“Put me in coach!”

Life Lessons from Spencer Kimbro

by Ben Getz

Have you ever awakened for the day, thinking only of your problems, aches, pains, and what you won’t be able to do? As humans we often get caught up in negative thinking; self pity, and self limiting fears that actually tear us down physically and emotionally. Every once in a while there comes an opportunity to get that thinking turned around 180 degrees by others, some quite young, who remind us that attitude is everything, and it should be about what we can do, not what we think we cannot do.

One such person is Moses Lake’s Spencer Kimbro, a typical nine year old boy in so many aspects, and yet very non typical in how he faces some serious challenges on a daily basis and the empowering effect he has on almost everyone he meets. Having faced a series of life threatening conditions since before he was born, Spencer has lived his entire life so far without giving in to the thinking about what he ‘cannot do’. Born with Spina Bifida, he also has at least four other non related medical conditions that each have had their serious effects on him.

Now in his first year with the Moses Lake Youth Baseball Minor League Division team named the ‘Mariners’, Spencer has had the opportunity to play not only third base and shortstop, but also first base, though his favorite part of the game is hitting the ball and driving those runs in to home. He really enjoys being part of a team, and this is evident by the support of and camaraderie between him and his team mates. His mother Robin, a Moses Lake school teacher, relates that at first when he tried out in a huge group of kids there were stares and whispers, and some kids, being kids, made fun of him. As soon as he was placed on his team though, the bonds and positive social effects were quickly formed and prejudices erased.

If one of his team mates is not performing their best, Spencer is right there to cheer them on and build them up. The other players look at what he can do, with his win-win spirit, and it helps them realize they have no reason to feel bad about themselves. Players on opposing teams are even amazed at his determination and how his team pulls together, with his special ‘side kick’, his father Dan, serving as propulsion to keep Spencer’s catching and throwing arms free.

Visit with any of the parents along the side line whose children share the field with Spencer and they will use the adjectives awesome, super, and amazing many times. What stands out is not just what he accomplishes physically, but the powerful lesson in determination and inspiration he doles out without really knowing it or taking credit for. In many respects, he does not see himself as any different from his peers and does not ask for any special treatment, he simply knows he has to be ‘adaptable’ to be able to accomplish what he wants to do.

Spencer’s head coach is Ralph Gonzalez, who has been working with Moses Lake Little League for almost two decades, and even served as president for two of those years. As a busy husband and caring father of two, his pride in and devotion to all of his players is very evident, and having a player like Spencer only heightens his joy. Many of the other coaches vied to have Spencer on their teams, and this makes Gonzalez feel very fortunate to have him, as well as proud of his fellow coaches. He adds, “Spencer really is a driving, uniting force for the team, and has been an encouragement to other children with disabilities far beyond just our local community”.

“We really do nothing for him, it is him doing so much for all of us!” is how Gonzalez puts it. “Parents of all children, whether they have special needs or not, need to encourage them to get involved in sports. Spencer is a great kid, but it’s his whole family who deserve gold medals. They are there for every game and practice, supporting him in his dream to play baseball. It’s the fears we have as parents that we need to get past to allow our kids to grow and face challenges on their own. There will be times when we don’t think they can do it, but realize in the end it’s us the parents who have the fear, not the children. “

Adding to this, Gonzalez tells us what Spencer has taught him as a coach?  “Spencer brought me back to where I started back in 92’, and to remembering that this is just a game and having fun and the opportunity to play baseball is what it’s all about. The icing on the cake is the fun we have along the way.”

Like any nine year old, Spencer Kimbro’s plans for his future occupation and aspirations are varied and ever changing, however with a positive attitude and spirited determination such as his, we can be sure he will do great things, and anything that he sets his mind and heart to do. It is not about what is impossible with him; it’s all about the possibilities.