Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to root, root, and root for your Chicago Cubs or White Sox in 2010! Earlier in March, the Chicago White Sox have invited Peter and Margaret Martin, and their children Noah and Hanna to Glendale, Arizona to see Ozzie Guillen and the White Sox in action in training camp. Last winter’s Festival of Trees Holiday Gala, Ozzie stood up during the live auction and announced that the Martin Family were cordially invited to be his special guests at Spring Training. That’s not just the success story that made Noah famous at the Therapeutic School and Center for Autism Research, but he is managing to adapt to the many different services at Easter Seals.

When I first met the Martin Family at Easter Seals, they were determined for their son, Noah to live a normal life. Like me, Noah was rolled up like a ball in a corner when he first attended the Therapeutic School. Everything was difficult for Noah in the beginning, being non-verbal in the beginning and struggling to adapt, which reminded me of my frustrating days entering the Therapeutic School. As of right now, Noah is doing well in many different services and he is a shining star to the different students and staff.

When I first heard of Ozzie joining the Easter Seals Metropolitan Chicago Board of Directors, my jaw dropped. As a lifelong Sox fan, it was a good feeling for Ozzie to be involved in Easter Seals services in the Chicago area because he truly cares about the individuals living with autism. Whenever he and the White Sox organization visits the Therapeutic School, his first priority would be to see the children in the different classrooms because he has a huge heart for people with autism and believes they can make a huge impact in life successfully. It’s been almost two years since I met Noah and his family and he’s already making great progress at the Therapeutic School!

Congratulations to the Martin Family on getting this opportunity to meet Ozzie and your beloved Chicago White Sox!

Maurice Snell