Kickball game raises awareness of illness
By Kyle LoJacono
The inaugural Pride of the Parkway kickball game between staff at Pine View Elementary and Middle schools raised $1,000 to fight juvenile diabetes and brought out 400 spectators.
The second rendition is Friday, May 6 at Pine View Middle’s track, 5344 Parkway Blvd. in Land O’ Lakes, at 4:30 p.m. and will raise awareness of and money for research to fight a lesser known condition, eosinophilic esophagitis (EE).
“We picked it because we have a fifth grader at Pine View Elementary named Remington (Walls) who has it and his mother (Stephanie) is a teacher at the middle school,” said Karen Turman, a physical education teacher at Pine View Elementary. “It’s a great cause and it’s a learning experience for everyone. Most people know what diabetes is, but not many know about EE.”
EE is a condition that begins with an increase in a certain kind of white blood cell called eosinophils in the esophagus, the throat. Those blood cells attack any food a person swallows and then continues to damage the esophagus, according to the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED).
The disease has made it impossible for Remington, 11, to eat any solid food. He instead has 14-18 drinks per day that have the vitamins, minerals and the nutrition he needs.
Unfortunately for Remington, the drinks do not taste very good. He said they start out tasting like orange mixed with pineapple, but have a bad aftertaste. An added irritation is they need to be kept refrigerated.
“It’s been too long since I tried to eat solid foods,” Remington said. “I don’t remember what it’s like to eat food. … I just remember getting bad pains in my chest after I ate.”
Along with the pain, other common EE symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing, loss of appetite, anemia, difficulty sleeping, weight loss and stunted growth. The symptoms are not specific to EE and vary widely, so most people are misdiagnosed as having acid reflux or other diseases. There is no accurate estimation of how many people in the United States have the disease.
Stephanie said EE has created its different challenges for the family.
“The little things most people do around food are different for us,” Stephanie said. “We can’t have a traditional family dinner, so Rem brings his drinks to the table with us.”
Pine View Middle teacher Beth Neri has known the Walls for several years.
“You wouldn’t know Remy had a problem,” Neri said. “He looks like a normal, healthy kid. He has a lot of inner strength.”
Turman, who has taught Remington, said she does not think she would have been able to handle the challenges Remington faces each day.
“It would be very hard to go to lunch with everyone and not eat with them,” Turman said. “Then you have birthday parties when kids have cupcakes. The kids accept him though and treat him like everyone else.”
Remington plays several sports, but his favorite is baseball. He plays second base in the Land O’ Lakes Little League. While he will not play in the kickball game, he will be rolling out the first pitch.
All money raised at the event will go to APFED. The cost is $2 for adults, $1 for kids. There will also be children’s games for $1 and concessions sold. Families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets to watch the game, which has more than just bragging rights on the line.
The winning team will get a street sign reading “Pride of the Parkway” to display in front of its school. The middle school won 6-1 in 2010.
“We’re already tossing some thoughts between the schools,” Neri said. “We don’t want to have to dig up the sign and see it over there all year.”
Turman sees it as a good way to create ties between the schools.
“It’s building team spirit between the teachers,” Turman said. “Also, the principal of the losing school has to do lunch duty at the other school one day. We have a new principal (Judy Cosh), so we have pressure to keep her from paying up.”
Cosh, who will play in the game, is hoping beginners luck will be on her side.
“Our goal is to get the sign,” Cosh said. “It’s a great idea to raise some money for a good cause. Our kids have been very accepting of Remington and you wouldn’t know he had any problem. Hopefully the game will teach more people about it.”
People or businesses can donate to the cause by calling Neri at (813) 794-4800. For more information, call Turman at (813) 794-0600.
More information about EE can be found at www.apfed.org.
Second annual Pride of the Parkway
When: May 6 at 4:30 p.m.
Where: Pine View Middle’s track
Address: 5344 Parkway Blvd. in Land O’ Lakes
Admission: $2 adults, $1 for children
