Dear Jose,
My name is Taylor Duncan, I'm 16 years old from Atlanta, Georgia, and I have autism. Diagnosed with autism in 1999, the doctors said I would never ever be able to recover and would always be severe with the disability, but 5 years later, I proved them wrong...I'd like to take this message to tell you that you're one of my biggest inspirations, guys like you and Randy Johnson, have gotten me into the sport of baseball, and I've been a die-hard fan of yours for over a decade. I can't believe you could hit a home run that was over 500 feet. That's phenominal, steroids used or not...Wow...You've inspired me to play baseball...I played in 2008 in Little League, and did unbelievably well. Coach said I was the hardest-working and most improved player on the team...even banked more RBIs than the best player on the team...I proved those bullies wrong that made me depressed. Then in 2009, it came crashing down when I got injured and treated like garbage by the new coach. It was possibly one of the worst experiences of my life...In 2011, I started training for a possible softball/baseball return in 2012, but that came crashing down too when I got the news I had a cataract in my right eye. Doctors and my parents did not think I would ever be able to play again, as my vision would never be the same...God did me a favor and after I got my new lens, the doctor said it would be a 20/40, but the one month post-op, the doctor said it was a 20/20 perfect vision...I was never more proud, and he said, "Yep, you're good to go"...Ever since then, I've dropped my depression, I've dropped 25 pounds and plan to lose some more by this August, I'm doing very well, and couldn't be any more happier. I plan on playing in a rec softball tournament this August for charity, it's a benefit tournament that would give money to let kids and I believe adults too play sports recreationally...It's an awesome cause in my opinion. Nobody in my opinion deserves to be depressed with the excuse "I have no money"....They need to have fun. I want to prove the naysayers who say that I can't do this, or I'm delusional...I know it's a bit crazy to tell you this, but I plan on leading a team to a tournament win this August in Powder Springs, Georgia. Can you by chance be on my team this August? It would be an honor to have you here...I would do virtually anything to get to see you play again, and it would be a dream come true for me to play on the same team as you...Thank you for reading this message, it means a lot to me... Guys and gals, let's sign the petition, let's show him how much Atlanta wants him here! :) Hugs for you!! LOL
I have been sending out emails and leaving messages to try and make this event happen but the lack of any real response is getting draining. It is hard to keep pushing when the silence from the other side is so heavy. I am not stopping though because this matters too much to just walk away.
June 12, 2012
Seeing this kind of traction is heavy and exhausting but it keeps me moving forward. I am tired of the silence from those who should be paying attention. We are not turning back now.
3 Comments
D
Dave Wilkinson
14 years ago
Featured
BRING HIM TO GA!!!!
S
Sarah Reeves
14 years ago
Featured
Taylor you have such an amazing story. Jose needs to see this and come play for you!
M
Mike Whitaker
14 years ago
Featured
This would be so cool for Atlanta. Jose is a legend no matter what anyone says. Come on down here!
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Status: Closed — this petition is no longer accepting signatures.
Dear Jose,
My name is Taylor Duncan, I'm 16 years old from Atlanta, Georgia, and I have autism. Diagnosed with autism in 1999, the doctors said I would never ever be able to recover and would always be severe with the disability, but 5 years later, I proved them wrong...I'd like to take this message to tell you that you're one of my biggest inspirations, guys like you and Randy Johnson, have gotten me into the sport of baseball, and I've been a die-hard fan of yours for over a decade. I can't believe you could hit a home run that was over 500 feet. That's phenominal, steroids used or not...Wow...You've inspired me to play baseball...I played in 2008 in Little League, and did unbelievably well. Coach said I was the hardest-working and most improved player on the team...even banked more RBIs than the best player on the team...I proved those bullies wrong that made me depressed. Then in 2009, it came crashing down when I got injured and treated like garbage by the new coach. It was possibly one of the worst experiences of my life...In 2011, I started training for a possible softball/baseball return in 2012, but that came crashing down too when I got the news I had a cataract in my right eye. Doctors and my parents did not think I would ever be able to play again, as my vision would never be the same...God did me a favor and after I got my new lens, the doctor said it would be a 20/40, but the one month post-op, the doctor said it was a 20/20 perfect vision...I was never more proud, and he said, "Yep, you're good to go"...Ever since then, I've dropped my depression, I've dropped 25 pounds and plan to lose some more by this August, I'm doing very well, and couldn't be any more happier. I plan on playing in a rec softball tournament this August for charity, it's a benefit tournament that would give money to let kids and I believe adults too play sports recreationally...It's an awesome cause in my opinion. Nobody in my opinion deserves to be depressed with the excuse "I have no money"....They need to have fun. I want to prove the naysayers who say that I can't do this, or I'm delusional...I know it's a bit crazy to tell you this, but I plan on leading a team to a tournament win this August in Powder Springs, Georgia. Can you by chance be on my team this August? It would be an honor to have you here...I would do virtually anything to get to see you play again, and it would be a dream come true for me to play on the same team as you...Thank you for reading this message, it means a lot to me... Guys and gals, let's sign the petition, let's show him how much Atlanta wants him here! :) Hugs for you!! LOL
I have been sending out emails and leaving messages to try and make this event happen but the lack of any real response is getting draining. It is hard to keep pushing when the silence from the other side is so heavy. I am not stopping though because this matters too much to just walk away.
June 12, 2012
Seeing this kind of traction is heavy and exhausting but it keeps me moving forward. I am tired of the silence from those who should be paying attention. We are not turning back now.
3 Comments
D
Dave Wilkinson
14 years ago
Featured
BRING HIM TO GA!!!!
S
Sarah Reeves
14 years ago
Featured
Taylor you have such an amazing story. Jose needs to see this and come play for you!
M
Mike Whitaker
14 years ago
Featured
This would be so cool for Atlanta. Jose is a legend no matter what anyone says. Come on down here!
BRING HIM TO GA!!!!