C.A.S.T. for Kids in Alabama a benefit Tournament for handicapped kids

by paula l summerville
(Texas for now)

Alabama has hosted two C.A.S.T. For Kids Tournaments
which has a special meaning to me for two reasons. This is a tournament for handicapped kids and their families learn about fish and how to catch the fish.

My granddaughter Kelcie is legally blind and has limited movement of her on left side. She just turn 11 years old in Sept. and still weights less than fifty pounds.

The medical term is Central Diabetes Insipidus,
I just know it has to do with damage to the central part of her brain before she was born that they believe was caused when her mother had a bad car accident while pregnent.

That is the part of the brain that controls your motor skills and it also makes her thursty all the time.

The doctors told us he didn't know if she would ever walk, talk, or be able to do anything on her own she was
four when she started walking and she is going to school now.

She is in the third grade and very smart she just can't speak well, she has to use a speech device and she has learned to sign.

The second reason is my sister Joann she was born paralyzed from the waist down it was called spina bifida (meningomyelocele).
She just turned 44 in June, the doctors said she would not live to be a teenager.

She has participated in the special Olympics for years going to state and nationals and still going strong.
I have took part in many benefits functions played softball with the handicapped adults.



I have bowled with them at the bowling ally. The lanes in Hoover Alabama have these special rails for the ones in wheel chairs to use when they bowl. It helps them to control the ball better.

Alabama has come a long way when it comes to the handicapped, when my sister Jo ann started to school I had to pull her wheel chair up steps.

It took about two years after she had started to school for them to build a ramp at the back door now its the law and they are every where.

Functions like this means so much the looks on their faces.
When they hit the ball, or knock the pins downs,or catch a fish
it helps them to feel normal like everyone else,
and they can do what everyone else can.


My family and I have always encouraged Joann to do things on her own.
And when we learned of kelcie's disabilities I gave my son the same advise to make her feel as normal as possible.


You do more harm feeling sorry for them and trying to help them all the time. Help them build their own way to adapt to
living in this world with what they have and you will be surprised what they can do.


C.A.S.T. is having a benefit tournament to help raise money
for theses tournaments for the kids it is April 10th 2010 for more information
go to: Casts for Kids in Alabama