By Jessica Cooley
The Lufkin Daily News
Sunday, March 29, 2009

After years of cheering on brothers and sisters from the stands, special needs children in East Texas are getting their very own field of dreams.

The idea began when Deanna Ramsey of Lufkin saw signs posted for city league T-ball sign up and wondered what activities may be available for her six-year-old son Brayden, who at 21 months caught a virus that caused brain damage.

“I wanted the opportunity for him to be part of something bigger than himself and the chance to play sports with other kids,” Ramsey said. “There are many special needs children in the area that would love the opportunity to play.”

Lufkin Parks and Recreation saw Ramsey’s idea as the perfect way to bring Winston Park in North Lufkin back to life, according to Mike Akridge, LP&R superintendent.

“We’re remodeling the restrooms to be more handicap accessible and adding picnic tables to create a family atmosphere,” said Don Hannabas, LP&R director. “We’d like to add additional facilities in the future, like a soccer field for the kids.”

The field will host the first league event April 4 with team hopefuls coming out to get their cleats dirty.

Avid Astros fan Dalton McCleskey, 8, of Lufkin is excited about the chance to take the field, according to his mother Missy McCleskey.

“He’s always wanted to play,” McCleskey said. “When we take him by Minute Maid Park he always tells me ‘Mama, me Astros.’”

Dalton, the youngest of six, was diagnosed at birth with Down syndrome. McCleskey said she hesitated to put him in regular city league T-ball because she knew there would come a time when his dream would turn to heartbreak as the other kids started performing at a higher level.

“We didn’t know when we would have to tell him ‘no, you can’t play anymore’ but we knew it would happen eventually,” McCleskey said. “We’re really excited to see this league.”

Both McCleskey and Ramsey say they are looking forward to the camaraderie the league will bring to the parents as well.

“It is a good support system for the parents to get together and be accepted amongst each other,” Ramsey said.

“We all know what each other go through,” McCleskey agreed.

The parents have big hopes for the program, McCleskey said.

“Our dream is to have a miracle field one day,” McCleskey said. “That would be awesome, but we’ll start small.”

Lufkin Parks and Recreation did not have the park in its budget for this year but made it a priority because of community interest. Additional funding is needed to complete Ramsey’s vision, Hannabas said.

“We need community support to finish the fence that will keep our kids secure and safe,” Ramsey said. “We’ve had shirts and hats provided by Real Graphics so that helps.”

Although Ramsey said she isn’t sure how Brayden’s first time to take the field will go, she is excited about the impact it will make in his life.

“For him to be out there developing those skills is important,” Ramsey said. “Learning the game and running around out there makes him smile.”

Courtesy of Lufkin Daily News