From the staff of the Lexington Herald-LeaderKentucky.comSubscribe to Heraldleaderphoto.comNews FeedSubscribe to Heraldleaderphoto.comComments

Adam Bender


Adam Bender, 8, is one of several kids who plays catcher in Southeastern’s rookie league at Veterans Park. What makes Adam stand out is that he plays one of the toughest positions on the field with only one leg. Because of cancer, he had his left leg amputated when he was one. Adam doesn’t use a prosthesis, and only uses crutches when he reaches base for the Astros. Charles Bertram | Staff READ THE STORY

UPDATE: Since the story of 8-year old cancer survivor Adam Bender was published in the Lexington Herald-Leader, and on www.kentucky.com, on June 1, 2008, the one-legged catcher has been invited to throw out first pitches at a Chicago White Sox game, a Cincinnati Reds game, a Houston Astros game, and has been invited to a Garth Brooks benefit in Las Vegas. He is also being profiled for a story that will air on ESPN. On Sunday June 6, 2008, Adam threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Adam Dunn of the Reds.

Share:
  • E-mail this story to a friend!
  • Digg
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google Bookmarks
  • StumbleUpon
  • Fark
  • NewsVine
  • Technorati
  • TwitThis
  • YahooMyWeb
  • Print this article!
1,528,732 views

Comments

1,021 Responses to “Adam Bender”
  1. brian moore says:

    I am an amputee myself(above the knee) as well……I give this kid sooooooo much props. on his achievments…WOW…he is great with 1 leg ,alot better then i can do, i better push myself harder obviously…I only lost my leg 2 yrs. ago!!!

    • Judy says:

      Brian, never say never should be your motto. There is nothing that you can’t do - just put your mind to it. When the doctors told me I couldn’t do something - my parents would say - mark our words she’ll have done that just because you told her she couldn’t. I did, just so I could tell them na na na I did it. Just stand up - and say oh ya - yes I can. (don’t take offense to my statement above - you can still stand - even if you had no legs you always can stand- hold your head high) Judy

  2. It makes me weep when I see the horrible things that the medical establishment is doing to the people around the world.

    • Tobin says:

      Like saving peoples lives? Damn medical establishmnet, the nerve! Im sure the boy would have rather died with two legs than live with one.

      Think before you talk.

      • Anonymous says:

        You’re a jerk! You insensitive blow hard!

      • Gena M says:

        Tobin, you sure have an “I’m the top of the world & no one can compete with me” attitude. It’s a darn good thing that dim-wits like you aren’t in the medical profession. Even a quadrapalegic can have a productive life.
        You seem to be the Neo-Nazi-only-the-perfect should survive kind.
        How dare you speak like that for someone else before talking with them, & their families?
        A friend of mine lost a leg below the knee in a motorcycle accident; the lady driver never even saw him: So he should have died, rather than get a prosthetic?
        Oh ye of little knowledge.
        And a lady I went to grade & high school with who was born missing her right arm from the elbow down? Should people like Obama’s folks condemn her to death, simply because she wasn’t born “perfect?” Perfect by whose standards?
        You need to look in the mirror: certainly you have some disformity that you aren’t facing, whether it be intelligence, looks, physical or mental problems.
        As was said by a wise person: look in the mirror & judge yourself before you judge another. Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
        My bet is you cannot do any of the above.
        May God bless you, & forgive your lack of compassion & understanding.

        • Jamie says:

          Gena M.,
          It was clear that Tobin was using a thing called sarcasm… They were saying how ridiculous Challen’s comment was. Try to understand things before you go on a tangent. I am not trying to sound like a jerk, i completely agree with everything you said, but it was in a manner that was unfair to Gena.

    • DanaDK says:

      It makes me weep, too! ….in awe, with inspiration and gratefulness that we can save lives like Adam Bender, who is a beautiful example of the human spirit. “That” establishment is not perfect, but without it we wouldn’t have Adam to inspire us. What possibly causes a person to leave that kind of statement.

  3. patrick says:

    You are amazing! End of story..

    Challen…people like you deserve to be in his position… the hospital may have taken his leg but I am sure it was to stop the spread of cancer…

  4. Amy says:

    Adam is an amazing young man!. Every boy and girl throughout the world should read this article and watch the story. What an extraordinary young man!

  5. Melanie says:

    This is such an inspirational video, words can not express the emotions that I felt watching this young boy work so hard to be the best that he can be!!!
    My hope is that other children can learn to see that anything is possible if you are willing to try!

  6. fritz says:

    what a great story. a boy with the gift that did not give up. i wish other kids would have that spirit he has. i was a cacther when i was young playing ball. i would love to meet or talk to this boy on the phone. keep it up buuddy. we love you for this fritz schneider

  7. Lee Salz says:

    Adam is a true inspiration. In this tough economy, there are a lot of people that have gotten down on themselves. They have lost their drive, their motivation. Look to this 8 year-old phenom to see that you can accomplish anything if you believe in yourself.

    Go get em, Adam!

  8. Everyone needs inspiration everyday, Adam is being the inspiration and changing lives without him knowing it. What a gift!

