Astros Catcher Adam Bender Teaches: How To Face Spiritual Battles
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At eight years old Adam Bender has played more team sports than most professional athletes will do in a life time. This is his story. Adam was born with cancer. When Adam was one year old instead of learning how to be a kid Adam’s doctors had to remove a dangerous maligniant tumor from his left leg. As a precaution all Adam’s bone tissue and muscle was removed up to his hip joint. With no anchor to use for prosthetic support, Adam would be confined to a wheel chair his entire life. His parents worried that his cancer would return.
A year ago, when Adam Bender was 7 years old, he found a wheelchair in his family’s garage. Standing just outside the garage, the door open, he called out to his mother, Michelle. ‘Mom,’ he said, ‘come here.’ Pointing inside at the rusty, folded-up wheelchair, he said, ‘What’s that doing here?’ Anger was floating in the air. ‘That’s here just in case of an emergency,’ she said. ‘We might need it if you hurt your leg.’ ‘Get it out of here,’ Adam said. ‘Get rid of it.’ ‘What do you want me to do with it?’ Michelle asked. ‘I don’t know. Get rid of it. I’m never using it. ‘I’m just keeping it there in case we need it for something,’ Michelle said, knowing she had already lost the argument. As usual, Adam wasn’t budging. ‘I’m not getting in it.’ Within a few hours, the wheelchair was gone.
Source: ESPN Sports.com, Jeremy Schaap, November 11, 2008
Born in rural Kentucky it would not be long before his talent for sports became his passion. Adam’s parents struggled to add him to regular team sports. Adam’s performance on the field defied all expectaions, however.
Adam quickly learned to play despite his disability, becoming a catcher and lead hitter for his baseball team: the Souteastern Kentucky, Astros. With passion and entusiasm for his sport, Adam continues to play on between seasons.
Adam plays baseball, football, soccer and is even on the wrestling team. Adam strives for excellence is unmatched while leading his team to victory. And he does it all with just one leg.
Adam Bender
Also recommended: The Adam Bender Story on Tangle.Com.
For more inspirational stories you can visit Adam's website: