An emotional Freddie Freeman took off his helmet and waved to the gang at Dodger Stadium because the followers gave him a standing ovation earlier than his first at-bat on Monday night time.
It was simply considered one of a number of tear-jerking moments as Freeman returned to the Dodgers for the primary time since his 3-year-old son Maximus had been combating for his life after being recognized with Guillen-Barré syndrome, a uncommon neurological dysfunction.
Freeman had already cried when he walked into the clubhouse earlier within the day and noticed his teammates and the Dodgers teaching workers with T-shirts that had his title and quantity on the again and “#MaxStrong” written on the entrance.
The staff wore them in a present of solidarity with Freeman and his household throughout pregame exercises, a gesture that the All-Star first baseman mentioned “means lots.”
“Max is doing all proper … however he’s acquired to relearn how one can do just about the whole lot,” Freeman informed reporters throughout an emotional 30-minute press convention, based on the Los Angeles Occasions. “Horrible syndrome, Guillain-Barré … however it’s a great factor I’m right here, as a result of it means issues are trending higher. Nobody ought to must undergo this, particularly with a 3-year-old.”
Whereas Maximus’ restoration is way from over, Freeman’s son got here dwelling from the hospital on Saturday and had been trending in a optimistic route, one thing that wasn’t misplaced on Freeman and his spouse Chelsea, who’ve been by a harrowing ordeal watching what their son goes by.
Maximus had spent eight days in a pediatric intensive care unit and started bodily remedy a day later.
“He didn’t deserve this,” Freeman mentioned, per ESPN. “Nobody deserves this, anyone who goes by this. It’s not simply my household. We had been going each night time, and each room is stuffed within the [pediatric ICU]. And that’s heartbreaking. So many households are going by issues like this. We’re one of many fortunate ones that acquired Guillen-Barré that he may need a full restoration. There are children on the market who’re combating for his or her lives proper now. It simply places the whole lot in perspective.
“I do know Dodger followers don’t like this, however I might gladly strike out with the bases loaded within the backside of the ninth inning in Recreation 7 of the World Collection 300 million occasions in a row than see that once more. However he’s on his approach. He’s on his approach. It’s gonna be a protracted highway.”
The scenario for Maximus went from a limp to being unable to stroll on the night time of July 22 and he was first recognized with transient synovitis, earlier than Chelsea took him to the ER after he couldn’t sit up after which stopped consuming and consuming on July 24.
Freeman joined them within the ER that night time and Max was discharged at 3:30, however at a follow-up with Maximus’ doctor the subsequent day, the physician mentioned that the Freemans’ son wanted to go to the hospital instantly.
Freeman shortly circled after initially flying to Houston and joined his household at Kids’s Hospital of Orange County, the place inside two and a half hours Maximus was positioned on a ventilator and was in paralysis from his kneck down.
Two rounds of intravenous immunoglobulin, an immunotherapy used to combat towards Guillen-Barré, the subsequent day turned the tide and finally, the 3-year-old started to have the ability to shrug his shoulders.
The ventilator got here out on Wednesday and Freeman was capable of maintain his son for the primary time moments later.
“I can’t let you know how good that felt, to have the ability to maintain my son once more,” Freeman mentioned. “That was a particular time, simply understanding how laborious he fought in these 5 days. You recognize when he was born we had been making an attempt to determine a reputation; we needed to title two youngsters at the moment. Chelsea stumbled on Maxiumus. I’m like, ‘That’s a robust title.’ I didn’t know he was going to show me true inside 4 years of his life.”
Freeman mentioned on Monday earlier than the Dodgers hosted the Phillies that it felt like a “miracle” that his son is doing higher and that he’s again on the ballpark.
Maximus can sit up on his personal – an indication of a great baseline for restoration docs informed Freeman – however he might want to relearn to stroll.
