Photo by Rebecca Walden.
0313 a new normal
Hoover High School student Haley Hidgon received a prosthetic hand last year.
Sixteen-year-old Haley Higdon will throw out the first pitch for Hoover Central Softball’s Opening Day, but she won’t be using the same hand she used to throw the ball as a young softball player at Hoover Central Park.
Following a car accident that resulted in the loss of her fingers, Haley received a prosthetic hand. Since January, she has been hard at work in occupational therapy gaining the skill to use it.
The Hoover High School student will also serve as grand marshal for the Opening Day Parade, which begins at 9 a.m. on April 6. Her pitch will be on Field One at the parade’s end.
“I'm excited about throwing out the first pitch and a little nervous, but I'm going have fun doing it,” Haley said.
Naturally right-handed, Haley has surprised her softball coaches and teammates by demonstrating skillful play post-prosthesis. All along, throwing the pitch Saturday has been a goal that has kept her motivated in therapy.
For more on Hoover Central Softball and Opening Day events, visit Hooversoftball.com.
To learn more about Haley’s story, read “A new normal” from the Hoover Sun’s March issue.
