Photo courtesy of Alecia Cockrell.
0413 Aidan Cockrell
Aidan Cockrell plays T-ball in Homewood.Aidan Cockrell’s 28-inch stature has no effect on his passion for sports. Due to his achondroplasia, the most common type of dwarfism, he has endured two brain surgeries, a cerebral shunt stomach surgery and tubes in both ears, and he will eventually have to get a brace for one of his legs.
But don’t let his medical condition fool you. Aidan’s ever-growing knowledge of sports and dedication on the field has wowed many people. His doctors ask questions that even older sports fanatics would not know during his check-ups.
Aidan can tell you the number of each player in college and major league football and baseball. The Hall-Kent Elementary first grader has read six AR books about sports in the last few months.
“I have a dream to be a Major League Baseball star,” he said.
At a University of Georgia-University of Florida SEC Playoff baseball game, one of the Georgia baseball players threw him a ball and gave him his own personal hat after the game.
At that moment, Aidan knew that instead of just watching sports, he want to play them first hand. His mom was cautious due to his past surgeries, but she allowed him to play T-ball, basketball and soccer. His most memorable play was a home run in T-ball game. He cannot play football because the contact sport could interfere with his shunt, but he would love to play hockey one day.
Once, Aidan’s basketball teammates blamed for losing a game, but Aidan him remained dedicated. He did not say any negative things but instead went back home and practiced until he got better.
“That is what is so remarkable about Aidan — he never lets little things get in the way of what he truly loves to do,” said Alecia, Aidan’s mother.
Back in his hometown of Quitman, Miss., Aidan struggled to find acceptance. When heading to the local gym to apply for T-ball, the woman told Aidan that he could not play because it was a four years and older team, yet the signs read three years and older.
Aidan’s mother drove him 12 miles to the next town and signed him up there. He was the star of the team, and the coach even favored Aidan over his own grandchild on the team.
“People have picked on him for his size in the past, but he does not get angry,” Alecia said.“He just stands up for himself and lets it ride off his shoulders and that is extremely admirable.”
Two years ago, Aidan and Alecia moved to Homewood to be closer to his doctors, and he has been playing Homewood leagues ever since.
“I take queues from him,” Alecia said. “Even still being an adult, we can learn from children.”
