ELLIE'S BLOG on Living Well with Disability

I turned on the Today Show last week and listened to a report about the NY Yankees and their HOPE WEEK.  I was just so impressed that I wanted to share it with everyone.

HOPE Week is when every Yankee player, Manager Joe Girardi and his coaching staff and the front office staff reach out each day of a designated week to an individual, family or organization who they felt should be recognized and supported.

This outreach many times took place away from the Stadium. This was done purposely so the Yankees could personally connect with the selected individuals in the setting of their greatest personal accomplishments. And the fact that they did this in this way instead of having a cocktail party or bringing them to a game even with special recognition is what impressed me the most. Many people are uncomfortable with the disabled or underprivileged and keep their distance. But what they miss is the connection made thru empathy (not sympathy) that can change their perspective dramatically.

Below are the individuals. Be sure to click on the link below each picture to read their amazing courageous history.

13 YEAR OLD JORGE GRAJALES SURPRISED WITH A POOL PARTY 

/yankees.lhblogs.com/2010/08/16/hope-week-begins-with-jorge-grajales/

JANE LANG TRIP TO YANKEE STADIUM WITH YANKEE TEAM AND THEN A TRIP AROUND THE BASES

 http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20100817/SPORTS0101/8170351/Yankees-take-HOPE-Week-to-Morris-Plains-woman

IT'S THE NY STOCK EXCHANGE, CITY HALL AND THE UNITED NATION FOR KAMARA  FROM SIERRA LEONE

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_league_stew/post/The-Grandstand-Hailing-our-heroes-during-Hope-W?urn=mlb-263681

THE "BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE" PLAY A GAME AT YANKEE STADIUM

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http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2010/08/16/hope-week-begins-with-jorge-grajales/

HARD WORK PAYS OFF ?2 former homeless sisters are surprised and whisked off for a shopping spree by several Yankees

http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/hope_week_honors_persevering_girls_YtSq1jQ4ljXtMTZC850GNM

  Let's all do something special for other people who are trying so hard this year.                                                                                                                                

                                                                                                                                          ellie