Team Iron Will—an organization’s whose mission is “to champion the intrinsic value of individuals with Down syndrome, from the moment of conception onward, as they fulfill God’s purpose for their lives”—is gearing up for its second annual Wiffle Ball Tournament.
Held on the grounds at St. Gianna Church in Wentzville, Missouri (outside of St. Louis), on August 29, this tournament is a beautiful opportunity to support families of people with Down syndrome. In collaboration with NWA Wiffle Ball, Team Iron Will hopes that this fun event will raise awareness of Down syndrome and earn some much-needed funds for families within the Down syndrome community who cannot afford therapy equipment or classes.
The day of fun starts at 9:00 AM with the tournament portion of the event, with divisions available for all ages and skill levels. A community event that includes lawn games, kids’ home run derby, face painting, balloon animals, snow cones, and more begins at 11:00 AM.
Catherine Daub, cofounder of Team Iron Will along with her husband Andrew, explained that they are hoping for another great turnout this year, as “families who attend can find community and new friends and will learn about Team Iron Will’s mission and how we can help their children thrive.”
Last year, about 150 people attended the event, and TIW is expecting double that this year. Additionally, 14 Wiffle ball teams participated last year, and so far this year 20 have registered.
This is a great opportunity for people within the local community to serve as the hands and feet of Christ here on earth and to support families who need assistance. Catherine explained that all proceeds from this event, including sponsorships and registration fees, support Team Iron Will’s efforts to serve the Down syndrome community by providing medical, therapeutic, and adaptive equipment; therapy scholarships; educational opportunities; and connection with those in the community.
Team Iron Will, founded by the Daubs after William, their eighth child, was born with Down syndrome, exists to advocate for those within the Down syndrome community, as the Daubs are well aware of the fears and misconceptions regarding DS. And they also know the sad truth that in the US between 60 and 90% of babies prenatally diagnosed with Down syndrome are aborted before birth. Tragically, that number reaches almost 100% in some other countries.
TIW wants that number to be zero, and it has already made a significant impact on the Down syndrome community. Since its inception in 2022, it has served families in 47 states and 41 countries, reached more than 125 million people online, awarded 177 therapy scholarships, and delivered 578 life-changing items. Additionally, it has conducted almost 30 educational webinars and launched its Down Syndrome Medical Advocacy Project, a program that “connects individuals with Down syndrome and their families with accurate information, trusted medical and therapeutic resources, and a vetted nationwide network of providers who recognize their full personhood and deliver informed, compassionate care worthy of that dignity—from conception through adulthood.”
An annual Wiffle ball tournament is the perfect way to spread the joy that their son Will brings to their lives. Catherine shared that Team Iron Will chose this type of tournament because the sport has been a big hit (literally) in their house for several years. Catherine stated, “Several of our older boys play competitively and have done so since Will was born, so Wiffle ball is something that Will loves. We wanted TIW to be a different kind of organization, and while a lot of groups do walks or golf tournaments, we wanted to do something that would resonate with young adults too.”
This year, TIW has added a raffle to the special events of the day. Catherine explained that it’s “a way for all of the companies Team Iron Will has built relationships with to get involved, and it’s a way for people to donate but also have a chance at winning amazing prizes.” She continued, “We also wanted a way to highlight some companies that people might not realize are such great friends to the Down syndrome community.”
TIW has currently raised over $3,000 and hopes to raise $5,000 before the raffle ends. By doing so, they can help more families get the therapeutic equipment they need.
Catherine said that one of the main goals of TIW is to spread awareness that our culture should not fear Down syndrome. And while those with DS may need extra help physically, verbally, or in other ways, when you presume competence, as TIW does, kids with Down syndrome can accomplish so much. She said:
We hope the community at large learns and sees firsthand what an incredible gift people with Down syndrome are and how capable and amazing they are. There will be some people attending who have never met anyone with Down syndrome, and we are excited to have them meet some of our amazing friends and family who rock an extra chromosome. The world has some really false ideas about what it means to have DS, and we know that the best way to bust those myths is to spend time with people who have Down syndrome. So we hope some who come will walk away with a new perspective and join us in our advocacy.
Team Iron Will has already changed countless lives, and through this fun tournament, it hopes the community at large will come to understand that people with Down syndrome are defined not by a diagnosis but by their talents, personalities, dreams, and the joy they bring to their families and to the world.
Learn more about the TIW Second Annual Wiffle Ball Tournament at teamironwill.org/wiffleball.
This article first appeared in LifeSiteNews at lifesitenews.com/opinion/people-with-down-syndrome-are-not-defined-by-their-diagnosis/?utm_source=most_recent.
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