East County 8-year-old doesn't let Down syndrome slow him down

With everyone in the stands at Lakewood Ranch Little League Park cheering his every stride, 8-year-old Cameron Cody rounded third base and headed toward home plate to score his first run for his team.

His East County Observer teammates quickly engulfed him, giving him hugs and high fives.

“I’m the man,” Cameron shouted.

His dad, Randy Cody, enjoyed the scene from near the dugout.

Randy Cody remembered back to the day he was told Cameron had Down syndrome. The father’s biggest hope was that Cameron would be included by his peers.

His hope has been realized. Cameron, obviously, has no trouble making friends.

Randy Cody said Cameron has become popular not because he is the only player in the eight-team league with Down syndrome, but because of his joyous spirit.

That is confirmed by others at the park.

“Cameron always is smiling and in a good mood,” said David Bay, president of Lakewood Ranch Little League.

All the other players and fans like Cameron just as much, and that makes Randy and Jeanne Cody ecstatic. The parents just want their son to be a “typical kid.”

“They don’t even recognize that he’s different,” Randy Cody said of those who go to the ballpark.

It wasn’t always so easy.

“When he first started playing baseball he would pick the grass and play with the dirt, and I would have to go out there and try to redirect his focus back to the game,” Randy Cody said.

Not any longer. Cameron loves the game.

He also loves basketball and that helps him blend into his neighborhood in GreyHawk Landing.

Randy Cody said the neighborhood kids have embraced his son, even if it means their pickup basketball games slow down.

“The kids will be playing an intense game, but when Cameron comes out they’ll stop what they’re doing and center the game around him,” Randy Cody said. “It is so heartwarming to see these kids including him and loving him.”

Nic Penker, 12, met Cameron four years ago.

“When we hang out, he does what we do and we do what he does,” Penker said. “And he’s not like typical kids who can get on each other’s nerves.”

Evan Johnson and his brother, CJ, have known Cameron for five years along with Cameron’s four brothers and sisters, Peyton (17), Ryan (16), Jake (11) and Gracielynn (6).

“When we moved into the neighborhood, we liked to play with Cameron’s brother, Jake,” Evan Johnson said. “One day Cameron started to play with us, and we really started to like him a lot.”

The Johnsons said it was the first time they hung out with someone who has Down syndrome.

“Before I met him, I didn’t really know what it was,” CJ Johnson said. “I learned how it’s a disorder that some kids are born with and it is a pretty unique thing. That is what I think is pretty cool about him.”

When CJ Johnson, who is now 13, was a seventh-grader, he wrote a speech about Down syndrome for the Tropicana Speech Contest. It was inspired by his friendship with Cameron.

“It was about Down syndrome in general, and then I had a couple of different stories about Cameron and his characteristics,” he said. “He has a good sense of humor and he’s friendly.

“He is always happy, and that is what is pretty cool about him.”