Nonprofit Spotlight:Easterseals MORC Miracle League

More than a game, it’s a supportive community.

BY NICK LIONAS, EASTERSEALS MORC ADAPTIVE RECREATIONAL ADMINISTRATOR

“Now stepping up to the plate, Nathan Luttermoser,” the voice from the loudspeaker echoes around the field. “He homered in his last at-bat and he’s looking to do it again!”

Talk about feeling special. This isn’t just your average recreational baseball. This is the Miracle League experience. It’s the announcer saying your name; it’s the personalized walk-up music; it’s sound effects whenever a run is scored; it’s the fans from around the area cheering you on. Miracle League baseball is a community built to support one another far beyond sports.

Miracle League programs serve individuals aged four and up with various physical and intellectual disabilities (e.g., autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, hearing or visual impairments, etc.), who can successfully participate with their families in adaptive socialrecreation programs.

Before the Miracle League came to Michigan, finding a place for a child with special needs to play baseball that was fun, safe, stigma-free, and fully inclusive was nearly impossible. That changed in the summer of 2004. Steve Peck, driven by a love for baseball and even more by a love for people, raised funds, organized support, and together with the surrounding community, built and opened Michigan’s first Miracle League field at the Civic Center in Southfield, Michigan.

The field was designed not with dirt and grass, but with a special rubber material that allowed wheelchairs and walkers to easily glide across its surface. It made it possible for participants to pull an oxygen tank alongside them on the way to each base. Children who were blind or had mobility issues could traverse the bases with confidence that there would be nothing to stand in their way to making it home.

It didn’t stop there. Soon, an announcer’s booth, enclosed dugouts, a state-of-the-art sound system, a score board, and a concession stand with ballpark food were added. The atmosphere was set and once it was built, they certainly came. Fans from all around began coming to the field wondering what was going on and staying to watch a funfilled game.

Since that inaugural season 21 years ago, Miracle Leagues have popped up in various locations around the State. Seeking expansion, growth, and the ability to reach even more people, Miracle League of Michigan teamed up with Easterseals Michigan in 2014. Now, with an additional field at Friendship Park in Orion Township, Easterseals MORC Miracle League serves more than 550 participants and continues to grow each year!

Easterseals MORC Miracle League combines a strong community with the necessity of play. Both elements are integral to the development of human beings. Studies have shown that being on a team in an organized sport has positive psychological benefits. It increases self-confidence, purpose, and worth. It also increases future employability by working on team-oriented exercises and showing kids what it means to be coached. The benefits of these programs promote a healthy overall lifestyle that all people deserve.

New programs are created based on listening to the needs of the families and communities that Miracle League serves. While baseball has been the flagship program, over the years families have said that they are still looking for other inclusive recreational activities yearround. A bowling program was added first. More recently, an inclusive hockey program was launched at Lakeland Arena in Waterford and a “Fun and Fitness” program is being piloted at Redline Athletics in Farmington Hills. In addition, pizza and dance parties were rolled out last fall as a way for family and friends to come together in a relaxed and supportive environment. The parties were met with so much excitement that they’re now scheduled once a month.

The miracles of Miracle League do not stop there. There are many unique “Miracle” opportunities for volunteers 12 years old and up. These experiences provide a valuable opportunity for each person to grow in compassion and understanding of individuals with disabilities. Volunteer opportunities include serving as a “buddy” on the baseball field, working concessions, coaching, fitness activities assistance and more. Miracle volunteers can be individuals, groups, or organizations. Over 800 volunteers participate annually, and more are always needed.

When describing his experience, one of the regular volunteers, Kevin, remembers being asked often, “Do you have a family member in the league?” And he responds, “When I started, I didn’t but I sure do now.” That sentiment is not uncommon for most of the regular volunteers. Miracle League is like a family, and that includes the volunteers. The kids enjoy seeing the volunteers as much as the volunteers enjoy seeing the kids. So many have said they only planned to come once, but it made such an impact, they kept showing up week after week. Whether volunteering once or many times, there’s no doubt that this special place makes an imprint on people’s hearts.

Easterseals MORC Miracle League is made possible by private donations. It does not receive government funding, and is only able to operate because of the generosity of people who care about these beautiful kids having the opportunity to play an organized sport like any other kid.

All Miracle League programs provide inclusive social-recreational opportunities that bring a light to participants’ eyes, and smiles (along with tears of joy at times) to their cheering families and friends.

When Nathan walks up to the plate, it is almost always a home run and so is the Miracle League for him and his family. When Nathan’s parents found out that he had Dravet syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy caused by a genetic mutation, they were scared about what his future might look like. Finding the Miracle League felt like a warm hug. Crystal, his mother, said, “His diagnosis coupled with autism and ADHD has been stressful, but with Miracle League, we feel safe and we’re comfortable with Nathan just being Nathan. We’ve looked at other programs and there’s just nothing like this one.”

Since expanding to other sports, the feedback that Miracle League receives has been similar, with parents saying, “I never thought I’d see my child on skates.” And, “Being active year-round has given our daughter something to look forward to every week.”

Easter Seals MORC Miracle League provides life-changing adaptive recreational and social programs across Oakland County and surrounding areas. Their vision is to see a day when all individuals with disabilities have the positive developmental opportunity to participate in organized social and recreational activities. They are leading the way to 100% equity, inclusion, and access to organized adaptive recreational and social activities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Summer baseball registration opened in March and everyone at Easterseals MORC Miracle is excited for it to begin in June. To learn more about participating in the league, or how to become a volunteer or sponsor, visit us at www.michiganmiracle.org, You can also visit https://www.facebook.com/

michiganmiracle/ and https://www. facebook.com/NorthOaklandMiracle/ Facebook pages to learn about Miracle League happenings.

As Judy, one of the Easterseals MORC Miracle Moms, said, “We are so grateful for the opportunity for our son to be a part of this! Thank you doesn’t say enough for everyone involved. From the announcers and teams, to the volunteers, sponsors, and donors, we are blessed!”