I am honored to be sharing this inspirational story of a man and his family who have been through a lot as an ex-Pro baseball player for the Colorado Rockies found out he had Parkinson’s Disease at a very early stage in his life and his career. I had the opportunity to hang out with Ben and his beautiful family up at Garden Vineyards to photograph them as they have a new addition to their family. We had such a great time and gorgeous weather! The bond between them is strong and beautiful and truly an inspiration.
A little about the beginning of his journey |
Ben was a peer of mine in high school and I remember his amazing athletic ability as he could pretty much play anything and everything damn well. Ben played for the Colorado Rockies when he found out he had Parkinson’s Disease and kept it a secret for as long as he could and played some great ball! They say Ben could’ve been the best Catcher to have ever played! retired in 2004 and announced his illness to the public. Ben and his family were up for an adventure and decided to get a very risky procedure done called Deep Brain Stimulation which he nearly died from, which in fact went for a second time the following year with great results!
“As it turns out, Ben Petrick lost one gift and found another”
Steve Wulf with ESPN
Ben has had remarkable results from his surgery and has been very active again in the community, playing baseball, coaching as well as speaking around the country. His most recent accomplishment is his book called 40,000 to One that talks about his journey, you can go find this book on Ben’s website HERE as well as read another amazing article about his ESPN story HERE What he has accomplished after he was diagnosed to me is more impressive then when he played professional baseball because of this determination to fight through the struggles of this strange disease.
One of my favorite quotes from Ben in the recent ESPN article:
“I remember a conversation I had with Michael J. Fox,” he says. “I asked him if he minded the stares in public, and he said — pardon my language — ‘F– vanity.'”
Update** Recent interview from today on KATU AM NW about his story.
Please join me for his Launch and book signing at Glencoe High School on June 3rd (I will have an update as to more information on that soon).
Thanks Ben & Kellie, you are amazing!
I love this because little miss was utterly embarrassed that her parents kissed and I love the expression she made!
