Feature Writer John Christie – Surprised Woman Gets To Meet Yankees
Jane Lang traveled to a Yankees game as she always does with her guide dog named Clipper to the Morris Plains train station on a particular Tuesday. However, this Tuesday would be different because the Yankees would be accompanying her.
The Yankees who met her at her home and went to the train station included Manager Joe Girardi, pitchers Joba Chamberlain, David Robertson, Chad Gaudin, and former Yankee Tino Martinez.
To say the least, Lang was surprised to see them there.
The Yankees give back to the community as part of Hope Week, which stands for Helping Others Persevere and Excel.
Lang is totally blind but this doesn’t prevent her from enjoying the game. She brings a radio to the game and reacts to the action on the playing field by listening to Yankee broadcasts.
Lang doesn’t think of herself as totally blind, The Yankee manager agrees.
“She’s obviously a person who’s very humble,” Girardi said while waiting for the train. “She was saying she didn’t think Hope Week was for someone like her.”
Gaudin was also impressed by her approach to life. “She’s excited about being alive … That’s the inspiration she gives everybody,” he said.
While at her home, the Yankees gave her a bouquet of flowers. Lang couldn’t believe this was happening. She couldn’t see the Yankees but she knew them from hearing them on TV.
Everybody in the borough knew about the Yankee visit but Lang. “Hey guys! What do you think?” she called to them. “I was so surprised.”
Lang is an inspiration to everyone. She doesn’t let her blindness get the best of her and she enjoys her life to the fullest. She takes the train and enjoys the Yankee games both at home and at Yankee stadium. She is a great example of what we should all be: easy going.
More people, sighted or not, should take a page from her book and realize that a positive and laid back attitude will simply make for a much better quality of life.
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