Ever given a blowjob? It's not a day in the park I'll tell you that. - daisywench

On Pat Buchanan
Originally Posted By Dave_A:
No... He pisses off alot of people because his politics get borderline fascist on social/cultural issues....

CanadianDave

Joined Mar 2008
Posts 2052
EE Offline

AB, CAN

Posted: 6/4/2008 8:34:01 AM EST

Originally Posted By PAEBR332:
I wonder if any of the pro-eugenics folks from the thread about that topic will look at this and start to think...

Yes, I know. This child was not born with only one leg. However, I believe it ought to make a few folks stop and ponder.

They should've had an abortion...

Daytona955i Recoil Junkie Joined Jun 2004 Posts 9843 EE Offline NY, USA	Posted: 6/4/2008 8:52:25 AM EST www.break.com/index/one-legged-inspirational-little-leaguer.html
	Ever given a blowjob? It's not a day in the park I'll tell you that. - daisywench On Pat Buchanan Originally Posted By Dave_A: No... He pisses off alot of people because his politics get borderline fascist on social/cultural issues....

FieroLoki

كافر

Joined Sep 2002
Posts 12238
EE Offline

TX, USA

Posted: 6/4/2008 8:54:15 AM EST

Originally Posted By Daytona955i:
www.break.com/index/one-legged-inspirational-little-leaguer.html

wow

<font size=3>Visit my forum--> www.fieroloki.com/forums</font id=s3>

I put two and two together and decided you are pissing me off.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - I am a complete pussy and I will quit whining...

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