University of North Carolina Athletics
CAROLINA: Champions for Change
March 12, 2014 | Softball
Note: This article appeared in the March 11 issue of CAROLINA.
By Amy Hoots
"I get to keep it?!" Natalia Edwards Fouts squeals the question towards her parents, Elizabeth Fouts and Melanie Edwards. They chuckle and nod to assure their 11 year-old daughter that yes, the Carolina blue softball jersey presented by seniors Lori Spingola and Ashley Bone is hers to keep.
To those who don't know Natalia and are not aware of her condition, it may appear that she doesn't want to put on the No. 10 jersey, a throwback that Spingola wore her freshman year. An endearing display of raw emotion takes place at Anderson Field as Natalia has difficulty controlling her excitement. After a few minutes and a calm pep talk by her mom, Natalia is able to compose herself enough to put on the jersey.
It's Sunday, the morning of the final game in the series between UNC and Syracuse. More importantly, it's the opening day of Champions for Change, a program that seeks to provide support for individuals with disabilities and raise awareness within the community.
"I get to keep it?" Natalia asks again. Natalia is finally convinced that she'll be allowed to wear it now, in the car, and at home (but maybe not in bed), and she does a spontaneous dance to show her excitement. Her hand cinches the waist of her stuffed Goofy doll and he dances, too. He has no choice, really. His head has been bobbing vigorously all morning, a good indication that his keeper is enjoying herself. Goofy probably won't last much longer, Edwards explained. Natalia loves her dolls very hard, they disappear, and she moves on.
Goofy is in the grip of Natalia's right hand, so with her left, she grabs Spingola's hand and pulls her around the bases, roughing up the freshly chalked field. They take a second lap. It's three hours before Natalia will throw out the first pitch, and what began at Café Carolina with pregame breakfast is turning into a full softball game-day experience for Natalia and her family.
It's difficult to imagine the giggling girl running towards home plate was once a severely malnourished baby living in Russia. When Edwards and Fouts adopted her, Natalia was 17 months old and could not sit up without assistance. Born with a cleft lip and palate, she underwent surgery soon after arriving in Chapel Hill. Her parents were unsure what developmental challenges lay ahead, but with good nutrition and a loving environment, Natalia's condition improved quickly.
The road wasn't easy, and Natalia continues to be challenged by her autism spectrum disorder and verbal apraxia, which makes it difficult her to form understandable sentences. Early in Natalia's life, the family stayed home much of the time because leaving the familiarity of their house would be overwhelming to Natalia. Sounds like the hum of the refrigerator at the grocery store could cause Natalia to go into a frenzy.
But times have changed, and visits to the store are met with a new set of challenges. Her parents must determine how to best temper her love of bathroom fixtures and may have to drag her away from the bathroom department in the Home Depot. Meet Natalia on the street, and while she probably won't ask you your name, she may ask you whether your bathtub is made of fiberglass or ceramic.
The idea for Champions for Change was born in November 2013. As the community outreach representative for the softball team, Bone suggested to her teammates that they visit the Miracle League, an organization that helps children with special needs play baseball. Bone is studying to become an occupational therapist and loves working with special-needs children. She had plans to volunteer with the Miracle League on her own, but thought it made sense to bring her team along.
The inspired Carolina softball team that walked out of the Miracle League was a changed team from the one that went in. "We couldn't stop telling stories about playing softball with the kids and their families. The love and joy that the children shared with us was indescribable," said Spingola.
The Tar Heel pitcher was so moved, she went to Bone with an idea. What would happen if the softball team hosted families with disabilities? Champions for Change was born. "I really have a passion for helping children with physical and mental disabilities, especially in the sporting world, so Lori approaching me about this really was the perfect matchup," Bone said.
The seniors knew creating a program from the ground up was no small task. After getting approval from head coach Donna Papa, the two met with Cricket Lane and other individuals from the Carolina Leadership Academy. They approached the Miracle League about forming a relationship, but an existing partnership with the Carolina Mudcats prevented them from getting on board with Champions for Change.
Undeterred, Spingola and Bone approached the Arc of Orange County, which provides assistance to local residents with disabilities. The Arc has helped Spingola and Bone connect the softball team with families who could benefit from Champions for Change.
The partnership with the Arc has proven successful, as has the partnership between the two teammates. Spingola and Bone are both pitchers, but each has a distinct skill set which has helped Champions for Change become more than just a good idea.
With her previous experience helping disabled individuals, Bone knew the types of challenges they may encounter. She is in charge of selecting and communicating with the families involved, as well as much of the game-day preparations. Spingola has used her background in public relations to get the word out in the community. She has created a website (championsforchange.net) and is using various types of social media such as Facebook, Instagram (Champions4Change), and Twitter (@champs_4_change) to promote the program.
Spingola and Bone want this program to go beyond just the softball team and, with the help of Carolina Outreach, other student-athletes have gotten involved. As the softball team warmed up for the game, Natalia and her family walked to the practice field where a group of student-athletes waited with bats, balls, and various outdoor games. Gymnast Kristen Aloi blew bubbles with Natalia. Natalia's 2 year-old-sister Evie abandoned her pink bear that she clung to tightly earlier in the day. Her boisterous giggles filled the air as she and junior lacrosse player Courtney Waite hid under a parachute.
In order to prepare for her moment in the spotlight, the student-athletes encouraged Natalie to take some practice throws. Junior golfer Maia Schechter acted as catcher behind home plate. It was unknown whether Natalia would feel up to throwing the pitch in front of a stadium full of people. Of course, it didn't matter either way, and before the day began, Bone made sure that was clear.
"The whole premise behind Champions for Change is not only for the disabled individual themselves, but also for their families and their caregivers because it's a unit," Bone said. "It's all about the inclusion of the family unit."
Natalia did throw out the first pitch. Sweeping Syracuse and securing the third win in two days was exciting for the Carolina softball team, but for Bone, watching Natalie pitch was her favorite part of the day. Bone understands the physical and mental challenges Natalia faces each day and was moved by Natalia's ability to overcome old fears. "Her being able to go out on the mound and not be afraid to throw it in front of the crowd...it's emotional."
In the first inning, Jenna Kelly hit Carolina's first home run of the afternoon. Natalia didn't see it. She was occupied in the grassy area of the stadium's concourse, sifting through the gift bag that Bone handed her after she successfully threw out the first pitch. She was drawn to the Carolina blue t-shirts and held them up for several minutes.
Champions for Change's objective of including the family was on display as Natalia handed the shirts out to her parents and her sister.
The stat line will tell you that Carolina hit four home runs in their final win against Syracuse. Sometimes box scores lie. Natalia, along with her family, left Anderson Park with smiles on their faces. The Carolina softball team hit five home runs that day.
