By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES - They say home is where the heart is. It's your comfort zone, it's relaxing, it's where all of your personal stuff is, it's where your family is….it's you!
That's why it's no surprise that Craig Flint's only wish is to come home, but its not as easy as it seems.
Craig, who has lived in Niles all of his life and graduated from Niles High School in the early 80's, has been paralyzed and in a wheel chair residing in various nursing homes and hospitals since 2000.
Craig suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was robbed in South Bend, Ind. five years ago. Doctor's said he would probably never be functionable again, but he fooled them. While he is restricted to a wheel chair, Criag has limited speech and has proved he is well enough to come home.
Amazed at his recovery and progress, Craig's doctors have given him permission to do just that. The only problem is that Craig's home is not handicap accessible.
Wheel chair ramps need to be put in and a lot of other construction has to be done to his home on White Street, which he shares with his family, before he can come home.
Flyers made by Craig's mother, Joyce Flint, were sent to various businesses and organizations a few months ago in an attempt to bring Craig home, but not enough money was raised for his dream to come true.
Whittaker's co-ed softball team, Michiana Christian Embassy, will take on Conrad's team, which will include some of the coaching staff and alumni from Brandywine High School.
Along with a "comical" softball game, which will feature some funny skits during innings and a sound system for those good…and not so good plays, this fun filled family day will also include a silent auction, games, food, a home run derby, dunk tank and much more.
Donations from area businesses like Niles Feed and Seed, Millennium, Williams, Hopper's Family Restaurant, and Wal-Mart have already been made, but both Whittaker and Conrad admitted that much more is needed.
This is just a grass roots. A throw $20 in a bucket type of event," Whittaker said. "The goal is to raise enough money to pay for a construction company to come in and make all the changes that need to be made," Whittaker added.
The softball game will begin at 3 p.m. this Saturday, Aug. 13 at the Michiana Christian Embassy with the home run derby beginning at 2:30 p.m.
If you have any questions, wish to make a donation or need any other information, contact Jim Conrad at 684-6360 or 269-362-1622.