Adam Bender
May 31, 2008 by Charles Bertram
Filed under Charles Bertram, Photographers, Sports, Videos
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.
I would just want to attack those walls with colouring...
Adam, watching you play and how you put your all into the game brought tears to my eyes for you show that if you think that you can’t do something you won’t, but if you try you can be amazing like you are. “PRAISE GOD FOR YOUR iNSPERATION FOR US”.
and that is good that you support him
You know… my problems are not so bad after all…..Go Adam!!!! Thanks.
Adam,
Thank you for sharing your story. You are truly an inspiration! May God bless you!
Adam, watching you play and how you put your all into the game brought tears to my eyes for you show that if you think that you can’t do something you won’t, but if you try you can be amazing like you are. “PRAISE GOD FOR YOUR iNSPERATION FOR US”.
This is on of the most courageous things that I have ever seen!! This boty should be an inspiration to us all!
To God Be The Glory for what He has done in Adam’s Life. In our weaknesses He is made strong. Only God could give this young man such desire and zeal for life. Thank You Lord for this example of how we should have endurance and never give up, we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength!
I think he would rather had his leg god!
Tim, you just don’t get it, do you. That is not a question, but a statement.
Tim,
I agree, Adam had rather have his leg. God allows things to happen sometimes to make each us stronger than we can be. Would Adam be as strong physically, mentally, or spiritualy if he still had his leg….no knows but God. What about his parents? Always remember, God will never give you more than you can handle, but isn’t amazing how strong God thinks we are!
Perhaps god gave him the desire and zeal, but I prefer to think Adam found both from within himself. His accomplishments are his alone, and he should be truly proud.
Anybody wondering what wold’ve hapened if he had both legs. My guess is that he would have made a millionaire career in baseball. Goooooooo…Adam !
Any professional athelete thinking about throwing a career away because of steroids or dogfighting or drugs should watch this and maybe they will realize how easy they got it!!!!
Oh, Lew you are SOOO right! His SPIRIT just shines.
This boy should have his picture up next to every american flag.
He has more courage in his little finger than any six men.
Send a picture to all the losers on wall st,and just maybe
they might stop whinning.
Adam has the true American spirit! just keep going.
He is truely a remarkable young man,and his parents are just as
remarkable for supporting him in what he wants to do.
God bless him and his family. I just seen him on the channel 7 news
on Boston tv and had to see if I could find a web site for him.
I have been complaining about a bad knee for a week.
I feel like a jerk. I Am lucky I have a knee. HE MADE MY DAY.
DON HAMMOND SR.
Hi, My name is Tyler and I to play baseball except I have both my legs but I have acid reflux, ashma, and migrain problems so I have a ruff time as well and good luck in the rest of your career in baseball.
뭔소리임?
WTF
To the poster of WTF: Find something else to do! It is obvious that you are about 11 years old, too young to make any sense at all! Take your ball and go home to your mother.
Shame on you for saying that, this fine young man has the determination most of us don’t have. You would just make life miserable for everyone around you.
Keep up the good work Adam and God Bless you
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???????????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Adam is an inspiration to all of us. He is on my Hero list. Jimmy Vee is looking down on him with proud. God Bless Adam.
thanks……. for me, this is a true lesson of life ¡¡¡¡
but many people are incapacitated by their own fears … this shows us that “to want is power “….gooooooo ADAM:..
awesome resource.
Adam i wrestle and i wrestle hard. But you just inspired me too wrestle even harder the next time i step on the mat. You are a great kid!
WOW–you are a special child of God and I know D\God is cheering you on each and every play, What a trooper you are.
Wow! I am speechless-what a boy and family filled with great strength. Keep doing what you are doing Adam-you are an inspiration to many…
Alicia in Louisville
I was almost crying when I saw this. I layed my head on my dad’s shoulder, because I’m so glad Adam’s alive! He could’ve died from…. that kind of cancer. Wow, bless Adam and his family!
big deal..its not like he is the 1st child, adult or person to play a sport or do anything with a missing limb..get over it already.
Wow…just wow.
Big Deal??? I’m not sure how senseless an individual you are, but what to you say if we just cut off your leg and see what a big deal it is….you’re pathetic!
Seems to me that your the one who is pathetic…..or rather empathetic….the kid had cancer–that one by itself is an achievement, simply to overcome. What a looser.
Staci, I believe Don L. was replying to someone and questioning that they were remarking it as not a “big deal”. Notice the ???, meaning it was a question, like what…are you kidding me? So, he was and is not pathetic. The young man, Adam, is amazing and I as well give God the glory because strenght is through Him, and I believe this young man has a story and a purpose much greater than baseball.
Adam should be a reminder to lots of whiny adults that no matter what is handed to us, we can handle it. What a remarkable and inspiring little boy. He is surely destined for greatness. Keep up the good work Adam!
p.s… to Kendallalyia Polvshenavkopf, SHAME ON YOU! Hope you never have to face an ordeal like Adam has. He’s had more put on him that most adults have to deal with in a lifetime. Where is your heart? SHAME SHAME SHAME!!!
wow is right,are you for real?
Kendallalyia: Seriously???? Wow is definitely right. What goes around comes around. You are truly cold and heartless. This boy is an inspiration and I would hope you never have to know the pain he has endured!
NO he isn’t the only one to play without all his limbs, but the question here is would you play like that if the shoe were on the other foot? Good going Adam show that Kendall guy what you are made of, self pity for sure not. Great
In reguards to Kendallalyias coment
I am guessing your a male ?
