It's time to reframe what it means to be an athlete | Taylor Duncan | TEDxAtlanta

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  • Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
  • Taylor Duncan, founder of the Alternative Baseball Organization, challenges our perspective of what it means to be an athlete. Since his autism diagnosis at age 4, Taylor often wasn’t allowed to play baseball
    due to preconceived notions about those on the spectrum. Undeterred, Taylor improved his technique by working with some of the best players in baseball and slowpitch softball.
    Today, Taylor’s organization is comprised of 18 teams in 12 states, with expansion plans in both the US and Canada. The organization enables teens and adults on the spectrum and with other special needs break barriers and change perceptions.
    In 2018, the Georgia House of Representatives recognized Taylor for his contributions and in 2019, the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame presented him with the J.B. Hawkins Humanitarian Award. Taylor Duncan founded Alternative Baseball Organization in 2016. Diagnosed with autism at age 4, Taylor is at the forefront of changing what it means to be an athlete.
    Growing up, he often wasn’t allowed to play baseball due to preconceived notions of persons with autism. Undeterred, Taylor improved his technique by working with some of the best players in baseball and slowpitch softball .
    Today, Taylor’s organization is comprised of 18 teams in 12 states and growing with additional expansion plans to Canada. The organization enables teens and adults on the spectrum and with other special needs strive to break barriers and change perceptions through baseball..
    Taylor’s contributions were recognized by The Georgia House of Representatives in 2018. He was presented with the 2019 J.B. Hawkins Humanitarian Award by the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

КОМЕНТАРІ • 46

  • @sterlingmoore6032
    @sterlingmoore6032 5 місяців тому +2

    Hello Taylor! It's a pleasure to listen to this amazing and inspirational presentation. Know that your mind possesses zero limitations my friend. May God continue to bless you and others who strive to fight hard, overcoming doubting minds. Quite inspiring indeed!

  • @cwguillot
    @cwguillot 3 роки тому +6

    Great job, Taylor! Very impressive! Thanks for your transparency and passion.

  • @wandamccauley
    @wandamccauley 5 років тому +7

    My brother is on the spectrum, and wasn't allowed into many sports. Thanks you are doing a lot of good for some good people

    • @marvintowns9549
      @marvintowns9549 5 років тому +2

      he is doing a lot for all of us

    • @taylorduncan4825
      @taylorduncan4825 5 років тому

      @@marvintowns9549 Thank ya'll so much for your support! Let me know if you're ever in the Atlanta area... Would love to show you around and introduce you to some of the folks here.

    • @joedominguez4613
      @joedominguez4613 5 років тому +1

      @@taylorduncan4825 we are right behind you Taylor, so cool that you reply. Do you guys have a website showing where you play and how others can join?

  • @volunteernebraska6025
    @volunteernebraska6025 3 роки тому +4

    Great message Taylor! No doubt you are on a mission! Your energy is contagious!

  • @elizabethkrenik2175
    @elizabethkrenik2175 5 років тому +8

    Look at the Able, NOT the Label! Taylor is an inspiration who makes everyone welcome, where everyone wins!

    • @rogerbisby6934
      @rogerbisby6934 5 років тому +1

      more abled than most of us

    • @marvintowns9549
      @marvintowns9549 5 років тому +2

      yes yes yes - this young man is a fine young man period

  • @JacquiChew
    @JacquiChew 5 років тому +8

    This was such an enthusiastic talk about possibilities when a differently abled person is treated with the respect that is afforded to all and given similar opportunities.

    • @rickygrays
      @rickygrays 5 років тому +1

      he earned respect with me right here

    • @rainithacker
      @rainithacker 5 років тому +1

      I loved this talk, what a great young man

  • @codybrandoncargle3129
    @codybrandoncargle3129 5 років тому +8

    Taylor you rocked it man and straight out of the park, I want to show this video eventually to the people of Panama City Beach that do have autism such as myself and possibly get a program setup here including spread this message to rest of Florida and elsewhere as well! 👍🏻

  • @lesliea.1019
    @lesliea.1019 Рік тому +3

    Truly an inspiration

  • @rainithacker
    @rainithacker 5 років тому +8

    who dislikes a video like this? hands down one of the best videos I have watched in years

  • @phyllishack
    @phyllishack 5 років тому +9

    You are a lovely young man Taylor, you would make me proud being my son.

  • @joedominguez4613
    @joedominguez4613 5 років тому +7

    This is freaking awesome, I heard these guys played against some former pro's and did really well. freaking awesome

    • @AlternativeBaseball
      @AlternativeBaseball 5 років тому +1

      It was a great game for sure, we're gonna get it up on our channel very soon actually.

    • @joedominguez4613
      @joedominguez4613 5 років тому +1

      @@AlternativeBaseball ill be watching for it man

  • @marvintowns9549
    @marvintowns9549 5 років тому +5

    You are an inspiration man ... to EVERYONE

  • @23sugakane
    @23sugakane 5 років тому +6

    Taylor....this is AWESOME. You represent D44 Toastmasters exceptionally well🤗🤗

    • @phyllishack
      @phyllishack 5 років тому +2

      He is a very good young man, God should make more of him

    • @juneedgin7151
      @juneedgin7151 5 років тому +2

      You really must be proud of him, he is delightful

  • @rogerbisby6934
    @rogerbisby6934 5 років тому +5

    You are a champion Taylor

  • @gobigorgohome1161
    @gobigorgohome1161 5 років тому +5

    Great Talk - you are a ballplayer no question

  • @vanessachatelain9560
    @vanessachatelain9560 3 роки тому +3

    Excellent job Taylor!

  • @stanleysisk1636
    @stanleysisk1636 5 років тому +4

    Attitude is everything and our systems my friend like to keep people in their so called rightful place. Imagine having these smartass autism kids telling the truth and asking smart questions out loud! Wouldn’t that shake up and wake up the world.

  • @rickygrays
    @rickygrays 5 років тому +5

    man of man oh man, you got it bro.