Baseball game unites special needs players and amputees
By Jacquelyn Quinones
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HOLLISTER, California (KSBW) — A baseball game in Hollister brought together players with special needs and amputees this morning for a day of inclusivity, fun, and socialization.
The Challengers Little League and the Prosthetic Solutions team joined forces to show that disabilities are no barrier to enjoying a friendly game of baseball.
The San Benito Challenger Division is a special needs baseball program for children and young adults with mental or physical disabilities.
Their goal is to allow participants to play baseball at their own ability.
“I call it my ‘yes I can’ game because last year we introduced amputees for the first time to Little League, and it was just amazing,” one organizer, Shellie Vegelia, said.
“My kids, without knowing what an amputee was, took it in stride, and they were accepting and they played like they were playing any other ordinary team,” Vegelia added.
Prosthetic Solutions Inc. was invited to participate, bringing amputees who are finding strength and mobility through exercise.
“Our biggest thing is doing things we thought we’d never do again, and having fun is the best way to do that,” one participant, Wade Skardoutos, said.
Prosthetic Solutions staff said events like these empower them and others.
“We feel like we’re limited when we have limb loss, and what we want to show them is you’re not,” Skardoutos said.
One participant from the Prosthetics team shared their hope to inspire others.
“Show them that we can do everything and show the young kids to never give up,” the participant said.
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