Mariners Hit it Out of the Park for Wish Kid Seton

He undergoes that same routine before bed and takes several additional enzymes and medications throughout the day.

He does this 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Living with medical complexity is just normal life for Seton and his family.

Diagnosed with a life-threatening respiratory condition in utero, Seton was born by emergency c-section due to a complication frequently experienced by children with his condition. He spent his first two weeks of life undergoing treatments and living in the NICU. He was later diagnosed with a gastrointestinal disorder that adds another layer of complication to his prognosis.

Despite a lifetime of doctor’s appointments and taking life-saving medication and treatments daily, Seton and his family lead typical lives. And what could be more typical than enjoying the American pastime of baseball?

But for Seton, baseball is more than just a game. It’s a form of emotional and physical therapy that helps get him through the trials and tribulations of his life.

Seton is passionate about baseball and plays on his competitive 11U team fielding balls on the infield. “Baseball gives him a community of close friends and fosters a sense of pride that he can compete despite his daily challenges,” said Sarah and Jeff, his mom and dad. “It motivates him to continue with his nutritional and respiratory care even when he doesn’t feel like it.  Physically, baseball helps with lung capacity, aerobic fitness, and muscle building.  All of which contribute to better health outcomes.”

This game has truly become the center of their family’s life. “We watch baseball together 162 nights of the year,” said Jeff. And what team do they watch? The Mariners, of course!

Seton loves to watch baseball at the highest level, seeing his favorite M’s on the diamond-- JP Crawford, Logan Gilbert and Julio Rodriguez. But, he also has a fascination with player and game stats and loves listening to the commentators and reporters banter about the game that has given him so much.  

So, it’s hard to believe that when Make-A-Wish volunteers first presented the idea of a wish to him, he drew a blank. “I’m not sure he understood what was being offered, or what was possible,” his parents said. “I think that it can be hard sometimes for kids with serious medical conditions to let themselves dream big. Dreams and wishes are fed by imagination and hope, and for kids like Seton, those can be tough to reconcile with reality.”