Wellness is defined by Suzannah Kenton “as more than just the absence of disease. It’s a state of feeling fully alive. With wellness as our foundation, we have the energy and strength we need to overcome challenges, fulfill our dreams and ambitions and enjoy life to the fullest”. Vitality is the resultant gift from wellness. A Healthy Mind, Body, Family, and Finances are our goal for you.
Sunday, April 26, 2015
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Alkaline Water for Your Health
Kathy and I have been meeting with people from around the world that are passionate about making a difference in the lives of others. We would appreciate your input on the following thoughts about Alkaline water for your health. Perhaps the dialogue will further benefit those interested.
Have a blessed day.
jsj
Friends,
You may be aware that when
our bodies are on the acidic side (low grade acidosis), it becomes a breeding
ground for all kinds of health problems. We need to keep our bodies slightly
alkaline.
Most of us know that on a
pH scale of 1 to 14....every number less than 7 is acidic and every number more
than 7 is alkaline. What a lot of people don't know, or maybe forgot....is that
a 6 is 10 times more acid than a 7; a 5 is 100 times more acid than a 7; a 4 is
1,000 times more acid than a 7; a 3 is 10,000 more times more acid than a 7,
etc.
Conversely, an 8 is 10
times more alkaline than a 7, a 9 is 100 times more alkaline than a 7,
etc.
A soft drink typically has
a pH of around 2.5 to 3. That means that a soft drink is a million times more
acid than a glass of water with a pH of 9, for example. In fact, it would take
32 glasses of alkaline water to overcome the negative effects of one glass of a
soft drink.
Because this is so
important to understand, and even more important to keep our bodies on the
alkaline side.....we want you to know about a couple of very unique and
innovative water treatment systems our company has available. The
"Waterfall" for home and office, and the "PiMag Sport
Bottle" for use outside the home, when traveling, etc. Information about this can be found on our website. The resources tab may be helpful to you.
Thank you for taking
the time to review this information and sharing if you feel led.
John St. John
Vitality Solutions for
Life
www.Nikken.com/jsj 713-725-1842
Monday, December 9, 2013
This is a treat provided by the Air Force Band on December 3 at the Smithsonian. In keeping with our healthy mind and spirit I share this with you.
Enjoy this treat from the Air Force band.
Have a blessed Holiday Season,
jsj
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Hope for folks suffering from challenges with their Pancreas
Pancreas Problems
(These testimonials
are from people like you and me. We make NO
MEDICAL CLAIMS -- and we do not claim to heal or cure)
For more information contact John St. John at jsjwellness@gmail.com or phone 713-725-1842
From: JoMark123@aol.com
I am a Type II Diabetic and
that was my entree into the Nikken experience. I became a Diabetic by having
two bouts of Pancreatitis. I was a very
sick puppy for a long time and once we discovered the cause, it took nearly
five years to overcome. Nikken Magsteps were the first things I received and
although I had peripheral neuropathy from my toes to my knees, the reason was
simply to be able to play golf with my son in Tucson, AZ in 104 degree heat.
After the Magsteps found their way to my shoes, I did play, and then noticed
that I had some energy to spare, but the end result was far reaching. I also
noticed that next day that my FM (which comes with the Pancreatitis) didn't
react when normally I would've been rather disabled after a round of golf. When I arrived back in Atlanta I resumed my
walking routine of four miles in under an hour through the hills and valleys
that become quite steep. When a Diabetic feels that numb, tingly, burning
sensation in their feet, each step becomes a fear that some day, someone
will try to remove a toe hear
or a foot there and it's wheelchairs and a short life after that. But then the
second product experience hit and the condition of my feet disappeared, never
to return. Nothing could stop me from
sleeping on the sleep system and using the necklace and Magsteps during the
day. Pi Mag water came next and the rest is history. If I had known about
Nikken when the Pancreatitis hit first it would have been the water, the sleep
system and the day products for me. That is what I would recommend as an answer
to your question.
Dr. Tom - www.wcss.biz
--------------------------------------------------------------
From: wayndar@fmctc.com
My gall bladder had plugged up
the tube from my pancreas and I had severe pancreatites with infection. When I
woke up in Intensive Care on a respirator, I had a sleep mask on, necklace,
magsteps inside the golf sox, Nikken Pillow, back belt around me, and the
travel comforter (green one with magnets) under me. I don't remember anything,
but my wife said that after about a week my temperature wouldn't stop going up.
