NIne year old Brandon was diagnosed with autism and his parents, Kelvin Mark and Cheryl Lie were very concerned he would never be able to live a normal life. Brandon had a hypersensitivity to sunlight, dirt and loud voices, making typical childhood activities all but unthinkable.
Brandon entered an essay contest where he won $5000 for his basball team’s River Park baseball diamond. He wrote about how baseball helped him overcome his challenges.
“I have something called autism,” Brandon wrote. “I don’t really know what it is.
“When I first started playing, I couldn’t touch wet or muddy things or step in puddles or listen to loud noises or I would freak out,” he wrote. “I didn’t like being in the hot sun and I only liked wearing long sleeve shirts. I was kind of shy and I was afraid of the ball. “These things don’t bother me now,” he wrote.
“I learned how to hit, run and score. I learned how to catch a ball and tag the runner out. I like leading our team cheer. I like sliding and LOVE touching home plate.”
This was a regional contest sponsored by small engine maker Briggs and Stratton, which asked the children how baseball helped children build confidence on and off the field.
“Brandon’s $5,000 will go toward a new irrigation system and maintenance at Ciavarella Field, said Tom Griffin, president of River Park Youth Baseball. With 125 games on the field since opening day this spring, “it takes a beating,” he said.”
Source: Sacremento Bee