Children, can't live through them; can't live without them

[Oilersfan34]

So, even though my daughter is on her way to adult-hood and is now a "college-kid" I just wanted to share the story of my nephew, Hunter Grey Ratcliffe.

He was born on May 11, 1995 (Mother's Day) to my younger sister and her hubby, Jeff, in Winter Haven, FL. The doctors knew something was seriously wrong with his heart and rushed him via Bayflight to All Children's Hospital in St. Pete, FL. They diagnosed him with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (no left ventricle) and immediately began looking for a heart to perform a transplant. 1 month later, on June 5 1995, he became the first pediatric heart tranplant patient at All Children's Hospital, making history.

16 years later, he is doing well and playing football for the Lake Region Thunder as place kicker. Below is a video I'd like to share with you all! He's an amazing guy and I love him with all my "heart."

http://video.tbo.com/v/57232313/tran...nter+ratcliffe

AWESOME!!! Thanks for sharing that!!!

[Jaws]

So, even though my daughter is on her way to adult-hood and is now a "college-kid" I just wanted to share the story of my nephew, Hunter Grey Ratcliffe.

He was born on May 11, 1995 (Mother's Day) to my younger sister and her hubby, Jeff, in Winter Haven, FL. The doctors knew something was seriously wrong with his heart and rushed him via Bayflight to All Children's Hospital in St. Pete, FL. They diagnosed him with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (no left ventricle) and immediately began looking for a heart to perform a transplant. 1 month later, on June 5 1995, he became the first pediatric heart tranplant patient at All Children's Hospital, making history.

16 years later, he is doing well and playing football for the Lake Region Thunder as place kicker. Below is a video I'd like to share with you all! He's an amazing guy and I love him with all my "heart."

http://video.tbo.com/v/57232313/tran...nter+ratcliffe

Wow. That is so inspiring and makes me smile

Don't have any of my own kids, I do have two nieces and another niece/nephew on the way. Whilst sometimes they drive me absolutely insane, they have hearts of gold and I couldn't live without them!

I keep telling my younger brother and sister to get a move on. I want to be an Auntie!

On the other hand, I keep telling my 22 year old son and his 17 year old gf that I do NOT want to be Granny! Not for a few good years at least

[EvertonBroncos]

Don't have any of my own kids, I do have two nieces and another niece/nephew on the way. Whilst sometimes they drive me absolutely insane, they have hearts of gold and I couldn't live without them!

[FLBroncFan]

So, even though my daughter is on her way to adult-hood and is now a "college-kid" I just wanted to share the story of my nephew, Hunter Grey Ratcliffe.

He was born on May 11, 1995 (Mother's Day) to my younger sister and her hubby, Jeff, in Winter Haven, FL. The doctors knew something was seriously wrong with his heart and rushed him via Bayflight to All Children's Hospital in St. Pete, FL. They diagnosed him with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (no left ventricle) and immediately began looking for a heart to perform a transplant. 1 month later, on June 5 1995, he became the first pediatric heart tranplant patient at All Children's Hospital, making history.

16 years later, he is doing well and playing football for the Lake Region Thunder as place kicker. Below is a video I'd like to share with you all! He's an amazing guy and I love him with all my "heart."

http://video.tbo.com/v/57232313/tran...nter+ratcliffe

[Oilersfan34]

Looks like he's got a good kick on him and you can see his passion in those photos

Thanks. He has really been working on his kick offs. My 13's side has reeled off 4 wins in a row by an average of 13 / 4 and we are poised to make some noise in the state championships this weekend. If they can play good solid rugby they have a pretty decent shot at the title. We beat the Denver Lions yesterday pretty handily 14/6 with 7 guys and it looks like we will have only 7 all next weekend.

[Jaws]

Looks like he's got a good kick on him and you can see his passion in those photos

[Oilersfan34]

Some pics!

[Oilersfan34]

Another Brag.

Both son's were selected as Scrum Halves for the Denver Select Side Teams. We will be playing a couple games over the summer against other states select sides.

