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Pitcher helps catcher feel at home GREENSBORO, NC — It’s not easy when you’re sidelined from the game you love. Nonetheless, rather than being discouraged by his situation, Major League Baseball pitcher Adam Wainwright chose to encourage others, including Aggies baseball catcher Eric Chiz. A shoulder surgery forced the junior at North Carolina A&T to sit out all of last season, and a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow will keep the student away from the mound another year. “It was something I didn’t understand …” Chiz told BPSports. Yet, the player found hope through Wainwright. The 6’7” all-star pitcher, who won 20 games last season for the St. Louis Cardinals, also recently tore his UCL. Just like Chiz, Wainwright had to undergo what’s known as “Tommy John surgery” to repair the ligament. Although he’s forced to miss all of the 2011 season, the 29-year-old remains positive by finding his identity in Jesus Christ. On Wainwright’s blog, the Brunswick, Georgia native believes that God is working good out of his hardship. “This injury, the one that makes me miss an entire year of baseball, has allowed me to stop missing what is right in front of me,” Wainwright, who accepted Christ at a Professional Athlete Outreach, said. “I am blessed with an amazing God … I’m blessed with an amazing family …,” the right-handed pitcher added. Chiz, who has never met the 2006 World Series winner, was greatly impacted by Wainwright’s statements and posted a comment that said, “When I saw that you had also injured your elbow I thought to myself if he can stay positive so can I …”
Wrestler a winner despite shocking loss BELVIDERE, IL — Losing a leg has definitely been a major adjustment, but it hasn’t taken away Eddie Avila’s optimistic outlook on life. On Jan. 12, the Belvidere North High Schooler’s leg was grabbed by a rival wrestler from Genoa Kingston High School in a legal move. The swift action broke the student’s femur and tibia, dislocated his knee, and ruptured an artery that could not be repaired. After numerous surgeries, doctors gave Avila’s parents some disturbing news. To save their son’s life, his leg would need to be amputated. “This is the new normal for me. I’m still normal; everything’s just going to be tweaked a little more,” Eddie told FOX Chicago News. When Genoa Kingston High School athletic director Dirk Campbell visited Avila in the hospital, he was surprised to discover how well the family was doing and how positive they were. “What we do is give it to the Lord, every each day and let His will be done, and that’s how we proceed on our days,” Adriana, Avila’s Mother, told FOX Chicago News. “Our faith is what gets us through, and no matter what happens, the Lord’s always there,” Mrs. Avila said and added, “We serve an amazing God, and we see miracles happen …” Once the community heard Eddie’s story, over $5,000 was raised to help the family pay medical bills.
Band’s beliefs behind giving back NASHVILLE, TN – Diamond Rio has more on their mind than music. For over a decade, the country band has been actively advocating for youth mentorship programs as the National Spokespersons and Ambassadors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Most recently, the musicians raised over $1.5 million for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee through golf tournaments and the Music City Marathon. To honour the group, the organization presented Diamond Rio with an award of recognition. “Big Brothers and Big Sisters is a no brainer for us. We’re grateful to have some ability to draw attention to good causes. This is … an investment in the future of this country in our young people,” lead singer Marty Roe told WKRN-TV. While many celebrities give back to their communities out of a desire to do what’s right, the country performers are motivated by something deeper — their relationship with God. This relationship is emphasized on their latest album The Reason, released September 2009. The record marks the band’s transition from mainstream country to Christian music, giving the band a chance to sing about what they believe. “There has always been a veil on [my] Christianity and the veil is off,” lead guitarist Jimmy Olander told Living Light News. Roe, who mentors youth at his church and cofounded an organization providing for widows and orphans, added, “ … we’re here to serve and glorify [God].” Before entering the Christian market, Diamond Rio had experienced major mainstream success. Since 1990, the band has sold more than 10 million albums, was named Vocal Group of the Year six times, received 13 Grammy nominations, and was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry. More newsbriefs are found in every issue of Living Light News. Subscribe today!
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