Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Man With Down Syndrome Fulfills Life Goal, Sings National Anthem At Red Sox Game



by Ryan Grenoble from The Huffington Post:

Many people dream of singing the national anthem at a major sports event, but few can do it with a spirit rivaling Michael Mullins.
Mullins, a 38-year-old die-hard Red Sox fan, has Down syndrome. Last week, he realized a dream he's had for nearly a decade: Singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Fenway Park, capacity 37,400, to open for the Red Sox.
According to the Metro West Daily News, Mullins has spent the last 10 years singing the national anthem for a minor league team, and four years lobbying the Red Sox for a chance to sing at Fenway. He's been helped along by the Michael Lisnow Respite Center in Hopkinton, Mass., where he lives.
"Nope, I'm not nervous," he told Boston's WCVB in an interview before the big day. "Piece of cake."
"He is so excited. This is the biggest day of his life," added center director Sharon Lisnow.
A video of the performance, uploaded May 3, features Mullins proudly belting out the national anthem, even throwing in some vibrato here and there. He's flanked by Dan Cloutier and Arva Ferguson, who regularly sing with him at the Respite Center. The video description reads:
This video literally captures a dream coming true as Mike raises awareness for adults with disabilities while showcasing his amazing singing ability. Please share this video to raise more awareness and promote an amazing dream coming true.
Fittingly, reports Metro West, Mullins' favorite part of the national anthem is the song's last line, a word he stretches out, hanging it proudly in the air. That word? "Brave."

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