When it hit 105 and still climbing, they called the family in and said that I
wouldn't live. She asked if it was OK to bring some magnets and put them one
me. They told her that if my temperature didn't break that I would die in a day
or two! (I don't think that they thought that it would hurt anything because I
was almost dead and probably wouldn't survive!) They told me that my
temperature toped out at 107. A nurse later told me that in her 23 years in IC
that she had seen only one other adult survive a temperature 106, usually they
die between 105 and 106. My wife Darlene says it had to be NIKKEN!!
Wayne and Darlene Arnold - www.5pillars.com/arnold
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Hope for folks suffering from Colitis
Colitis is an inflammation of the colon, characterized by lower-bowel spasms and upper abdominal cramps.
Colitis Testimonials 2013
(These testimonials are from people like you and me. We make NO
MEDICAL CLAIMS -- and we do not claim to heal or cure)
For more information contact John St.John at Vitality Solutions
for Life at 713-725-1842; john@johnrstjohn.com , or website
www.nikken.com/jsj
From: cliff@globalwellness.ca
A couple of months ago I attempted to help out a friend that I
play hockey with, he gets migraines on a cycle every 3-4 weeks that puts him
out of commission for that day and the day after. (He takes some meds that give
him a hangover but does reduce the severity of the migraine). He has tried many
things and was particularly interested in the water. He came by my house with
his wife and nephew and I showed them the PiMag unit and Optimizer. He was
intrigued and I sent him home with a 2.5 gal container of PiMag water and an
Optimizer I. When I followed up 5 days
later to see how they were doing and if he needed more water he told me they
were ready to buy both units. I was a bit shocked as I understood his headaches
were on a longer cycle. He told me that it wasn't him but his wife who has had
Colitis for many years and goes on Prednisone to clear it up. She was currently
battling a flare-up that the Prednisone was notsolving for over 4 months. 5
days on PiMag/Optimized water and it went away. Coincidence????? She's been
drinking the P/O for over 2 months and everything has been fine.
Cliff Lapenskie - (613) 721-0039
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From: sundance@vianet.on.ca
Last evening on a call from Nikken, Dr. Pederson was specifically
asked about ulcerative colitis. He said it is absolutely essential the person
take Ciaga because Ciaga reduces inflammation of any kind within the body and
boosts the immune system. He also suggested the person take one veggie cap a
day for a week and if tolerated (diarrhea would indicate intolerance), the next
week step it up to two
caps the next week, one in the morning and one in the evening. If
there is tolerance, then the following week, introduce the Berry by taking one
a day for a week and then two a day the following week.
Barb & Wayne
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Migraine
Testimonials 2013
(These
testimonials are like you and me. We make NO MEDICAL CLAIMS -- and we do not
claim to heal or cure)
For
more information call John St. John at 281-494-8300 or email at john@johnrstjohn.com .
From: sthomas4@ix.netcom.com
Probably the biggest
reason why I became "sold" on Nikken was the relief from migraines
provided by a number of the Nikken products. My first experience of total
relief came from applying the mini's on both temples. If I had caught the
Migraine before it was really ramped up to the full-on discomfort, then within
15 minutes, the thing was gone. I only had an echo of discomfort, which is
sensitivity to light and sound and a very slight nausea. The next time I got one,
it came on while I was sleeping and by the time I applied the mini's they only
reduced the discomfort back down to a garden-variety head-discomfort but with
no nausea. After sleeping on a sleep system, including an Intellirest pillow,
and wearing the gold necklace, these episodes have disappeared. It's important
to realize there are number of reasons why they occur and different doctors
prescribe different medications depending on your age,
lifestyle and overall
health or medical condition. I'm NOT a believer in taking drugs but
comprehensive exams by an MD and a chiropractor may reveal the conditions that
exist to help "cause" these episodes, thus giving you a clue to what
to avoid and how to reduce the occurrences, or in some cases, actually
eliminate them. (I've heard of chiropractic adjustments making a big difference
if mis-alignment is the "cause.") The Nikken products DO help
greatly, but a total picture needs to be examined. It always means something is
out of balance.
Sue
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From: magnut@sprintmail.com
I worked with many
people who wear the necklaces 24 hours a day and they're migraines stopped. If
they leave the necklace off (loan it to someone) and the headache has started,
the Solitens also works very well. Normally in 10-20 minutes the headache is
gone. These products are wonderful!
