My cousin Michael plays in the Miracle League. I think it’s great to see him play and run around.  Maybe he will play in the big league someday (Major League Baseball)  But, I think he will just stick with this for now.  Michael has a buddy with him when he plays.  I wish I could be his buddy, but I’m too young!  I just think it’s great to see him play.

Michael has autism and sometimes he gets left out of games and sports.  I don’t think that’s right.  The Miracle League gives him a chance to play the game he loves.  He’s got a great swing!  When he connects with the ball he can hit it a mile.  But when he is excluded from games, that makes me feel sad.  I wish he could play on my Little League team.  I know Michael loves baseball and the Miracle League gives him the opportunity to have fun and play with his friends and just be a kid.  Jack B., age 9, cousin plays in the Miracle League

I am a specially designed physical education teacher for the Appleton Area School District and for the last 2 years I have had the pleasure of working with Michael R.  Michael’s family is always looking for ways involve him in a variety of community activities and events.  Over the summer of 2008 Michael’s family took the opportunity to have him participate in the Miracle League of Green Bay.  When Michael returned to school in the fall of 2008 I noticed some wonderful gains in his gross motor and social skills.  Michael seemed to have found a distinct interest in baseball and a new found excitement for social interaction and peer involvement.  Michael would consistently talk about baseball and want to share what he had learned with his classmates during specially designed physical education (SPE) sessions. He was more engaged and focused they he had been in the past.  Michael also showed a drastic increase in his object control and tracking skills. Michael went from needing hand over hand assistance to strike a ball off of a batting tee to being able to strike a ball that was pitched to him and even knowing how to bunt!  Michael also began to demonstrate more purposeful movements and actions such as throwing a ball to an area or a person.  With the increase in his gross motor and social skills, Michael increased his successes during SPE classes.  When participating with his peers Michael would show such joy and happiness.  Michael’s involvement in The Miracle League allowed him to connect with his peers at an age appropriate level and draw upon his new found interests.  Michael continues to make gains as the year progresses and I can only hope that given the opportunity to participate in the Miracle League of the Fox Valley, he will continue to prosper.

Margie K.   Specially Designed Physical Education Teacher  Appleton Area School District

When the Miracle League of Green Bay started in 2006 I just had to get involved…. my life has been enriched as a result.   It does not matter how your day went as once you see the smiles on the kid’s faces, everything is put into perspective and you forget what you were fretting about. Everyone should take the time to come watch the athletes participate and see ‘true miracles’.  Teresa A.:  Volunteer Coordinator, Board Member, & Parent of an Athlete

My brother Michael has autism. Michael usually does not get included. Sometimes he does and when he does get included, it makes Michael so happy.

My family could never really find an activity that we could do as a family.  But when we found the Miracle League that all changed.

I think it’s awesome that Michael can finally play an organized sport.  It’s awesome to see him swing.  Michael looks so happy when he plays baseball.  He inspired me so much that I joined baseball this year.  Since he knows the fundamentals of baseball, we can now play together.  Matthew R., age 11, brother plays in the Miracle League

I became involved with Miracle League of Green Bay in 2008.   I have enjoyed every moment I’ve spent participating.  Watching these athletes really makes you thankful for what we take for granted.   I see myself being part of this for many years to come.  Jim A.:  Volunteer

I am 14 years old and I have been involved with the Miracle League of Green Bay every year.   I like being a buddy for kids that can not play by themselves.   I like seeing all the kids being able to play a sport that normally would not be available to them.  

Hannah W.: Buddy and sister to an athlete