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Athletes with IBD should you tell the Coach?


Sun, July 08, 2012 7:16 PM

My son is 16 years old, he's had IBD for 7 yrs. he’s been playing travel baseball since 2005. Baseball is his life & escape from IBD, he loves it so much-he would get discharged from hospital & go to practice that night. This spring, his coach of 4 yrs. started coaching the _ Rams College baseball team. This coach benched my son for eating a slice of pizza in-between baseball games while others ate sandwiches. After the game, I reminded the coach of my son’s medical issue, which he is aware of. Coach said, "He didn’t care! He wanted a note from his Dr. about his eating. He also wanted my son to say sorry because he ate pizza." I called my son’s Dr., got the note. Once again my son was benched because he ate a pretzel, in-between games; meanwhile a teammate sitting next to him was eating the same kind of pretzel, & played in the next game. We gave the Coach, the Dr.’s note. Coach read it, spoke to the other coaches on the team, looked at my son, ripped up the Dr.’s note & threw it in the garbage. They laugh at my son & my husband, I knew this coach didn’t care for my son’s health, he would put my son’s life on endanger. 2 days later, coach called my husband & said my son is not the right-fielder anymore; he’s moving down from the 16U to the 15U team & not getting our money back. These kids already feel bad about having; being made fun of, now Coaches giving up because of a Dr.’s note & IBD. What do we do? Say? So these kids don't give up; keep their heads up & never stop believing anything is possible even with IBD?

FPO escicutella
Joined Jul 8, 2012

Tue, July 24, 2012 4:49 PM

 Reply posted for escicutella.

SERIOUSLY! Can someone be that ignorant.  My son's life/escape is baseball as well I guess we have been lucky in our coach as his aunt has crohns as well they have even made up a secret signal if there is a problem and he needs to get off the field, so coach can call a time out and sub someone in for him.  Lizzie's mom is right there must be someone that oversees or directs the league.  

FPO jmrogers4
Joined Nov 12, 2010

Mon, July 09, 2012 10:03 AM

 Reply posted for escicutella.

I would tell your son to hold his head high and maybe knock the coaches head off!    All kidding aside, I think you need to inform coach that he is violating your son's rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).    I always tell my children they need to learn by others, in this case the coach's ignorance!    It is unlawful.  I'm not certain if this league is run by his school, if not, there must be a commissioner in charge of the league that runs it.    Leave no stone unturned mom.........your son should NOT be penalized.   Who knows, he could be the next Jeter!      Be well, good luck!


Lizzies Mom 

FPO lizzies mom
Joined Sep 9, 2009

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