The Dream Team Foundation: Our Story

by Diana B. Knight

My son, Nicholas, at the age of three was diagnosed with epilepsy. At the age of 8, he was diagnosed with Lennox Gastraut Syndrome.  LGS is one of the most difficult forms of epilepsy to have and control.  He has three different types of seizures with only one of them being under control.  This very rare disorder causes mental cognitive delays. For those reasons, he was not able to take part in organized sports. He would see all the other children at the ball field and it would break his heart as well as mine.  The only way I could get him to understand why he could not participate was to tell him he was not old enough.  When he turned 12 years of age and still was asking when was it his turn, I felt it was time for me to make his dreams come true. I began searching for answers.  I finally was able to get some ideas of how we might be able to create a sports league for handicapped children.
 

The Lancaster Dream Team was formed in April 2007 with the help of the Lancaster County Parks and Recreation Department’s Director, Frank Overcash. Once we were in agreement, I began to look for a partner in this very large endeavor.  I did not have to look far. My friend of twenty years and a mother of a special needs child, Julie Barton, agreed that this would be a dream come true for her son, for mine, and for all those that took part. We began this process by meeting with teachers, school officials, and any person who would listen.  We sent out letters to over 500 children in the Lancaster County area to see if there was any interest.  The interest was overwhelming.

Because this program will be available to every mentally and/or physically handicapped child regardless of their financial situation and/or their disability, we were able to get support from individuals, local businesses, and community groups to provide a completely free program for the entire school year.  We began with fall tee-ball, winter basketball, spring soccer, and year-round cheerleading.  Our first year, we worked with over 100 children, and our goal is to increase that number with each year.
 

We are grateful to our volunteers, coaches, buddies, and all of our sponsors for helping to make our dreams for our children come true.  It is a wonderful sight to see a child receive his first ever medallion, a father watch his son get a home run, and to be at a place where your differences are not noticed but celebrated.  If you want to see a miracle, all you need to do is look into any of these children’s faces. 

We hope to see you at a game and LET’S PLAY BALL!