June 2nd with the Chicago White Sox
Mitchell Udowitz
The main purpose of Lou Gehrig Day was to raise awareness of ALS across the nation, and I want to express my deep gratitude to the Chicago White Sox management and all the workers who participated in that event. You have done this on a level that no one can ever reach.
When I was diagnosed with PLS (Primary Lateral Sclerosis), my world completely turned upside down to say the very least. After learning about this disease and that there is no cure one tends to look at the world very differently, just as the world now looks at me so very differently. Whether it’s because our society is not taught to understand people with a disability or because they are afraid they may catch something, people tend to look at and treat you differently and not always in a good way.
This was not the case at the White Sox game. Once I arrived at the stadium, I was greeted by the staff in a manner that was nothing less than absolutely stellar during the entire Lou Gehrig Day event. As they explained what I needed to do, not at any time did the staff ever treat me or my friends any differently than a person without a disability.
I have been a lifelong Chicago White Sox fan and this was absolutely something I will remember for the rest of my life. There are no words to express my extreme thanks to you for that evening.
June 15th with the Chicago Cubs
Scott Marsell
The friendly confines is the best place to watch a game. The Cubs just get it, it’s about the fans and the fan experience. Wrigley field is a national treasure and an experience in itself, combine that with the team so many people grew up watching across the country because of WGN and Harry and no other team can compete with that. For me personally, it brings back great memories of watching my Cubs with my grandparents growing up.
The Cubs were at an away game on June 2nd, so they honored LG4Day later in the month. Considering that Wrigley field is one of my favorite places on earth, the experience at Lou Gehrig’s Day was good. And we got to see the W flag fly. Woohooo!
To be perfectly honest, I feel like the celebration of Lou and the awareness of ALS could be more emphasized during the game. ALS United Illinois does a great job in Gallagher Way to spread the word. Major League Baseball is missing out on a great opportunity to really spread awareness on this awful disease. Too many people don’t truly understand what ALS is.
Being in the Batter’s Eye suite was a unique experience and I’m glad we were in there as it was a chilly evening and when I get chilly all my limbs shake. I would have been miserable out in the chilly air of the bleachers. But getting the Win for my wife Sarah’s first Wrigley experience was awesome. Plus being able to sit and chat with staff member Sam and her fiancé during the game was very cool.
To the Cubs players and staffers, I would like to say thank you for making the day happen. Please continue to put forth the effort to raise awareness so we can rid this world of the disease. We have a lot of work to still do and keep up the valiant effort that you are already doing. We need more help and without all of you and your passion, we won’t find a cure. It takes a village to fix this and let’s make this the biggest village anyone has ever seen. But mostly just thank you for caring.