Muller: Story of Austin Hatch Puts Sports In Perspective
By Shawn Muller-
(CBS) Austin Hatch, a Junior-to-be at Canterbury High School in Fort Wayne, IN, should be on top of the world right now.
The 6'6'', 214 pound forward, who averaged 23 points and nine boards last year in his sophomore season, is one of the top players in the 2013 class, and just gave an oral commitment to play his college basketball at the University of Michigan.
Yes, one could say that the future appears bright for Mr. Hatch.
But what if I were to tell you that instead of focusing on winning state championships in his final two years of high school, getting his driver's license, and living without a care in the world, this young man is involved in the biggest game of all?
Fighting for his life.
Unfortunately, his story doesn't end there.
What if I were to tell you that even if he does pull through, he will have to live out the rest of his years without the help and guidance of his parents and siblings?
Sadly, if the young man does survive from injuries he sustained in a plane crash, this will be the new reality for Mr. Hatch.
Last week, Austin was flying with his father, Dr. Stephen Hatch, and his step mother, when the single engine plane being piloted by Dr. Hatch, crashed in Charlevoix, Michigan, killing both parents, and leaving the young boy in critical condition.
What makes this story even more tragic is that this isn't the first plane crash Austin has survived... and lost loved ones.
In 2003, a plane crash—also piloted by his father-- killed the young man's mother and his two siblings.
The more I read about this story, the more I just shake my head in disbelief.
A young man with his whole life ahead of him, his hopes and dreams yet to be fulfilled, will not have his immediate family around to share in his journey.
Losing one parent or a sibling in an accident would be bad enough. But to lose both parents, a stepmother, and two siblings in two separate plane crashes? That would be unbearable.
So many times, we are all guilty of taking our lives—and the lives of the ones we love—for granted. We argue with loved ones without a second's thought. We don't always take the time to fully appreciate how lucky we are to have mothers and fathers, and brothers and sisters, who care so much about us, be a part of our lives.
We think that no matter what, they will always be there.
But in a flash, everything can change.
Nothing is more important in life than family. Not the Cubs being one of the worst teams in baseball. Not the NFL labor dispute. Not the Chicago Bears losing to the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Championship game.
Nothing.
At the time I began writing this, Austin Hatch remained in critical but stable condition.
He has been in a drug-induced coma since the accident occurred, but the good news is that his condition has not worsened since that horrific Friday night.
According to CaringBridge, a non-profit organization that helps families disclose serious medical information, "Austin is still in ICU. His condition remains critical but stable. A recent CT scan shows no worsening in his condition. The major objective is to minimize stimulation to allow him to heal."
Keep on battling young man.
We are all cheering for you.
If you would like to send Austin and his family well-wishes, please go to his page on CaringBridge.org.
Do you agree with Shawn? Post your comments below.
Shawn Muller has lived in the great city of Chicago for 7 years. He is a 2002 graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and, in October of 2010, Shawn received his certificate in radio broadcasting. In his free time, Shawn enjoys spending time with his wife Melissa and 3 year old daughter Ava, catching any live sporting event, and traveling. Check out his radio show, Grab Some Bench with Muller and Bangser" every Thursday night at 8:30 P.M., at www.blogtalkradio.com/spmuller24. Read more of his blogs here.
