 Demetree Miracle Field is located at Trotters Park in Orlando, FL.  The Miracle League is a baseball program for children with physical or mental disabilities and special needs.  To help children with disabilities build self-worth, overcome boundaries and achieve their dreams by participating in America’s favorite past-time: baseball  The Central Florida Miracle League, in partnership with the City of Orlando and Orange County, built a Field of Dreams designed to accommodate wheelchairs and other walking– assistance devices.

 The Demetree Miracle Field was constructed with a custom- designed cushioned synthetic turf to literally “level” the playing field for all participants.  To help the athletes, The Miracle League uses “Angels in the Outfield”, a buddy system pairing each player with an able-bodied volunteer, which results is a bond that cannot be described.  Now in its eighth year, the Central Florida Miracle league has 125 participants and a league in Clermont & Tavares.

 The league accepts children 5-16 years of age, though special provisions exist for year olds.  Every participant will receive a team hat and a jersey. Every child will bat, field and score.  The Demetree Miracle Field is the first of its kind in the state of Florida founded by Kelly Puckett.  In three years, The Miracle League has grown from a single league to 200 across the United States. It's the fastest growing baseball league for children with disabilities.

 They accept any child with any physical or mental disability. The league was created to give severely disabled children an opportunity to play baseball, so they've adapted one general rule to determine eligibility. If your child is capable of playing in traditional baseball leagues, then they are not suited for the Miracle League.  Went for two Saturdays and assisted the players.  Paired up with a player  Two games were played  During the games we would: *cover up the player *play catch with them *assist them in getting balls *help them bat *run the bases with them

 There were around 20 players per game with 10 players on each team. There were two games played with two new teams. So approximately 40 players altogether were out there at one point by the time the games were over.  You were paired with a player for each game, giving you a chance to work with 2 players. I personally worked with 3 players depending on if a player had to leave or wanted to sit out for a break. These individuals are considered persons with disabilities based on the I.D.E.A. These children meet the definition of a “child with disabilities” according to the U.S. Title 20 § 1401 (3)(A).

 Intellectual Disabilities  Autism Spectrum Disorder  Concept of Motor Skills for children with severe disabilities EEX 4242 Exceptional Education in a Secondary Setting Dr. Pratt Marrett. Three course topics I better understand: Bos, Candace S., Schumn, Jeanne S., and Sharon R. Vaughn. Teaching Students Who Are Exceptional, Diverse, and At Risk. 5th ed. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Person Education, Inc., Print.

Volunteering builds CHARACTER!! The purpose of life is to have a life of purpose!! Experience cannot be taught within a classroom !!

“What is it all about?” “The people.. It’s all about the people.”

To be continued 