Hailey was born missing three fingers. She has a rare disease called Poland syndrome. The syndrome causes people to be born with underdeveloped muscles on one side of the body and could cause abnormalities in the chest, shoulder, arm and hand, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Poland syndrome happens in about 1 in 20,000 newborns and more often in boys than girls, according to the NIH.
In 2014, Hailey's mother, Yong Dawson, asked officials at the University of Nevada Las Vegas if they could build her daughter a hand so she could ride a bike, WGN reported.
But that was only the first obstacle Hailey tackled. She wanted to start raising awareness of Poland syndrome, and to do that, she wanted to throw the first pitch at each ballpark in the major league.
So far she's done it 13 times, the latest Tuesday at the White Sox game against the Cleveland Indians in Chicago, WGN reported.
Dab on 'em, @haileys_hand! Hailey Dawson made her way to Guaranteed Rate Field last night on her #Journeyto30. pic.twitter.com/wxdQzd7Vau
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 13, 2018
Not only did she get to throw the first pitch, she also was given a batting glove by Chicago third baseman Yolmer Sanchez and an autograph from Pitcher Lucas Giolito, WGN reported.
>> Need something to lift your spirits? Read more uplifting news
Thank you @CarlosSan29 for giving Hailey your batting gloves. She loves it! @whitesox pic.twitter.com/x1DeMmKvw4
— Haileys_hand (@haileys_hand) June 13, 2018
The next game she’s appearing at is the St. Louis Cardinals for pitch number 14 Wednesday night.
See you tonight @Cardinals for pitch 14 of 30. Almost half way there :-) @MLB @PlayBall pic.twitter.com/FHAahAO7ia
— Haileys_hand (@haileys_hand) June 13, 2018
To follow Hailey's quest, click here.
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