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From: Luvmagnets@aol.com
I have migraines
where periodically my vision gets very shaky, I get nauseated and then my head
feels as though it is being beaten by a hammer. Usually the vision is the first
thing to go. Twice I have spun the magboys at my head for 3-5 minutes and it
has been almost like a light switch: the visual distortions turned off
immediately! So when you feel this coming on, get your magboy and get to,
because it is much easier to head off this problem than it is to stop it once
it has been started. Also in my family, the magboy has stopped menstrual cramps
in their tracks, however, I have found it takes at least 10-15 minutes of
continuous massage to the abdomen to accomplish this.
Denise
---------------------------------------------------------
From: kenlin@inreach.com
My wife gets
"chronic head in a vice" migraines. These are the bad ones that would
often require hospital visits for injections and IV's and involve vision
disruption and stomach upset. A Mini magnet placed on each temple helps the
medication she can use at home work faster and appears to make it much more
effective. When using the Mini, she also does not experience the "sore
head" and light sensitivity afterwards. The Mini's are great for this
condition because she often experiences pressure behind her right eye and is
not comfortable with the weight of the sleep mask on her eye. One of my own
experiences involved a terrible discomfort in my ear. My wife taped the mini
right behind my ear and in minutes, no more discomfort. They also are great to
help cuts "close up" faster and
with much less
evidence that there had even been a cut.
Ken Woolsey
---------------------------------------------------------
From: honeytree@unidial.com
I used to suffer from
major migraines, the kind where I'd get so sick I'd throw up, so severely that
all the tiny capillaries around my eyes would burst. No fun at all. I used to
take lots of Excedrin ... if I could hold it down.
Then I found Nikkens
magnets. The first one I used was a Magstep, on the back of the neck. Within an
hour that two-day major headache was on its way out... without ANY drugs. Now that I'm on the sleep system and off
prescription drugs, I get very few of these headaches. But if I ever do feel
one coming on, I attach a mini to the back of my neck, around the area at the
top of the spine where the bone sticks out the most. [Apparently down our
spines there are a
series of "energy centers" called chakras. It makes sense to me that
a mini (or try a max for greater coverage of nerve endings) placed at the top
of the spine would affect these serious headaches.] And it always does work.
I'm VERY thankful to be freed of drugs, whether OTC or prescribed. And free of
those headaches---------------------------------------------------------
From: wryter@erols.com
I suffered from migraines for about 15
years. Last summer I started using a headband with 5 minis or 1-2 super minis
plus 2 minis in October. I use that headband only when I feel a discomfort
starting and usually get rid of all symptoms within minutes. Actually I had not
had any headaches since getting on the sleep system until recently after
helping my mother transition to the next dimension. I guess all the crying and
stress had something to do with their return.
Ali
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From: rosieb1@home.com
I had migaines for over thirty years. I
tried different medication, it would go away for some days, but would come
back. This would happen around three times per month until I tried the Nikken
pillow and I've never had one since. Now I use the complete Sleep System. We
always take our pillows and the travel mattress with us traveling. I wouldn’t
live without them.
Rosie Briden in Iowa
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From: lynnm@1st.net
I have a customer who had had migraine headaches
for 10 years. They ranged in intensity on a pain scale from a 2 to a 10 at all
times. During a 21 Club we put a
necklace on him and the headband. He got instant results. His headaches are now
at 0. He wears the necklace at all times and wears the headband at times of
stress or when the weather changes, etc. He is delighted to say the least.
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From: her2ther@ix.netcom.com
I took 5 prescription drugs a day so I
would only have 1 – 2 migraines a month and to relief my allergies. I have not
taken 1 drug for 22 months and have had 1 migraine and very little allergies
(no enough for drugs) I have worn a necklace for 24 months and also wear magsteps
and sleep on a sleep system. I never take my necklace off unless I'm helping
Mother Nature with my hair color. And I mean NEVER. The necklace stills looks
like the day I purchased it.
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From: apeeke@BellAtlantic.net
I use to get 1 to 3 migraines a week,
for years. About a 9 ½ on a level of 10 being ready to die. The necklace took
them away. Its been 18 months. I have had 4 since then. 2 because I lent my
necklace. And the other 2 were no where as strong as usual. I could actually function
but I knew it was a migraine because I had a sick stomach.
