University of Minnesota Athletics
Gophers Welcome Maisy Martindale
9/27/2014 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Sept. 27, 2014
Maisy and the Gopher in the News: WCCO | KSTP | KAAL
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota softball team has announced the signing of six-year-old Maisy Martindale of Elk River, Minn. to its roster through Team IMPACT.
Team IMPACT (Inspire, Motivate, Play Against Challenges Together) is a New England-based non-profit organization that aims at improving the quality of life for kids facing life-threatening illnesses by creating unparalleled team based support systems with area college athletic teams.
Martindale is excited to become to the newest Gopher to join the roster. She was adopted by Mark and Julie Martindale when she was one-year-old and they have provided a lot of love and support through all of Maisy's medical challenges.
When she was adopted, Maisy had had a tracheotomy and was on a ventilator both of which she had until 3-years-old. She has had 28 surgeries, three of which were skull reconstructions. In addition to her surgeries, she is pacemaker-dependent and has her nutrients supplemented with a g-tube.
In the next 1-2 years, Maisy will likely need another skull reconstruction and to have the battery in her pacemaker changed. Even with all Maisy has been through, she is a very social and outgoing little girl who touches everyone she meets. She truly epitomizes what it means to be a fighter and is sure to be an inspiration to all her teammates.
According to Maisy, her favorite number is 10, her favorite color is pink, and she loves Little Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls and pizza. When asked her favorite movie, it was a tie between Homeward Bound and Frozen. Her love of animal movies like Homeward Bound may come from the many pets her family has including two dogs (Diego and Breeze), cat (Milo), rabbit (Jet), pot bellied pig (Wilbur), three chickens, and many finches, parrotlets, and fish.
She loves the cartoon character Doc McStuffins and her TV show. Maisy once got to meet Minnesota Viking player Chad Greenway and he is now her favorite athlete. Maisy loves One Direction and especially Harry Styles. When not in school, Maisy enjoys swimming, crafts, singing, performing, and having fun with friends.
ABOUT TEAM IMPACT
Team IMPACT is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team. Team IMPACT children are drafted on to local college athletic teams and, in effect, become official members of the team from Draft Day through to Graduation.
At Team IMPACT, they envision a future where the lives of children facing the hardships associated with adverse issues and events will have access to expanded team-based support networks in order to significantly enhance their quality of life and to fill their lives with more love and laughter.
Team IMPACT also strives to provide team-based organizations everywhere an easy and efficient way to have a powerful impact on the lives of children in their community. Established in 2011, Team IMPACT has already matched over 400 children with collegiate teams, improving the quality of life of hundreds of courageous children and touching the lives of over 10,000 student athletes.
For more information, please visit: www.goteamimpact.org.
Maisy and the Gopher in the News: WCCO | KSTP | KAAL
MINNEAPOLIS - The University of Minnesota softball team has announced the signing of six-year-old Maisy Martindale of Elk River, Minn. to its roster through Team IMPACT.
Team IMPACT (Inspire, Motivate, Play Against Challenges Together) is a New England-based non-profit organization that aims at improving the quality of life for kids facing life-threatening illnesses by creating unparalleled team based support systems with area college athletic teams.
Martindale is excited to become to the newest Gopher to join the roster. She was adopted by Mark and Julie Martindale when she was one-year-old and they have provided a lot of love and support through all of Maisy's medical challenges.
When she was adopted, Maisy had had a tracheotomy and was on a ventilator both of which she had until 3-years-old. She has had 28 surgeries, three of which were skull reconstructions. In addition to her surgeries, she is pacemaker-dependent and has her nutrients supplemented with a g-tube.
In the next 1-2 years, Maisy will likely need another skull reconstruction and to have the battery in her pacemaker changed. Even with all Maisy has been through, she is a very social and outgoing little girl who touches everyone she meets. She truly epitomizes what it means to be a fighter and is sure to be an inspiration to all her teammates.
According to Maisy, her favorite number is 10, her favorite color is pink, and she loves Little Debbie Swiss Cake Rolls and pizza. When asked her favorite movie, it was a tie between Homeward Bound and Frozen. Her love of animal movies like Homeward Bound may come from the many pets her family has including two dogs (Diego and Breeze), cat (Milo), rabbit (Jet), pot bellied pig (Wilbur), three chickens, and many finches, parrotlets, and fish.
She loves the cartoon character Doc McStuffins and her TV show. Maisy once got to meet Minnesota Viking player Chad Greenway and he is now her favorite athlete. Maisy loves One Direction and especially Harry Styles. When not in school, Maisy enjoys swimming, crafts, singing, performing, and having fun with friends.
ABOUT TEAM IMPACT
Team IMPACT is a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening and chronic illnesses through the power of team. Team IMPACT children are drafted on to local college athletic teams and, in effect, become official members of the team from Draft Day through to Graduation.
At Team IMPACT, they envision a future where the lives of children facing the hardships associated with adverse issues and events will have access to expanded team-based support networks in order to significantly enhance their quality of life and to fill their lives with more love and laughter.
Team IMPACT also strives to provide team-based organizations everywhere an easy and efficient way to have a powerful impact on the lives of children in their community. Established in 2011, Team IMPACT has already matched over 400 children with collegiate teams, improving the quality of life of hundreds of courageous children and touching the lives of over 10,000 student athletes.
For more information, please visit: www.goteamimpact.org.
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