Miracle League Spring Games - 2025

 

Future Athlete: Becky

Becky is 40 years old and has Lawrence moon syndrome.  She has a guide dog named, Max. 

She is blind, so her guide dog helps her get out in the community, she could not do the things she does now with his assistance. She LOVES Special Olympics, she participates in bowling, bocce, softball throw, and the 100 meter walk.  She is now swimming at the YMCA in a program where she is averaging 36 laps twice a week.  She includes Max in everything and he watches her very closely.

She is a go getter and extremely excited about Miracle Park and can’t wait until it opens up!  She wants to be one of the first people to get to explore and use the equipment there.  She is helping gather and sort lids to help build recycled benches at the park!  Please turn yours in by June 15 if you have some.  

She is always ready to meet new friends and is a pleasure to talk with and impresses people with her kindness and how knowledgeable she is!

Overcoming Obstacles with a Smile!

Alana Fincher and her family that supported her in her mile walk around Manchester Meadows.  She raised $1,000 in sponsorships, during her journey to walk, for the Miracle Park!  What a miracle!

Friends and family have sponsored Alana Kai-Ann Fincher, 8-years old, raising $1,000 in sponsorships to encourage her to accomplish her goal of walking all the way around Manchester Meadows (1 mile)!  

Alana was born with hydrocephalus and hypotonia - which affects her muscle control, ability to perform certain day to day tasks without assistance, and delays development, which affected her ability to speak or walk.  She was over a year old before she could sit up (she never crawled because her arms and legs were not strong enough).  As a determined little girl, she started to walk on her own when she was three years old, she was using ankle braces and specially made orthopedic shoes since she was a baby due to a hip and leg curvature. Then, she started talking (without singing)  when she was four!   

She had a set back in walking a couple years ago with an ankle injury, but that didn't hold back this determined girl, now, with a bright smile on her face she is walking over a mile at a time!  "She has had, and continues to have, such great support from family, Unique Pathways in Rock Hill Schools, in home aide supports, physical, occupational, and speech therapists, Bright Starts, and more!" - Wanda Fincher, proud Grandma, says thankfully.

Alana, an 8 year-old student at Finley Road Elementary School, and her PawPaw have walked almost everyday the past year with the goal to walk all the way around the soccer fields at Manchester, and this week, she did it!

"Her progress was initially slow, but has really progressed exponentially over the past two years." - says Wanda, who serves as her in home aide support.  A year ago she could walk about 20 yards at a time, now after working hard she can walk over a mile!   "Each night I (PawPaw) come home, she pulls me out the door ready for an evening walk around the neighborhood." - Says Bobby Fincher, her Grandfather.

I had the opportunity to walk this celebratory mile with Alana, her Grandma, PawPaw and brother and the inspiration is powerful!  Once you set your mind to something, and have someone to support you along the way, you can do anything!

Alana has told me that once the "new park" opens she will walk around that park with me too!  I know there are more stories like Alana's out there and I can't wait to see them accomplished at the Miracle Park - because miracles happen everyday! 

Share your miracle story in the comments below or email us at rockhillmiraclepark@gmail.com.

Alana runs to the finish line at Manchester Meadows after walking a mile around the park.  Just one year ago she could only walk about 20 yards at a time. 

 

Buddy AND Future Athletes!

My name is Emma Sessions. I’ll be a 6th grader at Sullivan Middle School this year and I’m very excited about Miracle Park! The park is a big deal for our family for one because it’s so close to our house and two, because I have two little brothers with special needs. I’m looking forward to volunteering as a buddy to help my brothers learn to play sports (both are future Miracle Park athletes). 

With the help of the park, my brothers can learn about teamwork and friendship with others. I think it’s very important how people have collaborated to plan an amazing park for kids of all abilities.

Featured Future Miracle Park Athlete - Tristan

Hi! My name is Tristan, and I am three years old. I had a neuroblastoma with resulting delays but that doesn’t stop me from doing my best and playing my heart out! 

I love the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC- 90’s music rocks! I also love Paw Patrol, Scooby Doo, and riding in my new blue sports car wagon. 

I am excited about Miracle Park coming to my town. I can’t wait to hold a ball and strengthen my sports skills. I love playing basketball with my dog, Dodger and my EI- who is also a great “bubble blower”. 

