The life of a professional athlete can seem like all glitz and glamour, shaking hands, kissing babies, and occasionally performing in the spotlight under a little bit of pressure. But for every athlete you see on your television screen, there are actually hundreds more in the minor leagues fighting against all odds to make it to the big stage. And some of those athletes have disadvantages that mean they have to work twice as hard just to get the same respect as those who’ve had an easier road. These professionals prove that sometimes all it takes to see your dreams come true is an ability to block out the noise, put your head down, and keep your disabilities from holding you back. Here are two athletes who did just that. BILLY MISKE: FIGHTING FOR HIS LIFE Boxing is a sport of extreme violence and diligent strategy. To be a winner, you must be smart and physically capable. For a while, Billy Miske was both of those things — until he was diagnosed with the life-threatening Bright’s disease that severely affected his kidneys. Already considered a bit of an underdog, he
chose to keep fighting to pay off his increasing medical debts and give his family a shot at a better life. As his disease progressed and he realized his days were numbered, fate pitted him against heavyweight Bill Brennan. Despite his doctor’s orders, and despite facing a much larger opponent while he was literally at death’s door, Miske shocked the world by knocking Brennan out and delivering the dream Christmas that he’d promised his children in the process. He died a few days later, immortalized by his fighting spirit and refusal to quit. JIM ABBOTT: NEVER NEEDED A HAND After being born without a right hand, the odds of Jim Abbott playing baseball in any capacity seemed slim, but Jim Abbott didn’t care about the odds. After developing a one-of-a-kind fielding routine where he would switch his glove from his shorter arm to his dominant one, Abbott took his talents all the way to the major leagues. Fans around the world watched as he turned his disability into a 10-year MLB career that included throwing a no-hitter in 1993 against the New York Yankees, which was one of the most remarkable accomplishments in baseball.
Sometimes the sky isn’t enough. Ultimately, the only limits that hold you back are the ones you set for yourself.
HONOR FLIGHT: A MISSION OF THANKS
Usually, when I sit down to write my article each month, I think about the particular significance of that month. For June, two days stand out to me: Father’s Day and Memorial Day, which is a day for remembering the sacrifices made by brave Americans 75 years ago. Of course, I’m referring to the Normandy beach invasions (by men and boys largely younger than I am now) that liberated Europe and laid the foundation for generations of American prosperity.
I first learned of the Honor Flight a few years ago when I discovered both of Caitlin’s grandfathers, Grandpa Jack and Grandpa Doc (both veterans living in Iowa), had signed up for the flight with the help and encouragement of their children. More recently, my Uncle Ray (my Grandma Kassie’s brother from Minnesota) also participated in the event. At some point on their flight, all of the honorees are given letters written by their families and friends that personally thank them for their sacrifice. If I know Caitlin’s Grandpa Doc, I’m sure reading those letters brought him to tears. When my Uncle Ray went on the trip, random tourists on the streets of D.C. were coming up and thanking him. We don’t say thank you enough to the people who have come before us and put in the actual hard work. By all accounts, the Honor Flight is a fantastically run program. I haven’t heard a bad review yet. Without our veteran parents and grandparents, none of us would be in the position we are in today. Period. As Joe often says, “We didn’t hit a triple; we were born on third base.” And it’s because of the brave people like Jack and Doc and Ray (and countless others) that we’re standing there. Thank you!
While there aren’t many World War II veterans left, there are still plenty of veterans who have earned our gratitude for fighting for their county, whether in Korea, Vietnam, or the wars since. In the last few years, I’ve learned about a great program honoring these veterans run by an organization called the Honor Flight Network. The Honor Flight Network is dedicated to providing veterans with honor and closure, while allowing subsequent generations to thank those that came before us. The Honor Flight is a 1-day trip to Washington D.C. for a WWII veteran and a family member. Once in D.C., the organization provides tours of the Lincoln Memorial, Arlington National Cemetery, and other various war memorials. By design, it’s a quick trip that doesn’t require a crazy commitment to participate.
For more information on the Honor Flight program, check out HonorFlight.org.
–Pat Cummings
2 www.shannonlawgroup.com
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