There is A couple of things that I would like
to cut off for you , and see what you think
of that!you jerk!!!!!!!
And if your female well, we can still help
you see the light on missing things.
If you dont give a dam,what are you doing here anyway ?
Sometimes we are too busy with life that we forget what life is all about. Adam’s story brings senses back to me. Thanks God of what you have because sometimes you think you have it bad, someone else has it worst.
In response to the crude and rude comments from Kendallalyia Polvshenavkopf above, if you don’t have anything nice to say, keep your rude thoughts to yourself. In my opinion, the world would be a lot better off with fewer people such as yourself. I for one think that Adam’s accomplishments are a “big deal”! Keep up the great work Adam!
Good article, Thanks. my name Philip.
Every coach should open the season by showing this clip.
The message to everyone playing this game – You’re a winner if you try!!!!
I showed this to my players and there wasn’t a sound at practice…They worked harder at practice today than they had ever done…..
This young man has made a “forever” impression on my 18 ballplayers…
Thank you.
Coach Dixon
Cal City High
Adam,
You are a true inspiration to others, words like ” true grit “, courage, heart, desire, describe your ability to overcome any obstacle that comes your way…..God Bless You Adam Bender…..I hope you accomplish everything you ever strive for in life….You are an amazing gifted young man!
My son has been a catcher since he was 8 years old all the way thru high school. This kid is amazing! I know how hard that position is for any kid behind the plate.
What an inspiration. Nothing is impossible with hard work and passion for the game.
THAT IS AMAZING! KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
GOD BLESS YOU
wow, as an above the knee amputee myself, i am now going to have to get off my rear end. what a inspiration he is,
dude great job!!!!!!! i wouldnt have your talent in a million years! your a brave little boy!!! good job!!!!!!!!!!! if you keep doin what your doing dude youlll make history someday!!!!!!! you will be some lilttle boys hero!!! they will look up to you and think anything is possible just because you id it
good job adam!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
Adam you are remarkable.The Lord has certainly Blessed you.You are a shining Star.
UNBELIEVABLE! This kid brought tears to my eyes! What a sport! He’s so talented –I am not going to say he is talented for only having one leg… he’s talented period! God Bless him!
God has blessed you Adam. The future is so bright for you. Keep the faith and keep on pushing foward.
Adam, Real proud of you!
muchas felicidades porque tuya sera la vida. Asi deberiamos ser todos,
hacer de la vida o los fracasos una manera alegre de vivir, sin que nos compliquemos, ser felices con lo que tenemos.
TE ADMIRO
EWWW GROSS LEG
You are a fool
The kid can play
Adam ,
Keep doing your thing !!
Wow! Adam – not only can you play, you are an inspiration!!!!
Keep on doing your thing, pal. You can do absolutely anything you want to.
This is for Kendallalyia Polvshenavkopf: You should be ashamed of yourself for that terrible comment about Adam Bender. I praise him for being a normal little boy. Good For You Adam !!!!
May God continue to bless and use Adam to show us that only yourself holds you back from doing whatever it is you really want to do. Adam, I pray that God’s favor reign on your life in whatever and wherever you go. God Bless.
Tenek, from Hayti, MO
The sky is the limit for ADAM Bender. Thanks to the Parents for the encouragement, Shows theres no limit when theres a will
Great story! I really enjoyed that you just let the camera roll and didn’t have anyinterviews… The kid spoke all he needed to in how he played. Very nice.
Ben Morrison
Photo Editor
The Allentown Morning Call Pa
Too cool! That’s baseball at it’s best!
I live in a school district that the parents are so competitive that it makes me sick. They think that every game is the world series. They should watch the heart of a child like Adam and remember that some kids just want to play baseball, and boy can he play. I would rather my son played with eight other Adam’s on his team than some of the kids he does play with.
You are an inspiration to us all, keep up your hard work,
my goodness you are amazing if only everyone knew how you suffer, you rock, and god bless you!
Adam doesn’t have a handicap. At least not in his eyes. It’s us viewers that have the handicap. Life is always worth living, and those of us who choose to really live, are the ones that break barriers and open the rest of our eyes.
Thank you for the reminder of how petty I can be at times! The video brings a sense of inspiration and strength. We should all take that sort of personal responsibility and achieve all we can for ourselves. I think America is caught up in a vicious cycle of blame for lack of effort. Adam, however, chooses to use his energy for good. God Bless you Adam!!!
Awesome! God puts it in us and we pull it out. Adam is an ordinary kid doing and extraordinary job.
This reminds me of a young friend who died of cancer and was an outstanding baseball player in High School and college. He only made it through his first year of college, but he was a star and still his. We love you Brian Meehan. I’ll bet you are Playing ball in heaven.
So go Alex!! Love your life.
As for the the person that made the insensitive remarks. I think you are in pain and need someone to believe in you. You deserve as much love and hope and inspiration as everyone does. I hope for you to find it.
Adam is truly a phenomenal young man. He should make all of us who sit around and say “Poor me! and gripe and complain, really ashamed of ourselves. He is truly an inspiration. God has already blessed you, Adam, with grit and determination. May He continue to do so.
ESTE NIÑO ES UNA GRAN INSPIRACION Y EJEMPLO PARA LOS QUE ESTAMOS SANOS, QUE DIOS BENDIGA SIEMPRE A ADAM BENDER, SALUDOS
ADAM BENDER ES UN GRAN EJEMPLO PARA TODOS LOS QUE ESTAMOS VIVOS, DIOS LOBENDIGA SIEMPRE, SALUDOS
GO ADAM!!!!