She Made No Excuses

When 12-year-old Lauren Rea took the mound two weeks ago, it was the end of one long journey and the beginning of another. Just a short time ago simply walking to the mound would have been unthinkable for the Delaware resident.
Lauren was an active child who enjoyed horseback riding lessons and dance. One day she began to stutter and drool. She started to lose her balance and her right arm became paralyzed. Soon the paralysis was complete, leaving her unable to even lift her head or swallow. The children’s hospital finally diagnosed the issue as Guillian-Barre Syndrome. This condition results when the immune system attacks its own body. If not reversed the outcome could be tragic.
Once the condition was diagnosed, the hospital began multiple treatments of IVIG (IntraVenous ImmunGlobulin). Eventually the IVIG stopped the progression of Guillian-Barre Syndrome, but when she left the hospital Lauren was unable to walk on her own and she had only minimal, garbled, speech functions. She began long months of speech and occupational therapy. Her family began looking for other ways to help overcome physical deficits.
During her recovery, Lauren would watch from the sidelines as her sisters played softball, wishing she could be on the field. As her condition improved slightly, her parents approached the local little league, which allowed Lauren to play with younger kids for safety reasons. Soon after, she attended a pitching clinic with Nicole Thomas, a Certified Instructor for Tincher Pitching. Nikki realized the incredible challenges ahead, but began the process of helping Lauren learn the basics and how to believe in herself. Lauren had what she needed, a cheerleader and mentor.
Lauren’s family and her doctor were pleasantly surprised at the way she responded to the pitching instruction, and they encouraged her to continue, never thinking she would see the mound in an actual game. Nikki helped her make the transition to Shelly Farris, a Tincher Pitching Certified Instructor nearer to her, so she could receive weekly lessons.
Slowly her reflexes improved. Lauren’s doctor said the pitching lessons were doing more for her than physical therapy or anything else that he, as a neurologist, could suggest. As her confidence and determination grew, she asked for more frequent lessons. Shelly patiently obliged and they began to dream that one day she might actually pitch in a rec ball game.
A few months ago I met Lauren for the first time. Shelly and Nikki invited me to come to Delaware and work with some of their promising students. They wanted to include Lauren, but after talking with Shelly I realized this was going to be a challenge that we may not be fully prepared to handle. Lauren still had very little body awareness, struggled with her balance in everyday life, and continued to experience symptoms from her ongoing battle. Shelly and I took some time and formulated an entirely different approach just for Lauren. Within the first hour, we saw that it was actually working! This unique methodology not only benefitted Lauren, but is now helping our most elite pitchers every single day.
During our workout I saw a special spirit and fire in this kid, and asked her to return for another session the next day. The only charge for the extra lesson would be that, every time I looked in her direction she must say, “Make No Excuses!” This was a kid with courage, who knew that every stride off the mound would be a leap of faith, and we began learning as much from her as she did from us.
Lauren refused to dream small, and just a few weeks after our meeting she tried out for a local travel team. Lauren’s mom, Sarah, says, “Fluid dynamics is a physical therapy that no one has ever tapped into. We never expected Lauren to pitch competitively, we were only doing it to improve her reflexes and bolster her self-confidence!” Lauren exceeded all expectations by making the travel team.
Against all odds, Lauren began the next phase in her journey two weeks ago. She actually stepped onto the mound for her travel team and, though people on the sidelines may have been uncertain, Lauren knew she had to take that leap of faith. Her totals: 16 strikeouts in just 7 innings of work…and quite possibly a few tears on the sidelines. We pay tribute to the coach who gave her the chance.
The journey is not finished and there are many challenges ahead, but Lauren has been given a glimpse into the possibilities the future could hold. She has reduced the impossible to the inconvenient. In the process 12-year-old Lauren Rae taught us all so many things that will help other kids overcome their own barriers as they reach for their dreams.
***Note: If you are a former college pitcher who would like to impact the lives of kids, contact us about our Certified Instructor program. Let us connect you with other people like you and see why they chose to join our exclusive group.