Help Jefferson Play Ball
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Jefferson’s Story
Jefferson was born tiny, addicted to methamphetamine,with a bacterial lung infection. Immediately, the doctors at Loma Linda University Medical Center realized he had PDA (hole in his heart). Biological mother was high and intoxicated; fearing arrest, she fled without her son after giving birth. It is no surprise that he then presented with Failure to Thrive and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FASD). FASD is the number one cause of intellectual disabilities (more common than Autism) and has proved to be the hardest hurdle he would face. This little man was a fighter though. He was placed with four foster parents and had two failed adoptive placements before coming to our family at seven months-old. We discovered soon after his arrival that Jefferson is a VERY active person. Symptoms of FASD include ADHD, anxiety, impulsivity, inability to sleep, lack of executive functioning and consequential thinking. Jefferson also has dis-maturity so he operates cognitively and emotionally at half of his chronological age. He is extremely athletic. This is his gift from God and his acceptance into his social interaction with peers. His favorite sports are baseball, football, and wrestling. Jefferson has earned eight Varsity letters and is only a Junior in High School. Jefferson’s goals are to go to college and play sports at a higher level while earning a degree in sports management. He loves coaching youth sports and is often called the “Heart and Soul” of his team. Recently, he tried out for and made the Under Armour 18 and under team (Baseball Factory) which includes being invited to the Omaha National World Series at the end of June; being exposed to college coaches, attending the NCAA World Finals, and taking his game to a higher level. He was rated at a Division I college level of ability which is AMAZING as a Junior! His throw was clocked at 95 MPH, his batting exit speed is 85 MPH and he is only going to get better as he has not had any private lessons. Living in a very rural area in North West Colorado, makes accessing regular opportunities difficult as they are all 2 ½ to 4 ½ hours away. The cost of the program is between $6,500 to $7,000 depending on the deals we can get for airfare and hotel. Jefferson’s mom is a single parent who is a substitute teacher therefore, has no income with limited funds during the summer months. We are asking for any support that you can give so that Jefferson can experience this opportunity and become better prepared for the college experience. If anyone had said that the little tiny infant that was placed into his adoptive moms arms would grow into a 185 lb dynamic athlete with the chance to go to college, she would not have believed you! Jefferson has a caring heart and wants to “make his mom proud”. Please, whatever you can do, it will be greatly appreciated.
PS Jefferson wants to remind you that there is no amount of alcohol that is safe to drink when you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant as FASD is 100% preventable.
Jefferson was born tiny, addicted to methamphetamine,with a bacterial lung infection. Immediately, the doctors at Loma Linda University Medical Center realized he had PDA (hole in his heart). Biological mother was high and intoxicated; fearing arrest, she fled without her son after giving birth. It is no surprise that he then presented with Failure to Thrive and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FASD). FASD is the number one cause of intellectual disabilities (more common than Autism) and has proved to be the hardest hurdle he would face. This little man was a fighter though. He was placed with four foster parents and had two failed adoptive placements before coming to our family at seven months-old. We discovered soon after his arrival that Jefferson is a VERY active person. Symptoms of FASD include ADHD, anxiety, impulsivity, inability to sleep, lack of executive functioning and consequential thinking. Jefferson also has dis-maturity so he operates cognitively and emotionally at half of his chronological age. He is extremely athletic. This is his gift from God and his acceptance into his social interaction with peers. His favorite sports are baseball, football, and wrestling. Jefferson has earned eight Varsity letters and is only a Junior in High School. Jefferson’s goals are to go to college and play sports at a higher level while earning a degree in sports management. He loves coaching youth sports and is often called the “Heart and Soul” of his team. Recently, he tried out for and made the Under Armour 18 and under team (Baseball Factory) which includes being invited to the Omaha National World Series at the end of June; being exposed to college coaches, attending the NCAA World Finals, and taking his game to a higher level. He was rated at a Division I college level of ability which is AMAZING as a Junior! His throw was clocked at 95 MPH, his batting exit speed is 85 MPH and he is only going to get better as he has not had any private lessons. Living in a very rural area in North West Colorado, makes accessing regular opportunities difficult as they are all 2 ½ to 4 ½ hours away. The cost of the program is between $6,500 to $7,000 depending on the deals we can get for airfare and hotel. Jefferson’s mom is a single parent who is a substitute teacher therefore, has no income with limited funds during the summer months. We are asking for any support that you can give so that Jefferson can experience this opportunity and become better prepared for the college experience. If anyone had said that the little tiny infant that was placed into his adoptive moms arms would grow into a 185 lb dynamic athlete with the chance to go to college, she would not have believed you! Jefferson has a caring heart and wants to “make his mom proud”. Please, whatever you can do, it will be greatly appreciated.
PS Jefferson wants to remind you that there is no amount of alcohol that is safe to drink when you are pregnant or if you could become pregnant as FASD is 100% preventable.
Organizer
Valerie Hunter Piatt
Organizer
Craig, CO