Miracle Park will be a great place for me to play outdoors, grow and spend time with my parents.

There are so many kids like Tristan that will benefit from this park, it will have the adaptations he needs, but want separate him from his peers, they can play alongside him no matter what their abilities are!  Can you help support this park so Tristan and his friends can have a safe place to come play outside together?  www.miracleparkrockhill.com 

Featured Future Miracle Park Athlete- Phillip

I am Phillip and have lived in this community my whole life. I am looking forward to Miracle Park coming to town. I love sports and being outdoors. A Miracle League will be a great addition to my life! 

I have Autism- sometimes community places with lots of noise and activity can be a little overwhelming for me. 

At Miracle Park, I can visit with family, participate in a Miracle League with friends I already have while making new ones. If I need a break- there will be designated quiet places for me to go to calm for a little while and specific sensory-friendly areas as well. Knowing this gives me confidence that I can participate in more activities than I might have tried otherwise. 

So excited to have this new option available to me and to others!

Please join in others to help us raise money for Phillip and his friends no matter what their ability to have a park to play! 

Donate online today!

A Park for ALL...yes you!

This REALLY a park for ALL (yes YOU)...We've explained how important it is to remove barriers for those with special needs and mobility issues, and we've often said it will be a park for ALL! We really mean that....Keep reading to hear how we've designed the park for everyone and what sports will be programmed at the park Spring 2021!!

    Miracle Park is an inclusive park, so we have made special efforts to look at all parts of the park with a focus on accessibility for those with different abilities. We have featured future athletes who need these accommodations because too often these folks are excluded in our society (both intentionally and unintentionally), or are an afterthought when places are built since most buildings and parks are constructed to MINIMUM accessibility requirements, which are still inaccessible to some. Because of this, we have showcased the aspects of our park that set us apart from other parks due to our Universal Design. 

Universal Design | Progressive AE

HOWEVER, we want to be sure to reiterate that this is not a "special needs park;" that defeats the purpose of it being inclusive!  

We want EVERYONE to come visit and play at Miracle Park. Our state of the art playground does have special pieces that have been designed so that people with many different needs can play. However, we also have traditional swings, slides, and zip lines for typically developing 

folks. The walking trails and air resistance strength training equipment will be great for adults and seniors looking to stay in shape while listening to the laughter of children.  

We want to create a space where everyone can play TOGETHER!  

The fields will host activities for ALL. We will have one traditional field on which Rock Hill Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Department will continue to schedule Little League and softball games.  We will have multi-purpose fields for flag football, baseball, basketball, soccer, and more. Until those fields are finished, we can use the Miracle field for these sports when it's not softball/baseball season. ALL Miracle League games will have buddies, which are typically developing peers who partner with a friend with different abilities.

Speaking of buddies, Jayden Carroll and Brodie Kennedy from Northwestern High School have told their stories about being a buddy already, they are looking forward to the opening of Miracle Park so that they will finally have a place outside of school to hang out with ALL of their friends! 

We will also have a shelter at the playground and areas near the concession stand where you can host birthday parties for ALL of your friends without wondering if someone can get there due to mobility needs. Miracle Park will truly be a park for ALL!  

Please consider how the park will benefit your friends and family, and if you can, DONATE to help ensure all of Phase 1 is constructed by the end of this year!

Featured Future Miracle Park Athlete - Brooke

My name is Brooke Craig.  Growing up I played on basketball, volleyball, and softball teams.  My all-time favorite was softball because I was the pitcher.  

On January 24, 2013, when I was 17, I was in a car accident, and now I use a wheelchair.   I am now 25 and that has not stopped me from living my best life.   I am looking forward to Miracle Park so I can play on a field that my chair will freely move on.  

I hope to be the pitcher of a team again very soon!  I am also looking forward to playing on a team with all of my friends and my sister Brittany beside me.

Miracle Park is giving folks like Brooke a second chance at the things they love, can you help fund this park by donating today? 

Featured Future Miracle Park Athlete - Tina

My name is Tina Cook.  I am 35 years old, and I like to swim, bowl and play bocce.   I am excited for Miracle Park to open so I can play on the playground and on a sports team.  When I was little, I watched my brother play on sports teams with his friends, and I always wanted to do that too.  Now I will be able to play on a team with my friends.  AND……I can have my fans cheering for me in the crowd!

