Tuesday Topic: Teddy Kremer, Batboy Extraordinaire
Teddy and the Cincinnati Reds
Teddy and Todd Frazier after Frazier’s Home Run
We know about Tim Harris and his Albuquerque restaurant, and about other amazing individuals with Down syndrome who reach for and achieve their dreams.
But do you know about Teddy Kremer? This is a guy who will warm your heart. And for me, it hit close to home: Teddy is from Cincinnati, where I raised my son Jonathan (28, DS). As I reached the end of watching the video, it dawned on me: as little tykes, Teddy and Jonathan got services (speech, medical, etc.) in the same building, and I sometimes ran into him and his mom Cheryl there. And look at Teddy now!
Batboy for A Night…and another night and…
After winning a chance to be “Batboy for a night,” Teddy’s joy so infected the team (they invited him back, and each time he’s been Batboy, the Reds have won) that they hired him. Teddy works in the Cincinnati Red’s Fan Accommodations Office, and I’m guessing he absolutely adores going to work.
Teddy’s story was first seen on ABC with Diane Sawyer: Teddy Kremer. There are other versions on YouTube as well, but best of all is this 11 minute clip, which is beyond awesome. In it, you’ll see that Teddy and his parents were also invited by the Speaker of the House John Boehner to attend President Obama’s State of the Union address. Which they did.
This clip is gold for all of us parents who have children with Down syndrome.
He Dances, Too
Teddy at home watching his beloved Reds
And toward the end of that clip, you’ll even see Teddy practicing a ballroom move with his teacher and my friend, Mary Cook. I met Mary nine years ago when I was her ballroom student in Cincinnati. Neither of us had any idea that we both had sons with Down syndrome when we met. We became fast friends, and Mary eventually formed a Ballroom dance class for adults with DS; they compete in their own “Dancing With The Stars” in Cincinnati, and have paired up with local celebrities, including the Chief of Police!
Watch the Clip!
With his infectious joy and goodwill, Teddy has truly “hit it out of the park” for himself, his family, and Down syndrome! Watch the 11-minute clip!
Joy and Goodwill!
And what makes me truly proud for Ted and about the Cincinnati Reds, the Reds stepped up to the plate ( ha ha) and hired Ted to work in Fan Accommodations. So Ted is truly a part of the organization that he loves and not just a public relations gimmick that they use a few times a year! Great job Ted and Cincinnati Reds! You make us proud!
You’re so right, Annie. And I think the picture with Teddy and Todd Frazier says it all.
Did you see that Topps, the company that makes baseball collector cards, also has made a card with him on it?! So exciting.
What an awesome thing to do! Thanks for telling me.