“I tell other kids with disabilities that it takes time and patience, and it’s the little things that truly mean the most. The little things will lead to big things.”
When Bryan was born, he was diagnosed with right hemiparesis cerebral palsy, meaning he has slight paralysis or weakness that affects the right side of his body. At nine months old, Bryan’s parents sought out outpatient therapy to help improve the function and muscles on his right side. That’s when his journey with Children’s Specialized Hospital (CSH) began.
Now, at 33 years old, Bryan reflects on his time at CSH and how it has helped him get to where he is today.
Outpatient Pediatric Physiatry at Children’s Specialized Hospital
Bryan started outpatient pediatric physiatry, working closely with now-retired Dr. Martin Diamond, along with the physical therapy team and his family to improve function. “They taught me many things and worked with me and my parents to help me succeed. I knew therapy was going to be hard, but Dr. Diamond always said, “It takes time and patience. You’ll be even more successful in the long run,” recalled Bryan. “I remember one session, we were working on picking up silverware, plates, and a glass of water with my right side. I was annoyed and frustrated because I couldn’t pick up the glass, but I just kept thinking back to how it takes time and patience, and success will not come overnight. Now, I’m able to do so many more things.”
Practice Makes Perfect
When Bryan was 6 years old, he watched a New York Yankees game and noticed the pitcher, Jim Abbott, catching and throwing with the same hand. “I told my father, I want to try. I want to do that,” exclaimed Bryan. “My parents were skeptical at first, but they went to my next therapy session and asked if sports were in my future. Dr. Diamond said, “Why not? Let’s see how it goes.” That’s when Bryan started dedicating his time to learning how to play baseball with a disability.
“During my therapy sessions, we experimented to see what would work. So, I got a baseball glove, and we started practicing with a Wiffle ball. Then we moved to a tennis ball, a T-ball, and finally a baseball. You learn from failure, so it really helped me understand how I can better myself,” stated Bryan.
“It took me two years to learn to catch and throw with the same hand. I wanted to give up because it was draining and frustrating but I stuck it out and played baseball throughout college. I got a black eye from being hit with the baseball once, and I didn’t make my catholic school’s freshmen high school baseball team. Not making the team was a failure that changed my life and how I thought. I knew I was going to prove everyone wrong. During my senior year of high school, Jim Abbott actually called me and we spoke about our experiences playing baseball with a disability and how both of us overcame different challenges that we faced while playing the game.”
Bryan continued to motivate himself and work hard to enhance his baseball skills. “I transferred to Paramus High School freshman year, where I started getting up early every morning to go to the gym with my dad, then school, baseball practice, and homework,” highlighted Bryan. He played on the baseball team all four years and had an impressive 81 mph fastball. Bryan received multiple awards including the Athlete of the year for 2009, the Bergen County Disability Award, and the Stephen White Little League award for his determination and sportsmanship. He was even honored with the Mass Mutual Disability award at Yankees Stadium Disability Awareness Night. After high school, Bryan moved to the collegiate level, played on the Ramapo College baseball team, and earned a bachelor’s degree in business marketing. He then attended graduate school at New Jersey City University, receiving a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Where is Bryan now?
Today, Bryan is a Client Services Representative at an insurance company and still shows his love for the game through coaching. He is a former baseball coach at Paramus High School and now the coach of the BaseAble/Special Olympics Baseball team. “I always tell people, especially kids with disabilities, to try something, whether it’s in sports or music; they just need to try,” highlighted Bryan.
“Having a disability and now coaching the BaseAble/Special Olympics was an amazing experience. Because I got to see the sport that I love make kids with disabilities feel special. I saw their different personalities shine, smiles, fun, cheering for each other, and most importantly, their being themselves and feeling appreciated and accepted. To be given the opportunity to play baseball is truly amazing for them. Baseball brings kids together and it is like a family.”
Bryan always remembers his time at Children’s Specialized Hospital, where he learned the importance of time and patience. “I tell other kids with disabilities that it takes time and patience, and it’s the little things that truly mean the most. The little things will lead to big things.”
Learn more about Children’s Specialized Hospital’s pediatric physiatry services.