Amazing teenager belts anthem in Baltimore

BALTIMORE -- When the video came in earlier this summer, the Orioles couldn't help but feel a tug at the heartstrings. The same was true for everyone lucky enough to be in attendance at Camden Yards for Thursday afternoon's national anthem performed by 18-year-old Nicholas Nauman prior to Baltimore's 10-inning 4-2 loss to the Mariners.
Nauman, who attends Carroll Springs School in Westminster, Md., isn't your typical teenager. He was adopted as a 9-month-old infant from Ukraine and was born with a variety of medical problems, including cerebral palsy (spastic quadriplegia), a (repaired) cleft palate, cortical vision impairment (CVI) and mental retardation.
That hasn't stopped Nauman from winning a gold medal at the Special Olympics or from memorizing the national anthem, which he delivered with ease.
"It's amazing to me to have this little infant from Ukraine, to come to this country, everything he has accomplished, and to sing our national anthem," said Nick's mother, Maria. "That's amazing for us."
Nauman has never let himself be limited. He has run races with his father, Chris, and on Thursday checked another item off his list: being on the field of his favorite baseball team.
"Nick has difficulties that he's got to deal with every day," said Maria, who hopes Nauman, her eldest of six children, can continue to inspire others. "If just one other person sees him and says, 'You know what? Life's not perfect. But life is precious. God has a plan for you and you and you,' it will be a success, you know? It will all work out."