Can you help us support Tina and all others excited to be at this park?  Do to unseen hurdles associated with stay-at-home orders our fundraising has be effected tremendously!  We need $2,000,000 to be able to build out all of Phase 1 like we want to, which means we need your help and commitment.  Go to www.miracleparkrockhill.com to find out how you can help. 

Featured Future Miracle Park Athlete - Emily

My name is Emily Saverance; I am 34 years old, and I LOVE sports!  I have played on golf teams, soccer teams, bowling teams, bocce teams and swim teams.  I have competed at the local, state, national, and world levels for swimming and bowling.  I am looking forward to the sports that will be played at Miracle Park, but I am really excited that they will be hiring people with disabilities to work there.  I am a hard worker and worked at a bakery for over 10 years until they closed down.  I hope to be hired there so I can earn my own money, be independent and work with people in our community.

We still need $4,000,000 to complete phases 2 and 3 of the park, can you support the park today?  www.miracleparkrockhill.com 

Featured Future Miracle Park Athlete - Ke'Avian

I am Ke’Avian, and I am three years old. I go to school in York, and I love to eat, laugh and play ball. I love to be outdoors and like to hear the birds sing. I am working on my balance, sitting and standing now. My Mom, Dad and Grandma are excited that we can go to Miracle Park- where I can play on any playground equipment I want to. The Miracle Park will give me a chance to exercise, make new friends, try new physical activities- all while being outside. My family is excited about a special park coming to our community- for me.

Featured Future Miracle Park Athlete: Jim

Hi- I am Jim, a Rock Hill native, and I am 71 years young. I am retired from Springs after 38 years of working there- not many folks can say they worked at one place for 38 years! These days I love to have good conversation, watch westerns on TV,  and walk every day to stay healthy. I now live with friends and we are all excited about Miracle Park coming to our community. Miracle Park is great for me as I get older. There won’t be hills or hazards that could risk my health. There will also be equipment that will help me stay mentally and physically fit! I am looking forward to taking my daily walks with friends at a senior friendly fully accessible park.  I have a heart for Miracle Park!

Can you help Jim and other athletes play sports at this park? Please donate today, we still need $4,000,000 to complete all phases. https://www.miracleparkrockhill.com/donations

Featured Future Athlete- Charlie

Hi! I'm Charlie. 

I'm 5 years old and excited to start Kindergarten in the fall! An inclusive playground opened near my house awhile ago and it is my FAVORITE place on earth. I have Down syndrome and need a little help to do the same things my typical buddies get to enjoy. Because of this playground, I get to have fun alongside typical kids! I watch them and learn from them, and they are encouraged by me, too! One new friend gave me the courage to climb up a steep ladder for the very first time without any help from my mom! I used to be afraid of slides, but this inclusive place instantly gave me the confidence I needed! That's why Miracle Park is so important to me and my family. Nothing on this scale exists in our area today. Miracles really will happen here as kids and adults of all abilities learn and play together. I can't wait to see you there and give you a big high five!

Love,

Charlie

This week's featured Future MP Athlete!

Hey everyone,

We thought you all could use something fun to brighten this cloudy, cool day!  New to the blog: each week we will feature a "Future MP Athlete."  You might recognize this cutie from our website and marketing materials.... Introducing GRAYSON!

BIO:

Hi, I'm Grayson! I am 7 years old and one of three siblings. My family and I are very excited about Miracle Park! The park represents so much I hold near and dear to my heart. My love for the outdoors, playing recreational sports, and learning and playing alongside individuals of ALL abilities! There are many things I can do independently, but I also get a ton of motivation to attempt new things and push myself more when working and playing alongside others! Thank you for bringing this park to                                                               our community!

A few things unique to me are:

• My favorite color is Red
• I am in the First Grade
• I love my Teachers and School
• I rock an Extra Chromosome
• I have twin 5 year old siblings (Nora and Nicholas)
• I love music especially Kidz Bop Kids
• I always root for the New England Patriots (per Daddy)
• My favorite restaurant is Chick fil-A
• I love Dogs
• I also love Horseback Riding
• Swimming is my favorite summer activity