A Hero Is a Hero Is a Hero… So Is Your Child
The Fall Classic is upon us, and the Milwaukee Brewers have won their first World Series championship. But there’s a story within the story that has caught my attention.
A certain Brewers player was a winner long before he laced up his cleats and headed out to center field. And he’ll remain a winner regardless of what happens in the World Series.
Garrett Mitchell has made a name for himself with key hits, outstanding plays, and an incredible work ethic. In fact, he hit the go-ahead home run that helped send the Brewers to the World Series.
My friend Lee Mazzilli once told me that only the “best of the best of the best of the best of the best” make it to the major leagues.
Garrett made it there while managing type 1 diabetes, which he was diagnosed with at age nine.
When talking about connecting with others who live with diabetes, Garrett said, “I’m not thinking about Garrett the baseball player, I’m thinking about Garrett the Type 1 diabetic.” Yahoo Sports
Dwell on that for a moment. Here is a star playing baseball on its biggest stage, and he takes time to share what he has learned with others who face the same challenges he does.
As Garrett once said, “I want to be able to share my story with other kids who are diabetic and think the world is against them.” baseballamerica.com
So, in honor of this 28-year-old—who is much wiser than his years—I want you to share the two pictures posted alongside this article with your child.
Show them Garrett’s card. Then have them color themselves into the other picture. Put it on your refrigerator where everyone can see it every day.
Because going to school, studying, working after school, playing sports, pursuing dreams, and managing diabetes along the way is every bit as worthy of recognition in your child’s everyday life as it is in Garrett’s.
When Garrett was growing up, he looked up to Sam Fuld, another professional baseball player who competed alongside the best of the best of the best of the best… while living with diabetes.
Now Garrett has become that example for another generation.
Tell your child that their dreams matter. Whether they want to play baseball, make music, teach, discover something new, or follow a path all their own, they can pursue what they love and become an all-star in life.
The future is theirs for grabbing.
Tell them Diabetes Dad and Garrett Mitchell told them so.
I’m a diabetes dad.
Please visit my Diabetes Dad Facebook page and hit “like.”
Tagged: diabetes, diabetes dad, diabetes inspiration