The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Six-year-old Jared Carter loves to play T-ball, but the only difference between him and his teammates is while they run around bases, he rolls by them in a wheelchair. Jared is in one because he was born with Spina Bifida. According to the Spina Bifida Association, it is a neural tube defect that happens in the first month of pregnancy when the spinal column doesn't close completely. Because of that, Jared is paralyzed from the hips down. Just because the Denare Beach resident is in this situation, that doesn't stop him from being happy. "He's quite positive. He can pretty much do anything," said mother, Brenda. When he plays T-ball, Jared loves stepping up to the plate. "I like batting," Jared said. "That's his favourite," Brenda said. Jared and his mother found out about T-Ball through a friend and Jared decided he wanted to play. On this day, Jared gets a solid hit and his mom helps him get to first, but he also gets around the base pads with his own arm strength. He flexes his muscles to show how strong they are. Because Jared also goes to swimming practice, he's always late for T-ball. Not only does Jared enjoy those sports, he likes soccer and loves watching hockey Ð though he's only caught some of the Oilers action. For his mother, it's a treat to watch her son play. "I love it," replied Brenda. "I love watching him do the thing he enjoys. "I like him being able to be with other kids," she said with a smile.6/19/2006
