I just wanted to share this with you guys.My husband coaches a "challenger flag Football team" and Kathleen is on the team.It's for children with dissabilities.This is an article in our local paper.Ther was also a huge picture of her brother carrying her off the field to me.He helps her on the field,I guess you could say he's her "left hand man" (she's a left hemi).
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=402385&category=ETTKIN&BCCode=&newsdate=9/25/2005    the articl is by Brian Ettkin
Mary Grace

What a great article, Mary Grace.  Thanks for sharing... it brought tears to my eyes.  The kids on Kathleen's team sound like an inspiring crew :)

Jenny

Mary Grace,

What a great article.  I loved it.

Although I have read many of your posts, this article gave me an insight into Kathleen's bout with MM.  So young to go through all this. It breaks my heart when I hear the MM children stories.

I'm always inspired by children with disabilities and actually amazed at their ability to overcome a lot even when faced with a challenge and especially in competitive sports.

My hat goes off to your husband for coaching Kathleen's team and providing them the opportunity to be together and play sports together and to Patrick for being an awesome brother.

Thanks for sharing such a heart warming and inspirational story.

Hugs,

Lore  

   

Mary Grace,

Being a former Capital District resident, it is nice to see that the Times Union is starting to cover "other interests" again and not just the main stream...great article.

Congrats to your entire family for supporting such a wonderful team.  All that I can say is  [smiley=thumbsup.gif].

Greg

Wonderful, hear-warming story, Mary Grace!  Thanks for sharing!

-Shari

Mary,

What an inspiring article.  Talk about  [smiley=heart.gif]warming! Blessings to your husband for donating his time to coaching this wonderful team.  Kathleen, you go get 'um girl with your Dan Marino jersey.  ;) Okay, I think I need to send you a McNabb jersey, though,  hee hee. (Tom, I think I may need to borrow your armor for a moment ;;D)

Thanks for sharing Mary!

Take care,
Shan

What a wonderful story. Wish i could see one of those football games i bet it is amazing! I wish Kathleen the best of luck in her football season!!!

Christy

   Thank you all so much for your kind words!! We've had a lot of fun with this team.The article hopefully will inspire others to help out with teams like this.We could all learn so much from their outlook on "sports" for them it's just "pure fun."They'll offer a high five for anyone who does good, even someone from the other team.
Shan I have to tell you she wears any jersey she can get her hands on LOL.In true form for Kathleen, their abilities and accomplishments mean absolutley nothing to her(couldn't we all learn a little from that  attitude LOL) she just LOVES football  and LOVES wearing the jerseys.She also has a Pennington jersey(she liked the color) and some of her brothers that he wore to play.If I have a hard time gettting her dressed for school just pull out a football jersey and she gets dressed without a hitch.
 Greg, Brian Ettkin is fairly new to the TU he did a wonderful job writting this article!My husband sent him an e-mail to thsnk him.
    You'll be able to see the team durring half time of the super bowl this year.ESPN will be spending 4 days here in town filming and interviewing for a piece they will play at helf time of the super bowl!!! We're very excited!
Mary Grace

Hi Mary,

Halftime at Superbowl? That is totally awesome!  ;;D  I can't wait to see them! That is too cute to hear that she loves to wear her football jerseys.  ;)  I think I need to look for a Hawaiian print one and send it to you... Please give Kathleen a high-five from me!  Way to go Kathleen!

Take care,
Shan