EAST CAMERON TOWNSHIP - A journey of nearly 150 miles starts today for Shana Neidig as she walks from her home in East Cameron Township to Citizen's Bank Park in Philadelphia to raise awareness about Tourette syndrome, a disease that affects her 12-year-old son.
"It's a complex disease and is often misunderstood," said Neidig. "My goal is to raise awareness and help bring a better understanding of the disease to kids. It's the least I can do for my boy."
With no sponsors and only the clothes on her back - including a shirt that says "For Kasey" - Neidig plans to start walking Route 61 around 8 a.m. and make her way towards Pottsville, stopping only to rest at night. Once at the stadium, she hopes to have attracted the attention of former Philadelphia Phillie Jim Eisenreich, who played major league baseball for 15 years with Tourette syndrome and founded the Jim Eisenreich Foundation for Children with Tourette Syndrome in 1996 as a way to help children with the disease achieve personal success.
Eisenreich also played for the Minnesota Twins, Kansas City Royals, Florida Marlins and Los Angeles Dodgers. In 1990, he was the first player to receive the Tony Conigliaro Award, which is given annually to a Major League Baseball player who has overcome a significant obstacle.
Neidig hopes to talk to Eisenreich and have him come to Mount Carmel Area High School and help educate her son's classmates about the rare disease.
"The kids will take notice to him," she said. "It would also be nice for him to meet my son and tell him it's an obstacle that doesn't have to hold him back."
Although choosing not to draw attention to himself, Neidig's son, Kasey Grohowski, is a three-sport athlete and a distinguished honors student as he enters the seventh grade. He recently pitched a game for Anthracite Fire Company with 13 strikeouts and dreams of playing in the major leagues.
"He's really driven to play baseball and would be really excited to meet (Eisenreich)," said Neidig.
Grohowski was recently diagnosed with a severe case of Tourette syndrome.
Neidig said it's hard for others kids to understand the disease because there are no physical attributes when a person is not having an episode. Episodes can be very shocking to others: Symptoms of Tourette syndrome can be as mild as an eye twitch or as severe as stomping one's feet and cursing uncontrollably.
"It's rough for him," said Neidig. "It's hard for other kids to understand."
The direct cause of Tourette syndrome is still unknown, and it is generally treated medically with antidepressants. Grohowski's parents are hesitant about such medication because they don't want to restrict their son's active lifestyle.
Neidig had the support of family and friends as she prepared for her journey. Victoria Steckler, who ran cross country with Neidig in high school, will be there to check on her friend's safety and occasionally join her on the walk. Steckler is confident that Neidig will accomplish her goal as she started her journey this morning.
"I knew Shana a long time," said Steckler. "When she sets out to do something, she does it."