CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – The YMCA of Greater Charlotte has been around for more than 150 years. It has impacted lives in so many ways — ways you may not even know.
This month WBTV has partnered with the YMCA as part of the “Y Give” campaign, which is a fundraiser to help the support its youth development programs.
One of those programs is called the Miracle League.
The Miracle League is a baseball league where people with diverse disabilities can play and not be judged.
Every time these players hit the field, it’s a home run experience — especially for Tommy Love and Graham Hedrick.
They met at Miracle League, a place that where they can be themselves. Tommy and Graham both have autism and come to the Keith Family YMCA in Charlotte twice a week.
Tommy’s mom, Terri, said her son eats, sleeps, breathes, dreams baseball, and has been part of the Miracle League for three years now.
“It has helped him grow very much … [in] confidence and self-esteem,” Terri said. “He hit a home run this past Saturday over the fence.”
Meanwhile, Graham joined the team about a year ago.
“It’s my favorite sport,” Graham said of baseball. “I like having fun and I like hitting. I have fun defending and I like catching the ball playing third base.”
The YMCA’s Miracle League has given people with disabilities a chance to build confidence and friendships.
Lydia McGinnis is the Association Director of Adaptive Programming.
“Here at the Miracle League, everyone can be themselves,” McGinnis said. “Everyone can truly show exactly who they are and a sense of belonging.”
About 100 players make up the Miracle League, and each one gets to play in a safe environment and give it all they’ve got.
“We’ve even seen kids that have a walker for mobility aid, then they’ll go from home to first and they’ll drop their walker and crawl or, like, walk toward first base and it’s so cool to see that happen here, and I get misty-eyed all the time at game day,” McGinnis said.
It takes about $100,000 a year to run the Miracle League. The charge is $35 per player, and the goal is to keep costs low so all can participate.
“These families also have so many other costs that are associated with having a disability, so we want to make sure we are an equitable program so everyone can participate,” McGinnis said.
The YMCA hopes contributions from the community can continue so players can keep hitting home runs on and off the field.
“I’m so proud of him just the accomplishments just seeing him light up as a mom it brings so much joy to my heart,” Terri Love said. “It’s a miracle … it’s a Miracle League for sure.”
The Miracle League has been around for about 13 years, and needs more players to help others keep winning at life.
To learn more about the Miracle League, click here. Anyone wishing to donate toward the Y Give campaign can do so here.
Also Read: YMCA of Greater Charlotte supporting students through ‘Y Readers’ program
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