For those that aren't into rugby its basically an All-Star team. My 12 year old was selected out of almost 250 players and my 9 year old almost 325. My 12 year was also selected to play with the U13 / 15's a side in the fall.

[Oilersfan34]

Some comeback! Exhilarating to watch I'm sure. You should be well set for the season with a set of players that have that never say die attitude.

It was awesome Jaws. Experience will be the big issue as we play several teams in the next couple of weeks that return full teams. But I know my boys wont quit and thats a pretty good thing to have.

BTW. Does your son still play?

[Jaws]

Since you like rugby.

I coach U-13's and have 8 kids on my team (most others have 10-12) which gives me 1 sub if they all show up or if not we play with 7 or even a man down (like 2 weeks ago) and we were down 6 to 1 with 7 minutes left (we play 4--- 7 minute quarters) and we scored 5 tries (the last one on the last play of the match) and we won 1.5 minutes into OT.

I aint going to lie i actually broke up a little when talking to the kids. I have never witnessed such a quick turn around in any game I have ever seen.

For those that dont get rugby lets say the Broncos were down 42-7 and scored 5 TD's in 7 minutes then won it in OT.

Thats exactly what they did.

we are 1-1 in league now and should play pretty well the rest of the year.

Some comeback! Exhilarating to watch I'm sure. You should be well set for the season with a set of players that have that never say die attitude.

[Oilersfan34]

Cool pic, O34.

I just finished up my coaching stint for my older boy (pics of him in this thread). He heads to high school in the fall. I've coached him since he was a 4yo (10 years!!). I can say without reservation that I teared up after our final game on Sunday afternoon as I watched his teammates & him walk back across the field after being congratulated by the parents.

Thats awesome Flats. It has its rewards and disadvantages but I have always enjoyed coaching my kids and doing the best I could to make sure I didn't treat them any better (or worse) than anyone elses.

Although sometimes its easier to get on your own kid if they are jacking around.

[Flatlander Fan]

Cool pic, O34.

I just finished up my coaching stint for my older boy (pics of him in this thread). He heads to high school in the fall. I've coached him since he was a 4yo (10 years!!). I can say without reservation that I teared up after our final game on Sunday afternoon as I watched his teammates & him walk back across the field after being congratulated by the parents.

[Oilersfan34]

Since you like rugby.

I coach U-13's and have 8 kids on my team (most others have 10-12) which gives me 1 sub if they all show up or if not we play with 7 or even a man down (like 2 weeks ago) and we were down 6 to 1 with 7 minutes left (we play 4--- 7 minute quarters) and we scored 5 tries (the last one on the last play of the match) and we won 1.5 minutes into OT.

I aint going to lie i actually broke up a little when talking to the kids. I have never witnessed such a quick turn around in any game I have ever seen.

For those that dont get rugby lets say the Broncos were down 42-7 and scored 5 TD's in 7 minutes then won it in OT.

Thats exactly what they did.

we are 1-1 in league now and should play pretty well the rest of the year.

[Oilersfan34]

13 tries in 4 games is amazing! We better sign him right now for one of our regional sides here in Wales He looks very competitive and not lacking in grit!

Dont get me wrong Jaws... I love watching the Welsh play. But this boy is an Eagle. :thumb:

I am seriously competitive and he seems to have inherited that. When that ball gets kicked he hits this switch and he gets mean. Fun to watch...if your not a parent or kid from the other team. Comment from opposing parent on Saturday, "oh great that kid has the ball again, might as well just give him the bleeping try now"

[Jaws]

Brag photo's.

My 9 year old Logan playing rugby. He has scored 13 tries in 4 games. See previous email about him being insane. He plays like a man.



He ran through this kid, another arm tackle and juked a kid for about a 50 meter try.

My dreams are big for this one!

13 tries in 4 games is amazing! We better sign him right now for one of our regional sides here in Wales He looks very competitive and not lacking in grit!