A Jefferson City woman who has overcome spina bifida was one of 20 fans chosen to present rings to members of the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs during a Wednesday ceremony at Wrigley Field.
Grace Davis, 20, presented one of the diamond- and ruby-covered rings to Javier Bez, whose own sister had spina bifida, a birth defect where the spine develops improperly.
"It was amazing, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," she said. "It was really special. Javier said 'Hi,' and we hugged."
Davis, who is the manager for the Lincoln University softball team, also received a World Series baseball.
The people chosen to present the rings were primarily from the Chicago area. Grace was the farthest away from the Windy City to be selected from a contest the team conducted.
"Our friend Brandon McElwain (director of marketing at State Technical College of Missouri) helped us put together a video and the club saw it, and that's how we got there," said Matt Davis, Grace's father. "They found it unique that we were such Cub fans living in St. Louis Cardinal country."
Davis' family roots are in Illinois, with her grandparents growing up in Chicago, so they have always been Cubs fans and have been to Wrigley Field multiple times - but this was the first time Grace had been on the field.
Her room at home is a Cubs haven, and the family has the TV package that allows them to watch the Cubs throughout the season.
"I was calm the night they won at first, then when the final out came I was shaking because I was so excited," she said.
Davis' love of baseball developed even further with her longtime involvement in the Miracle League of Central Missouri. Sponsored by the Jefferson City Parks and Recreation Department and Jefferson City Evening Lions Club, the non-competitive baseball league for area school-aged children with physical and developmental disabilities or other conditions that keep them from participating in other baseball leagues is designed to help every child, regardless of age or ability, be successful and have fun.
Davis said she plans to participate again this year, and play is scheduled to start May 1.
Her father added her story will air on MLB Network next Wednesday.
"Evidently we made quite a connection," he said.