Feinberg
Northwestern Medicine | Northwestern University | Faculty Profiles

News Center

  • Categories
    • Campus News
    • Disease Discoveries
    • Clinical Breakthroughs
    • Education News
    • Scientific Advances
  • Press Releases
  • Media Coverage
  • Podcasts
  • Editor’s Picks
    • COVID-19
    • Cardiology
    • Cancer
    • Neurology and Neuroscience
    • Aging and Longevity
    • Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
  • News Archives
  • About Us
    • Media Contact
    • Share Your News
    • News Feeds
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
Menu
  • Categories
    • Campus News
    • Disease Discoveries
    • Clinical Breakthroughs
    • Education News
    • Scientific Advances
  • Press Releases
  • Media Coverage
  • Podcasts
  • Editor’s Picks
    • COVID-19
    • Cardiology
    • Cancer
    • Neurology and Neuroscience
    • Aging and Longevity
    • Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
  • News Archives
  • About Us
    • Media Contact
    • Share Your News
    • News Feeds
    • Social Media
    • Contact Us
Home » Ophthalmologist Is A Visionary For Special Kids
Uncategorized

Ophthalmologist Is A Visionary For Special Kids

By medwebJul 1, 2007
Share
Facebook Twitter Email

Ophthalmologist Is A Visionary for Special Kids

David Palmer, MD, assistant professor of clinical ophthalmology at the Feinberg School, is making an effort to do something about the fact that children with cognitive disabilities don’t have much access to team sports.

In 2003 he organized the Slammers baseball team to provide a sports outlet for his daughter, Rachael, and other children with cognitive impairments. With the help of another parent of a child with cognitive disabilities, he gathered 20 children to participate, all recruited by word of mouth. After a Chicago television segment on the team, the number jumped to 37. “After the TV piece we learned from people around the country that this type of team was rare,” he says. “We hope that it will be a template for other communities.”

Dr. Palmer’s hometown has embraced the team. Teen players from the local baseball association and area residents—adults and children alike—mentor the players on the Slammers team, telling them when to swing the bat, running the bases with them, and offering a steady stream of encouragement. In fact, so many people are on the field at once that keeping track of the game can sometimes be a challenge. No matter. The play is relaxed and in keeping with the individual abilities of the players, in the hopes that some of them will qualify for mainstream teams by the end of the season. This is practice for the “big leagues,” so to speak. Scores aren’t kept. Everyone plays, and everyone benefits. Parents cheer. Grandparents snap photos. High fives abound.

“Several of the players are autistic. Playing on the team helps improve their social skills, self-esteem, and communication abilities,” notes Dr. Palmer. “Some of the kids have really come out of their shells.” For parents, the team offers a valuable network, and new friendships have blossomed among them.

Every year the Slammers attend a major league baseball event, this year a Chicago White Sox game. They also have a yearly picnic where trophies and other awards are given. “We treat it just like a house league so that if they go mainstream, it won’t be that different,” Dr. Palmer stresses.

Regardless of whether they join mainstream teams, the players have a good time, become more fit, and learn about group dynamics. “They are eager to play,” adds Dr. Palmer. “Some of them are dressed in their uniforms and ready at 9 a.m.” Games start at 3 p.m.

For more information on the Slammers baseball team—or their basketball team offered during the winter months—visit www.slammerssports.org.

Share. Facebook Twitter Email

Related Posts

Mar 29, 2023

Adolescent Sexual Health Program Receives Funding for Social Marketing Campaign

Mar 29, 2023

Lurie Cancer Center Receives Merit Extension from NCI

Oct 20, 2021

Drug Combination May Reduce Risk of Leukemia Relapse

Mar 26, 2020

Comments are closed.

Latest News

Coaxing Hair Growth in Aging Hair Follicle Stem Cells

Jun 9, 2023

New Therapeutic Target for Osteoarthritis Identified 

Jun 9, 2023

Largest Cell Map of Human Lung Reveals Insights Into Disease

Jun 8, 2023

McNally Honored with Walder Award

Jun 8, 2023

Biological Aging Increases Risk of Depression, Anxiety in Adults 

Jun 7, 2023
  • News Center Home
  • Categories
  • Press Release
  • Media Coverage
  • Editor’s Picks
  • News Archives
  • About Us
Flickr Photos
ANB05555
ANB08990
ANB09022
ANB09063
ANB09008
ANB08781
ANB08971
ANB09000
ANB08992
ANB09015
ANB09058
ANB09048

Northwestern University logo

Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine

RSS Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Flickr YouTube Instagram
Copyright © 2023 Northwestern University
  • Contact Northwestern University
  • Disclaimer
  • Campus Emergency Information
  • Policy Statements

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.