KIDS WITH MOEBIUS--BEING ACTIVE!
Are you a Moebius mom or dad?  Would you love to see your child get outside more, get more exercise, be more active?  Well, it can be done, and you can find ways.  Sometimes you have to be creative.  Check out this story from just a few weeks ago, from Canada--and read about what young Moebius hero Ledell Kendall and his parents are doing:
"At first, Ledell Kendall was reluctant to sign her son up for Langley Baseball’s Challenger Baseball program.

Since the program incorporates kids of all ages to play on one team, she wasn’t sure how her son, Francis, would react.

Francis has autism, and moebius syndrome, a rare neurological disorder which leaves those with the condition unable to make any facial movements or move their eyes, as well as affecting their vision.

But she signed him up.

“We knew that he lacked the fine and gross motor skills to do regular baseball,” she explained.

“We were looking for something he could do, which was a typical sport, but still be safe.

“And something that was fun and not competitive.”

So Ledell and her husband Adam signed him up for Challenger Baseball.

Challenger Baseball is for children and youth who have cognitive or physical disabilities. The program allows them to play the sport in a non-competitive environment. Each player is assisted by a ‘buddy’ who assists them on the field.

It allows the players a chance to enjoy the full benefits of the sport, but structured to their abilities.

This was four years ago, and Francis, now 9, loves playing the sport.

Francis’ favourite position is back-catcher, he says, explaining that without him standing behind home plate, there would be no one to throw the ball back to the pitcher.

The Kendalls are happy too.

“He was very excited, especially when he got to wear a uniform,” Ledell said.

They love what being in some semblance of an organized sport does for their son.

“It improved his social skills because he is able to talk to his friends about baseball,” she said.

“And it improved his running, his attention span, everything.

“It helped him mature and grown so he is more in line with his peers.”

“For Francis, because of his condition, it provides structure and rules that he has to abide by,” said Adam.

“Making him keep up with the responsibilities.”

The Kendall’s would recommend other families to sign their children up.

“Some people think with Challenger baseball, you have to be in a wheelchair, or missing a limb,” Ledell said.

“It is if you are unable to cope with a regular baseball team. It allows everybody to participate because it is inclusive.”

I'd say Ledell and his parents have hit a home run with this one.  Don't be afraid, moms and dads, to let your children get out there and be active--they can do it!

“Confidence comes not from always being right, but from not fearing to be wrong.”--Peter McIntyre (1910-1995)