  9. Jackie Smith says:

    from Jackie; I am an amputee also, cancer was the cause I lost my leg, but with the help of God me and Adam can succeed, and I want to say Adam is my hero.

  10. Steve says:

    God bless this kid, that was one of the most amazing things ive ever seen. Its just so awesome!

  11. Jacqueline says:

    I am in tears. What a Kid!!!! The parents of this child must be absolutely in awe of him. If you read my post please give your son a kiss and tell him that he has inspired a 42 year old woman in Tampa Florida to go for anything she wants. Adam you are unbelievable and may God Bless you because you are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
    Thank you.

  12. brittany says:

    woooww!!!!!!! this kid is amazing!!!!! i play softball and i doubt i could ever play with 1 leg like that.. this kid is amazing!!!!

  13. Mary D. says:

    Adam, You are one brave little boy. I say, “Go get em tiger”.

  14. Rhonda McDonough from Pittsburgh, PA says:

    I think Adam is a really strong and wonderful kid. His parents and coaches are really loving people. I thought everyone treated him just like everyone else, which is what he obviously wants. To see Adam do what he did is something I hope my grandchildren cand do and all the kids should live from his fine example. I don’t know him, but I am proud of him. Tkhank you for showing the Vidio of Adam. Those of us who feell sorry for ourselves about trivial things, should take Adams strenth and will power and follow his fine example. My best wishes for Adam, his aprents and coaches for being there for him. Also all the people at the game. God bless all of you.

  15. Patrick says:

    If 2% of the human race had 1/2 the heart of this little guy, can you imagine how much more of a wonderful world this would be??? Also… MAJOR KUDOS to whom ever are his parents /guardians! Keep up the GREAT WORK! Brother Adam should be a major inspiration to us ALL! May you reap all of the blessings God has to offer!

  16. Aaron Fensterheim says:

    EVERY MAJOR LEAGUE PLAYER SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO WATCH THIS VIDEO.

  17. B Delie says:

    Such a joy to see a child so much in love with life/ Thank you for sharing this wonderful child with us. So much we can learn from him.. Gods Blessings on your family

  18. Laura says:

    way to go lil man, u brought a tear to my eye and i’m sure i wount be the only girl you’ll make cry i bet your gonna be a hart breaker some day go get em kid! best of luck to you!!

Trackbacks

Check out what others are saying about this post...
  1. [...] this Week in Pictures, there’s high school championship ballgames, a phenomenal one-legged 8-year-old baseball player, singing at Summit City, Memorial Day observances, a final salute to a Millersburg icon, and signs [...]

  2. [...] This is awesome… this kid lost his leg to cancer and still goes on to play. Amazing video… Adam Bender | Heraldleaderphoto.com [...]

  3. [...] out this kid. Hmmmmmm. So what’s are latest "problem"? Adam Bender | Heraldleaderphoto.com __________________ Pair off in groups of three, and line up in a [...]

  4. [...] This is what HEART is all about. Adam Bender | Heraldleaderphoto.com [...]

  5. [...] catcher, stands on his one leg while batting and hops to first base after he hits the ball. The Lexington Herald-Leader reports: What makes Adam stand out is that he plays one of the toughest positions on the field with only [...]

  6. [...] time you’re feeling down… Watch this kid… nuff said. Adam Bender | Heraldleaderphoto.com __________________ "The defence of one

  7. Adam Bender Inspires Baseball…

    ……

  8. [...] - what a great story probably you guys have seen this - I had not……………must see Adam Bender | Heraldleaderphoto.com __________________ 2001 QC, 4×4, 435HP, 878 Ft Lbs and two yellow labs-275,000, 8 Sep [...]

  9. [...] here for the videos, and here for news stories. Share These icons link to social bookmarking sites [...]

  10. [...] placed in you what you need to do whatever task he has called you to.  Video clip is below, click HERE for more of the [...]

  11. [...] Added 09 Jul 08 from http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com Flag as inappropriate or broken [...]

  12. [...] Talk about inspirational. If you (or your kids) ever thought you had it tough and could not do something, watch this great video!  [...]

  13. [...] sent me the following email yesterday evening: “This will do your heart good.” Dr. Husak included this link after his short message. The link is a video clip that can also be enjoyed at YouTube. The [...]

  14. [...] The next time you feel like you just can’t do something, think of this kid:  http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com/2008/05/31/adam-bender/ [...]

  15. [...] the Kentuckian who intrigues me most is Adam Bender, the Lexington boy who hasn’t let a missing leg slow him down, much less stop him. He [...]

  16. [...] this on a few boards, do your part to help this kid’s charity and vote for him on the second link. Adam Bender | Heraldleaderphoto.com Kentucky.com Featured [...]

  17. [...] Bender | Heraldleaderphoto.com Collected by Teach With Vision on Jul 26, 2008 from http://www.heraldleaderphoto.com // Event.onDOMReady(function() { // sizeText($(’video_title’), 475); // }) collect this [...]



Speak Your Mind

Tell us what you're thinking...
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!