----------------------------------------------------------------
From: Dmaril57@aol.com
I was experiencing severe (just let me
die!) migraines just before or just after my monthly cycle. Since I've been
wearing the necklace and sleeping on the mattress I have experienced a little
head discomfort every once in a while. I have not taken any medication for months.
Donna
----------------------------------------------------------------
From: apeeke@bellatlantic.net
I was a severe migraine sufferer for
YEARS. I have been free 2 years today. The necklace is what prevents them.
Every single person I have helped with the same problem, get the same results.
Some times I get a headache. Totally bearable. The migraines put me to bed, and
totally sick to my stomach. (nothing else has ever gotten me down)
----------------------------------------------------------------
From: honeytree@triton.net
For my migraines I have very
successfully used a mini (try a mini first then only if needed go to a super
mini) on the back of the neck. There is
a spot (Indian medicine calls it a chakra, an energy center) on the top of the
spine, it is around the biggest bony protuberance between the shoulders,
directly over the spine and (on me) about three inches below my hair line. When
I feel a migraine coming on, I tape a mini there, and the migraine does not
develop. The necklace does not work the same way for me, I don't know why.
Others use a max (larger circle) on the same spot, it simply covers more nerve
cells. All the best - migraines are worth avoiding!!!
Deb in Grand Rapids, Michigan
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From: richmaria@centurytel.net
I have had my necklace for a little over two years now, and
have been completely free of migraines. I have suffered from migraines since
1969, and literally went through nursing school eating Excedrin. I went the
route with my family doc injecting my neck muscles with cortisone to going to
the headache clinic at the Cleveland Clinic. I got temporary relief from the
exercises from the clinic, but finally I discovered Nikken, by the grace of
God. Since then migraines have been history.
Maria
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From: peter@touchpoints.org.au
I was a chronic migraine sufferer (2-3 a week). I had
damaged by back in a work related accident. I was also having stomach
trouble. All these problems cleared
after sleeping on a sleep system and using a back flex - All it took was 3
days.
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From: jare1@juno.com
A friend of mine was having very frequent migraines. She has
been using the PiMag bottle and necklace for one month. She just called to tell
me that she hasn't had any migraines since using the products. She was
practically living on analgesics and now she doesn't have to take them.
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From: sandsid@charter.net
My new wellness consultant started to develop a migraine as
we were talking. She was under pressure to get to her job earlier than planned.
I handed her my Nikken necklace. Within minutes she told me the headache was
subsiding. She wore it for her eight
hour job, on her feet, and never developed the headache. She gets them quite
often. She was thrilled to NOT get one this time. She has ordered her own.
----------------------------------------------------------------
From: sandsid@charter.net
I have witnessed a woman, who felt a migraine coming on,
improve immediately when I loaned her my necklace. She felt the aura
diminishing. She wore it to work as a grocery checker and the headache never
developed. She has purchased her own. Under extreme stress occasionally a
migraine may reoccur.
Sidney
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From: hezion@shaw.ca
My father in-law, who is an accountant, suffered for years
with migraine headaches. It was just part of life for him to take prescribed
medicine for his migraine headaches. We suggested he try wearing a Nikken
necklace. He very skeptically tried it, and he has never had a migraine since.
That is over five years ago now.
Don
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From: jare1@sbcglobal.net
Our daughter suffered from very frequent migraines for
years, now it's rare. Products she uses are: PiMag/Optimized water (around a
gallon a day), necklace, sleep system, PalmMag, Air Power5, Ciaga, JGZ, Women's,
Calcium, Lactoferrin, Immunity and other products as needed (she is a violinist
and sometimes gets aches related to playing the instrument for a long period of
time).
Annette
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From: beth@bluegrasswellness.com
From age 11, I have suffered from debilitating migraine
headaches. At first, I go blind, then can’t speak and have about 25 minutes to
get into a dark room before the agonizing pounding in my temple hits. Drugs
have never helped. In September, 2000, I was introduced to Nikken. I hoped the
necklace would possibly give me an extra 5 minutes to get into my dark room.
After 4 months, still migraine free, I was at a Christmas party with a friend
who complained of a pounding sinus headache, so I gave her my chain because I’d
seen it help with congestion. Twenty minutes later, she bounced up to me and
declared not only her headache gone, but her sinuses were miraculously cleared.
But during the time she had my necklace (she paid for it), I had a horrific
migraine. As soon as the new one arrived, I put it on and have never taken it
off since. I am thrilled to report that was December 2000 and I haven’t had ONE
migraine since.
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From: nrg2day@5pillars.com
I suffered from migraines until I used the sleep system and
the necklace. Mine used to start as Charlie horse up my back and then turn into
jack hammer pounding which could keep in bed for up to 3 days. And affect my
great humor. After I put the necklace on to stop the Charlie horse from
spreading up my back, a couple hours later I only had a mild headache that I
could live with. After 5 years the only time I have had a migraine is the one time
I lent my necklace to my sister who did not return it for 3 weeks. I found
after 5 years that I can have the necklace off for about a week before mild
headaches reappear. I just don't let it get past that point.
Peter
----------------------------------------------------------------
From: bolo1846@aol.com
My daughter suffered from migraines for 4 years. She would
be in bed for 6 days twice a month. She was allergic to the medications so she
suffered. I was worried about how I was going to send her off to college. She
allowed me to use the comforter, pillow and mask on her. With those three
products, I sent her off to college. She was able to lengthen the time between
migraines to every other month. About
six months ago she told me that she hadn't suffered a full blown migraine in 2
years. When she gets the feeling of a migraine coming on, she lays on her sleep
system, puts the mask on and within one to two hours her headache is gone.
Roz
----------------------------------------------------------------
From magnut@sprintmail.com
My daughter has migraines that are hormone induced. As long
as she wears the necklace, she has no problem with migraines. She also sleeps on a sleep system. She was
still having problems with migraines until the necklace became available.
Elaine
----------------------------------------------------------------
From: Plganson@aol.com
I used to get migraines quite often. I have found that the
Nikken necklace (I have the "old" gold one) does wonders for me. Also, since I don't have caffeine in my diet
on a regular basis, if I drink a regular Pepsi (not the diet) at the beginning
of the headache, I can usually ward off the full attack. I've worn the necklace
every day now for several years, and it's really made a difference. I also drink
optimized PiMag water. I LOVE Nikken
products.
Peggy Ganson
----------------------------------------------------------------
From: thecasters@comcast.net
I met a woman 9 years ago who had severe migraines about
once a month and took very strong prescription meds that helped after a period
of days. I gave her a Roll Out and then she started wearing the necklace and
sleeping on the total sleep system. After about 2 to 3 months she began to have
less severe headaches. Soon after she had minor ones that just over-the-counter
meds helped. She now hasthem very seldom, far apart and like a regular headache
like the rest of us that aspirin helps get rid of in an hour or so.
Bonnie
----------------------------------------------------------------
From: brandostile@cox.net
I have suffered migraines since I was a teenager. The one
thing that has kept them down is the necklace. I wear it 24 hours a day and
only take it off for a shower. The headband and sleep mask help when I have a
migraine. I also have a complete wellness home. I sleep on the old Nikken
mattress and feel the benefits of the cocoon each day. I love the water and
drink plenty especially when I feel one approaching. The new organic vitamins
really help too.
Karen
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Two Choices: This post is offered for Society to consider the health of this story. You may find it worth sharing. Heathy Society is one of our Goals
Two Choices
What would you do?....you make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?
At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its
Dedicated staff, he offered a question:
'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection.
Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.
Where is the natural order of things in my son?'
The audience was stilled by the query.
The father continued.. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'
Then he told the following story:
Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a fatherI also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.
I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning..'
Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt.. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.
In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.
Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.
At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?
Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.
However, as Shay stepped up to the
Plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.
The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.
The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.
As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.
The game would now be over.
The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman.
Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game..
Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.
Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first!
Run to first!'
Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.
He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.
Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'
Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.
By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball . The smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.
He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.
Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.
All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'
Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third!
Shay, run to third!'
As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'
Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team
'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.
Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!
A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.
What would you do?....you make the choice. Don't look for a punch line, there isn't one. Read it anyway. My question is: Would you have made the same choice?
At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its
Dedicated staff, he offered a question:
'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection.
Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.
Where is the natural order of things in my son?'
The audience was stilled by the query.
The father continued.. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'
Then he told the following story:
Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a fatherI also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.
I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning..'
Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt.. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.
In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.
Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.
At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?
Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.
However, as Shay stepped up to the
Plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.
The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.
The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.
As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.
The game would now be over.
The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman.
Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game..
Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.
Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first!
Run to first!'
Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.
He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.
Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'
Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.
By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball . The smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.
He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.
Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.
All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'
Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third!
Shay, run to third!'
As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'
Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team
'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.
Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!
A wise man once said every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.
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